YLD Spotlight

CONTRIBUTE YOUR TALENTS AND SERVICES WITH PRO BONO WORK

by katherine e. camadeco, esq.

Pro bono comes from the Latin phrase pro bono publico, which means “for the public good.” Pro bono work is legal services voluntarily taken without payment. Pro bono legal services benefit those who would otherwise be unable to afford legal representation. The cost of private legal representation is high. In today’s economy, funding for not-for-profits and legal services providers is tight, and it is increasingly more difficult for them to meet legal needs. The Florida Bar encourages lawyers to aspire to 20 hours of pro bono work a year or contribute $350 to a legal aid organization. The Rules Regulating the Florida Bar 4.6.1 require attorneys to annually report whether you have satisfied your professional responsibility to provide pro bono legal services. As young lawyers, pro bono work can be invaluable to the growth and development of your legal skills, reputation and business. There are many reasons to participate in pro bono work, the greatest of which is the ability to use our unique skills to help those with the biggest need. Additionally, pro bono work provides young attorneys the chance to hone their skills in their practice area as well as learn new areas of the law. Many pro bono opportunities come with the chance to get formal training, including CLE credit, on how to handle pro bono issues. Engaging in pro bono work builds your character and reputation as a lawyer. They say with great privilege comes great responsibility. As young attorneys, with busy workloads and lots of obligations, it is important to commit to our responsibility to engage in pro bono work. Start now and see the rewards throughout your career. There are some great local pro bono opportunities including the Legal County Legal Aid Society and the Lee County Clerk of Court’s Self-Help Center. To volunteer, contact Nanci DuBois at nanci@leecountylegalaid.org and include SHC in the subject line. Also, the Lee County Bar hosts Law in the Mall during Law Week held in the spring. And lastly, the Florida Bar offers opportunities to look for pro bono opportunities across the state at thefloridabarfoundation.org/florida-probono-matters/.

Congratulations to all the Lee County Bar pro bono award winners, and we call on all attorneys to strive to contribute your talents and services to those in need.

Katherine E. Camadeco, Esq. is the President-Elect of the Young Lawyers Divsion of the Lee County Bar Association and an attorney at O’Halloran & Simmons, PLLC where she practices in the area of Marital and Family Law.