National Jurist - November 2008 - (Page 13) THEFIRMREPORT Firms commit to pro bono work Big or small, partner or committeeorganized programs — law firms are committed to pro bono work. And most say it’s supportive from the top down. Stacey Slater, pro bono partner at Nixon Peabody, said there are a number of policies in place at their firm to encourage their attorneys to do pro bono work. “Lawyers are evaluated and expected to do it,” she said. “Our managing partner has issued a challenge to render 60 hours of pro bono annually. It’s really encouraged from top down.” Slater’s full-time job is to manage pro bono programs for Nixon Peabody, in which there are about 50 projects throughout the firm. The firm has a variety of pro bono programs ranging from helping wounded veterans to assisting low-income entrepreneurs to Hurricane Katrina victims. Specific projects are also in place for their summer associates. “We’re very active in the Holocaust Survivor project representing low-income holocaust survivors,” she said. As for attorney involvement, Slater said it depends. “What we tell our lawyers is that you can find time to do five hours a month,” she said. “Most people find the time.” In 2006, the average number of pro bono hours per lawyer in the firm’s U.S. offices was 29 hours. The total number of lawyers reported was 625. That is comparable to a smaller firm, like Arent Fox LLP, which does not have a full-time pro bono coordinator but still encourages its lawyers to perform a minimum number of pro bono hours. The pro bono committee performs the coordinating function at the firm. The average number of pro bono hours per attorney firm-wide in 2006 was 56 hours. The total number of attorneys reported was 277. Slater said they are challenged to contribute. “People feel we have a moral and professional obligation to give back to the community in which we work,” she said. “What I find rewarding is you really see the difference you can make in an individual’s life.” —Michelle Weyenberg Get the scoop on pro bono work at the country’s top firms in the Vault Guide to Law Firm Pro Bono Programs 2008 Edition. Visit www.Vault.com for more information. GRADUATE PROGRAM IN GLOBAL LEGAL PRACTICE BOLOGNA | LOS ANGELES LLM in American and International Legal Practice • American students will spend the first semester (fall) studying at Loyola Law School’s Los Angeles campus. Loyola Law School has highly-ranked litigation and clinical programs, and has trained some of America’s top practitioners. • During the spring semester, classes are held only on Fridays and Saturdays, leaving students the opportunity to study, travel around Italy or take advantage of part-time internship opportunities in Bologna, Milan or Rome. • Loyola Law School’s campus was designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. It is located in downtown Los Angeles, a national legal, financial, media and entertainment capital. • Bologna is strategically located in Northern Italy within a short train ride of Milan, Modena, Venice, Florence and Rome. • During the second (spring) semester, American students will study in Bologna, Italy, alongside top law graduates from around the world. All classes are taught in English. The University of Bologna is the world’s oldest university and has state-of-the-art facilities and libraries. For more information, please visit www.lls.edu/bologna or contact bolognallm@lls.edu. November 2008 THE NATIONAL JURIST 13 http://www.Vault.com http://www.lls.edu/bologna http://www.lls.edu/bologna
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