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Pro Bono Consultation Series

This 3-hour program consists of two simultaneous training sessions for nonprofits and participating attorneys, followed by private consultation sessions. Typically, a single legal issue will be the focus of the program, such as Social Media Policy or WISP/MA data security law. At the outset, the nonprofits and attorneys are in separate groups. The nonprofits are educated on the topic in layman’s term while attorneys receive substantive legal training at the same time. Following these sessions of approximately 60 minutes and a short break, the nonprofits are matched with attorney teams for private counseling sessions of 60-90 minutes. Average programs consist of 10-15 nonprofits and 20-30 attorneys, but smaller or larger programs can be arranged.

Program Goals

  • To train attorneys and educate nonprofit organizations on a variety of legal topics.
  • To provide attorneys with a time-limited but well-organized structure to engage in pro bono.
  • To provide firm attorneys and in-house counsel the opportunity to work as a team to serve the nonprofit community.
  • To provide nonprofits with an organization-specific consultation to ensure their compliance with the target area of law.

Your Client

You will be working with a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status, which provides services to low or moderate income people or serves a compelling community need; and which is unable to afford legal services or demonstrate that the cost of obtaining assistance would adversely affect their ability to fulfill their mission. Interested nonprofits submit an application to participate in this program. The application process includes verifying the nonprofit’s compliance status with federal and state agencies.

Questions?

If you have additional questions about our pro bono opportunities, please contact Legal Referral Director Machiko Sano Hewitt by email or at 617.778.1954.

Past Participating Attorneys Say:

Excellent training, short, opportunity to help a great organization.

Very interesting topic and ability to work on policy in specified time period, training session was excellent and engaging!

I liked working closely with client and delivering the end product.

Great training and ability to do a discrete project immediately.