Projects funded will expunge criminal records in Louisville, expand NYC corporate pro bono, link service providers in Michigan, and create “clinics in a box” in DC
WASHINGTON (May 6, 2019) –– The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Foundation has announced the recipients of its inaugural Pro Bono Jumpstart (PBJ) Fund. PBJ grant recipients will launch new, innovative pro bono efforts in New York City; Louisville, Kentucky; Michigan; and the Washington, DC area.
The ACC Foundation supports the mission of ACC, the global legal association representing more than 45,000 in-house counsel in 85 countries. Under the newly launched PBJ Fund, up to US$50,000 will be awarded annually to ACC Chapters that “jump start” pro bono efforts in their areas. So far, four ACC chapters within the United States have received over US$35,000 this year: New York City, Kentucky, Michigan, and National Capital Region.
ACC New York City (ACC-NYC) started a training program called “Clinic in a Box,” where volunteer lawyers train to assist nonprofits or small businesses. ACC-NYC will partner with the Pro Bono Institute. The volunteers will receive several hours of training and work a half-day in the clinic, advising small businesses and start-ups on corporate governance documents, investor agreements, and other functions normally carried out by in-house lawyers. The volunteers will receive continuing legal education (CLE) credit.
ACC Kentucky was selected for its partnership with the Louisville-area Legal Aid Society and the Urban League to help people prepare criminal record expungement applications. This project builds on the success of a 2018 effort to provide resources to help people to clear their criminal records. The grant will allow ACC Kentucky to provide a level of sponsorship of these expungement costs.
The ACC Michigan Pro Bono Committee will educate in-house counsel, in forums resembling trade shows, on pro bono services, malpractice insurance, and pro bono for communities like military veterans. Their goal is to include about 50 in-house counsel in at least one new pro bono activity every year.
The ACC National Capital Region chapter (ACC NCR) will research and publish resources on how to overcome common challenges for in-house pro bono work. Additionally, ACC NCR will develop a leadership structure to support formal pro bono initiatives among its 2,500 members.
"This year's awardees demonstrate a strong commitment to pro bono service in the United States,” said Jennifer Chen, director of the ACC Foundation. “We are honored to support their initiatives, which not only have the power to change people’s lives for the better, but strengthen the role and visibility of the in-house sector in pro bono work.”