Submitted by Amy Gewirtz
Director, Pace Law School New Directions Program
Member, NYSBA Committee for Lawyers in Transition
It is heartening to see that in these challenging times for attorneys, some government and judicial, among other, organizations, are responding by offering programs for attorneys who have been laid off, or furloughed by their employers. Notable among these are the New York City Law Department and the New York State Unified Court System. Both entities have created programs in which attorneys can work, on a pro bono basis, while they are either looking for paid positions or until they return to their employer.
Please visit the following websites to learn more about these programs:
New York City Law Department
http://www.nyc.gov/html/law/downloads/pdf/NYLJ_031309.pdf
A new program offered by the New York City Law Department offers litigation and labor associates who recently have been laid off or are on the verge of losing their jobs the chance to gain courtroom experience while continuing their job search.
New York State Unified Court System
http://nylj.com/nylawyer/news/09/03/032609f.html
Administrators of New York courts are rolling out a new program today to enlist attorneys, many of whom may be laid off or on reduced work schedules due to the sour economy, to provide legal advice and expertise to pro se litigants.
Importance of Pro Bono Work
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/14/your-money/14shortcuts.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=pro%20bono%20&st=cse
This article from The New York Times emphasizes both the importance of doing pro bono work (not just for lawyers) and the importance of doing your research on the organization for which you're interviewing for a pro bono position.