Probono.net/bayarea Fellowship 

Description
Pro Bono Net, a national nonprofit organization using innovative technology to improve access to justice, seeks a volunteer Fellow to work with Pro Bono Net, the Volunteer Legal Services Program of San Francisco, and other regional providers to build the capacity of probono.net/bayarea.  Probono.net/bayarea promotes collaboration and connects pro bono and legal services advocates with opportunities, training events, mentors, practice alerts, and searchable libraries of key practice resources.  The Fellow will:

• Provide substantive support and editorial coordination for key probono.net/bayarea practice resources;
• Work with regional providers and firms on the development and use of probono.net/bayarea’s pro bono training calendar, pro bono opportunities guide and case placement tools;
• Develop and distribute practice alerts and resources to members through e-newsletters, listservs and other e-communication mechanisms;
• Coordinate in-person trainings and virtual webinars on key pro bono topics;
• Conduct outreach to law firms, law schools and other venues around the region to educate the private bar about probono.net/bayarea resources to support pro bono participation.

The Fellow will work closely with senior staff at Pro Bono Net, VLSP and partner organizations on the strategic development of other online resources and innovative strategies to serve the needs of the Bay Area’s vulnerable communities. The Fellow may also participate in special pro bono engagement initiatives, such as the October 2009 Pro Bono Celebration week, new national practice areas, and the sharing of resources and information with the national Pro Bono Net network.

If licensed in California, the Fellow will have the opportunity to provide direct representation to VLSP's indigent clients in eviction or family law matters.

About Pro Bono Net
Pro Bono Net is a nonprofit organization that works in close partnership with legal organizations and law firms across the country to increase access to justice for poor and moderate-income people. It seeks to do so through (i) supporting the innovative and effective use of technology by the nonprofit legal sector, (ii) increasing participation by volunteer lawyers and (iii) facilitating collaborations among nonprofit legal organizations and advocates working on similar issues.

Thirty states and all of the AM LAW 100 use Pro Bono Net’s tools to serve low-income persons facing legal problems. These website projects bring together representatives from legal services programs, law firms, pro bono projects, courts, law schools, libraries and social service organizations across the state to collaborate and coordinate their development. To view existing web sites, visit www.probono.net and www.lawhelp.org.

This is a full-time volunteer position; it may be filled by a deferred associate receiving a stipend from his or her law firm.

How to Apply
Fellowship candidates should send a resume and cover letter to lkeith@probono.net . Candidates with experience organizing or working with pro bono legal services providers and those who have used web- based tools for communication, outreach or PR are particularly invited to apply. Questions may be directed to Liz Keith, LawHelp Program Manager, lkeith@probono.net.