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For Immediate Release

 

 

Contacts:        Pam Weisz, Pro Bono Net

                        Phone: (212) 760-2554 x485 E-mail: pweisz@probono.net

 

                 

Software Helps Manatt, Phelps & Phillips Increase its Pro Bono Impact

Firm reached new high for pro bono work using Pro Bono Manager

 

NEW YORK, April 20, 2009 — Pro Bono Net’s Pro Bono ManagerTM, a hosted pro bono management service, has helped the national law and consulting firm, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, significantly reduce labor-intensive administration from its pro bono program. As a result, the firm dramatically increased the number of hours its attorneys devote to public service and reached a new high for pro bono in 2008. Manatt’s experience with Pro Bono Net is documented in a new case study done by Microsoft.

 

The pro bono program at Manatt is an integral part of the firm’s daily practice. But with 400 professionals spread across eight offices, the program’s director struggled with time-consuming daily management tasks.  After employing Pro Bono Manager, the director has increased her ability to make efficient pro bono matches, and year-end reporting on pro bono activities takes 80 percent less time. In 2008 this time-savings, along with the service’s other features, helped the firm achieve an all-time high of nearly 33,000 pro bono hours.

 

Manatt is one of eight large firms now using Pro Bono Manager, which helps law firms increase pro bono participation, manage pro bono caseloads more efficiently and raise internal and external awareness of pro bono efforts.  The Web-based software, which is built on Microsoft’s SharePoint 2007 and SQL Reporting Services, integrates data from existing time and billing and personnel systems, and offers customizable tools for case management and detailed reporting.   Pro Bono Manager also leverages Pro Bono Net’s nationwide network of public interest legal groups to provide access to practice materials, volunteer opportunities, training events and relevant news.

 

The case study illustrates how Pro Bono Manager provides better oversight across a comprehensive range of a firm’s pro bono activities, allows for more effective matching of attorneys with cases, and streamlines reporting, leaving more time for higher-value work.

 

“The software is essential to making sure our pro bono program runs efficiently and with continuity,” said Cristin Zeisler, Manatt’s Director of Pro Bono Activities.  Pro Bono Manager helps us deliver on our strategic goals.”

 

To read the case study, see www.microsoft.com/casestudies/casestudy.aspx?casestudyid=4000003995

 

To learn more about Pro Bono Manager, contact Adam Licht at (212) 760-2554 x486 or alicht@probono.net

 

About Pro Bono Net

Pro Bono Net is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to justice through increased volunteer lawyer participation and innovative use of technology. Founded in 1998, Pro Bono Net has created a powerful network of nonprofit legal aid providers, courts and bar associations across the United States and Canada. This network uses two Web-based platforms—www.probono.net and www.lawhelp.org—to recruit and manage volunteers, and to provide legal information and tools for low-income communities and the organizations that serve them.  For more information, visit www.probono.net.

 

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