This fall Pro Bono Net, the City Bar Justice Center, and The Legal Aid Society launched the “NYC Pro Bono Center,” a new practice area that provides targeted support to young associates interested in volunteering. The web site, available at www.probono.net/nycprobono, offers an introduction to a broad range of pro bono work in New York City, including an overview of practice areas and pro bono organizations; training and volunteer opportunities; and training videos, manuals and practice materials covering a wide range of substantive areas.

“Many new associates are unsure of how to get involved in pro bono work,” explains Alison Sclater, Pro Bono Net’s New York Program Coordinator. “They might be unfamiliar with the pro bono agencies here in New York, unsure of where to receive proper training, or they might need assistance identifying a suitable pro bono matter. This web site gives them everything they need to get started.”

“Recent studies show that more than 80 percent of poor people’s legal needs go unmet, so there is a huge need for more lawyers to become involved in pro bono work,” adds Maria Imperial, Executive Director of the City Bar Justice Center. “This web site will reinforce outreach and recruitment efforts by pro bono organizations, and will hopefully result in a higher volunteer rate among New York City attorneys.”

“The lack of resources for civil legal representation forces us to turn away at least six potential clients for every one who we can help,” emphasizes Steven Banks, the Attorney-in-Chief of the Legal Aid Society. “The NYC Pro Bono Center will serve as an invaluable resource in encouraging participation in pro bono programs to help low-income New Yorkers.”

Visitors to the web site will find:

* A library of easily accessible resources on a variety of legal topics. Materials will include training manuals; videos of training sessions by New York legal service providers that can be viewed over the Internet; information about earning CLE credit for pro bono work; and other relevant resources;

* Descriptions of volunteer opportunities at pro bono and legal services organizations throughout New York City;

* Volunteer of the Month articles highlighting an individual or team’s pro bono case, and new and innovative pro bono projects and partnerships.

"This is an essential first stop for attorneys interested in pro bono in New York City. The web site brings together a wealth of information and resources, which makes finding and preparing for a pro bono matter much more efficient," says William T. Russel, Co-Chair of the Pro Bono Committee at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, which provided assistance for the web site's launch.

The web site is part of national network of online “practice areas” hosted by Pro Bono Net that provide substantive support to pro bono attorneys and other legal advocates in a variety of areas such as human rights, family law and domestic violence, fair housing, and discrimination. More than 30,000 lawyers and other advocates are registered members of Pro Bono Net web sites, which have been launched across the country including in the District of Columbia, California, Florida, Montana, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa and Pennsylvania.