July was a busy month with managing summer interns, hosting clinics and learning new things -- all while juggling vacations in between. 

 

     We're excited that this year's Justice For All Ball invitation is on the press, so be on the lookout for this year's work of art by local artist Robert Guthrie to arrive in your mailbox around the end of the month. If you can't wait for the invitation to arrive, feel free to buy your tickets online now: JFAB 2012 TICKETS  

 

     Our heartfelt congratulations also go out to the many attorneys and law firms named in the most recent issue of the Louisiana Bar Journal (page 90 in the electronic; page 88 in the printed) as among the best of the best in the United States. We are pleased and proud to count many of them among our volunteers and supporters. We've always known you were Super Lawyers and now so does everyone else. Congratulations to all!

 

      We just confirmed that our annual Volunteer Appreciation & Awards event will be on Wednesday, December 12th at Jones Walker so please mark your calendars. The CLE will start at 4:00 pm followed by the Recognition & Awards event and Reception. Complete details will follow in a future In Brief and also on our Facebook page.  

 

     Take a deep breath everyone, these are the last few weeks of vacation before we kick off a busy Fall season! We look forward to seeing everyone at JFAB 2012 on September 28th!  

 

All the best,

Rachel  

Rachel Piercey  

Executive Director 

  

PS -- Spread the word about The Pro Bono Project by using the new social media buttons and connect this newsletter to your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or other social media page. Thanks!                               

     One of the most rewarding programs The Project has for volunteers is representing neglected or abused children through the Child in Need of Care (CINC) program.
 

      Tommy Peyton of Krebs Farley & Pelleteri, PLLC began working in this area in

Tommy Peyton, Krebs, Farley & Pelleteri

2011 and has already represented four children - resulting in an adoption, two reunifications, and one alternative permanent living arrangement for his clients.

 

      Tommy describes his work for The Project as the most rewarding of his young career, allowing him to gain courtroom experience while giving back to the most important members of the community: children.

 

     In his most recent case, Tommy represented a young child whose mother turned a blind eye to her boyfriend's abuse of her child. The child's injuries were so evident that the child's teacher called the police. As a result, the boyfriend was arrested, and the child was taken into state custody.

 

     While Tommy, the state, and the court worked toward the eventual goal of reuniting the mother and child, the child was sent to stay out of state with relatives. During this time, the child had a wonderful and successful end of school year and a fun summertime.  

 

     Meanwhile, Tommy advocated for the needed services for the child and made sure the mother was diligent in attending her court ordered counseling sessions. This eventually resulted in her full rehabilitation. 

 

     In a cheerful event, the family was recently reunited with the child in tears when the judge told him he could go back home with mom.  Following reunification, Tommy worked to have his young client successfully enrolled in school for the upcoming year. He continues to maintain contact with the family to make certain the abuse does not happen again.

 

     In reflecting on his time representing neglected and abused children Tommy noted, "I still keep in touch with my former clients and their families. I even receive holiday cards from one family. I keep all of the cards and kind emails in my paper calendar and reflect on them after a tough day - CINC cases really help keep things in perspective."

 

     Special thanks to Tommy and to the many attorneys at Krebs, Farley & Pelleteri, who have been ardent supporters of the CINC program, as well as strong advocates for our young clients' needs for many years.  

 

     For more information or to take on a CINC case or any of the other practice areas available, please contact Linton Carney at 504.581.4043 x 207.  

     The deadline for the Winter 2012 class is Friday, August 24th. For more information and to apply for the program please visit: