Pro Bono Net, a nonprofit leader in increasing access to justice, has announced three new webinars this fall in its ongoing series for New York City area attorneys, "Pro Bono in New York." The first, on Oct. 5, will focus on matrimonial law, specifically New York's new no-fault divorce law.
Pro Bono in New York webinars make it easier for attorneys to get involved in pro bono by introducing them to local opportunities and providing the training they need to get started in areas of poverty law with which they may not be familiar. Each hour-long webinar is conducted by experts from Pro Bono Net's legal aid partners who specialize in working with, and providing support to, pro bono attorneys.
The first of this fall's webinar series will take place at 2 p.m. on Oct. 5, and will be presented by the Family Law Unit of the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG). It will cover matrimonial law, with a focus on how the changes brought about by New York's new no-fault divorce legislation, which was signed into law in July, will impact the work of attorneys helping victims of domestic violence and other needy New Yorkers. Attorneys from NYLAG will walk webinar participants through the process of representing low-income clients in uncontested divorce proceedings, and Pro Bono Net staff will explain how to access support materials, sample pleadings and pro bono opportunities on Probono.net/ny.
"Many attorneys are interested in taking on a family law or matrimonial pro bono matter, but most have no background in this area of law and are hesitant to get involved," said Alison Sclater, NYLAG's Director of Pro Bono. "A short, introductory training that they can join from their desks offers them a first taste of the law and procedure involved, encouraging them to learn more and ultimately take on a pro bono client."
The Webinar Series will continue later in October with a special Virtual Pro Bono Open House, as part of the 2nd annual National Pro Bono Celebration Week (October 24-30), l highlighting opportunities with four New York City area pro bono programs.
This will be followed in November by a presentation by the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyer's Project on Article 17A guardianship proceedings for individuals with disabilities.
Past webinars, which are available to view online in the NYC Pro Bono Center on Probono.net/ny, have covered topics including adoption, consumer debt, asylum law, custody and guardianship, ethical issues in representing nonprofits and an earlier NYLAG presentation on matrimonial law.
To register for webinars or find more information, or to access recordings and materials from past webinars, visit www.probono.net/ny/nyc/webinar. Law firms interested in how their lawyers can best use these and other resources can contact Tony Lu, Pro Bono and Special Initiatives Coordinator, at tlu@probono.net.
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About Pro Bono Net: Pro Bono Net (www.probono.net) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to justice through innovative uses of technology and increased volunteer lawyer participation.