2018 Alabama Pro Bono Service Certificate of Appreciation

Recognizing Pro Bono Service

The Alabama Access to Justice Commission and the Supreme Court of Alabama hosted a reception October 25, 2018 in the rotunda of the Heflin-Torbert Judicial Building in Montgomery.

The purpose of this event was to honor the accomplishments of our 2018 Pro Bono Exemplars.

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Certificate of Appreciation

In recognition of providing 50 or more hours of pro bono legal services to low income Alabama residents, the Alabama Access to Justice Commission presented Kristine B. Jones, Attorney at Law, with the 2018 Pro Bono Service Certificate of Appreciation.

What is a Pro Bono Exemplar?

Pro bono simply means “for the public good.”

Especially in the context of donated legal work, a.k.a. pro bono work.

What is an Exemplar?

According to Collins Dictionary¹, an exemplar is:

Someone… considered to be so good that they should be copied or imitated.

Pro Bono Exemplars

Pro Bono Exemplars are lawyers who provide 50 or more hours of qualified pro bono legal services under Pro Bono Publico Service, Rule 6.1 of the Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct.

Pro Bono Legal Services

The Pro Bono Public Service Recognition Program refers to pro bono legal services as:

“activities consisting of the delivery of legal services undertaken normally without expectation of a fee:³

1. Directly to persons of limited means;
2. To charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental and educational organizations in matters that are designed primarily to address the needs of persons of limited means;
3. To individuals, groups or organizations seeking to secure or protect civil rights, human rights, civil liberties or public rights.”

What is Pro Bono Publico?

Citing from the Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 6.1²:

The basic responsibility for providing legal services for those unable to pay ultimately rests upon the individual lawyer, and personal involvement in the problems of the disadvantaged can be one of the most rewarding experiences in the life of a lawyer.

Pro Bono Public Service

These Alabama attorneys demonstrated outstanding commitment to volunteer legal services for the lower income residents of Alabama.

Each attorney provided 50 or more hours of pro bono service to those who could not otherwise afford it in 2016 and 2017. Their benevolence and dedication to furthering the integrity of the practice of law exemplifies what all lawyers strive to achieve.

Event Details

Event: Supreme Court of Alabama Pro Bono Exemplars Reception
Date: Thursday, October 25, 2018
Organizer: Alabama Access to Justice Commission
Venue: Heflin-Torbert Judicial Building
Address: 300 Dexter Ave, Montgomery, AL 36104

ASB President Sam Irby’s Pro Bono Month Message

ASB President Sam Irby’s Pro Bono Month Message

Video credit: Alabama State Bar

Published: Sep 19, 2018

Description:

ASB President Sam Irby of Fairhope talks about celebrating pro bono in October and how Bar members can help. Watch to see how Alabama is first in the nation.

Audio Transcript:

“Hello! My name is Sam Irby.

It is my honor to serve as the one-hundred and forty-third president of the Alabama State Bar.

I was very fortunate to have been raised in Fairhope, Alabama. I attended the first through the twelfth grades in the Fairhope school system.

After law school, I returned to Fairhope to practice law as a small firm practitioner.

The motto of the Alabama State Bar is “Lawyers Render Service.” Our members take great pride in rendering service to their clients, the public, their communities, and to the Bar.

One of the greatest accomplishments of lawyers in Alabama is their commitment to rendering free legal services to those in need. Alabama lawyers provide free legal services many times during the year.

October is Pro Bono Month.

This year we’re celebrating the tenth year of the National Pro Bono Celebration.

Alabama has five volunteer lawyer programs throughout the state that work together to provide quality pro bono services to low income recipients. Alabama lawyers assist with many civil legal issues such as:

• Divorce
• Child support
• Bankruptcy
• Landlord-tenant
• Veterans affairs, and
• Credit issues

For the second year in a row, Legal Services Corporation has concluded that our pro bono programs in Alabama lead the nation in both participation and number of cases closed.

Alabama lawyers participate in providing pro bono services at a rate that is almost double that of surrounding states. Our volunteer lawyers make justice a reality for so many Alabamians.

Let’s continue to keep our volunteer lawyer program strong.

If you’re already a volunteer, thank you! Your impact is felt and appreciated.

If you’re not a member, please consider joining a volunteer lawyer program in your area or provide financial support to those volunteer programs.

To do so, visit our website. Thank you!”

Footnote(s):

• ¹ Source: exemplar, Collins Dictionary, External link ».
• ² Source: Pro Bono Publico Service, Rule 6.1, Public Service. Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct, External link ».
• ³ Source: Pro Bono Public Service Recognition Program, Alabama Access to Justice Commission. Alabama Law Foundation, External link ».