To help facilitate greater lawyer participation in pro bono programs, and to provide an update on the wide range of pro bono opportunities currently available, the City Bar Justice Center, the pro bono affiliate of the New York City Bar Association, has released its new edition of "Pro Bono Opportunities: A Guide for Lawyers in New York City."

The new guide - a mutual effort of the City Bar Justice Center, Volunteers of Legal Service, and Pro Bono Net - is the definitive reference tool for New York City attorneys who are seeking meaningful pro bono opportunities.

The Office of Court Administration said in a recent report that one of the main reasons lawyers do not participate in pro bono work is due to the difficulty in finding appropriate projects. "This new guide makes it much easier for attorneys to locate the kind of volunteer work they seek," said City Bar President Barry Kamins. "Pro bono programs are listed under three sections: those with bar associations; legal services and public interest organizations; and court and government programs. Lawyers who do volunteer legal work have told me that it is one of the most satisfying experiences of their careers," said Mr. Kamins.

"Pro Bono Opportunities: A Guide for Lawyers in New York City" is a 60-page pamphlet that can be obtained by contacting the City Bar Public Service Network at (212) 382-4713; by e-mail at cpsn@nycbar.org; or online at http://www.nycbar.org/CityBarFund/pdf/probono_guide07.pdf.  The printing of the pamphlet was donated by American Lawyer Media.

A searchable, online version that also includes pro bono opportunities outside of New York City is available at http://www.probono.net/ny/volunteer.cfm