FAYETTEVILLE -- Bar associations locally and across the country this week are honoring lawyers who give back to their communities and the justice system by volunteering time and expertise pro bono, or free of charge to those who can't afford to hire a lawyer.
"Pro Bono Week is our opportunity to thank and recognize those attorneys who fulfill their ethical obligation to provide free legal assistance to those in need," said Niki Cung, a Fayetteville lawyer and chair of Legal Aid of Arkansas's Board. "It's also a good reminder to the legal profession that there is more that we can do to improve our communities."
The Arkansas Supreme Court officially declared a celebration of Pro Bono Week in the state for the first time. The court designated Sunday through Oct. 29 as a time "to recognize the valuable contributions made by pro bono attorneys throughout the year and to encourage pro bono participation across the nation to address the legal needs of low-income Americans."
The court's order also praised the legal community's commitment to public service as "one of the noblest attributes of the legal profession."
Legal Aid lawyers will be at the Springdale Senior Center from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday for a clinic to provide wills and powers of attorney.
The Arkansas Access to Justice Commission has helped organize Pro Bono Week activities in Arkansas since 2011.
The Commission is launching a website called Arkansas Free Legal Answers (https://ar.freelegalanswers.org/) on Monday as part of its observance of Pro Bono Week. The website will allow eligible low-income, elderly and disabled Arkansans to post questions about noncriminal legal issues that will be answered by licensed attorneys.
Pro Bono Week began in 2009 as an event organized by the American Bar Association to honor the work of pro bono attorneys and to encourage pro bono service by more lawyers. The event has since grown into a nationwide observance with thousands participating in clinics, workshops, open houses and other events.
NW News on 10/22/2016