The Pro Bono Project - In Brief
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New Board Members
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Our Mission

The Pro Bono Project's mission is to provide free, quality civil legal services to the underserved by engaging volunteer lawyers to render pro bono services. The Project serves Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany and Washington Parishes with funding from the Justice For All Ball and other sources. The Project works in collaboration with other legal and social service providers to improve the quality of life for our clients and our community.
May The Law Students Be With You

And, indeed they were. Winter temperatures across the country often bring Northern birds to our warmer Southern climate.  In spite of our unusually cold temperatures, law students from the University of Wisconsin Law School and the University of Illinois College of Law were happy to be here on their Winter Break instead of in their home states, and we were delighted to have them.   

Wisconsin law students hard at work!  

l to r: Bridget Laurent, Martha Mohs, Staff Paralegal Zakiya LaGrange, Angela Munoz, Janel Bergsbaken

Bustling around the office, and of course, laughing with us about our 'cold' temperatures, the students brought a warmth of their own to The Pro Bono Project's staff, clients and volunteers. 

 

Working alongside staff, these lawyers-to-be offered their support as The Project's staff conducted a Divorce Workshop for clients. With their help, The Project was able to prepare the paper work on 20 divorce cases, after which the students went to court to file the documents accompanied by Staff Paralegal Zakiya LaGrange.

 

In addition, our Chief Legal Officer Linton Carney put them to work on the many administrative tasks that must be done to either get a case placed with a volunteer lawyer or close out one that is completed.

 

The students from Wisconsin spent a portion of their time working with Staff Lawyer Chris Coty on succession cases, which continue to be a significant part of The Project's caseload. They also worked a shift at the Orleans Civil District Court Self-Help Desk, where they assisted self-represented litigants with court-approved forms for family law matters.

 

Read on and view more photos ...

Welcome New Board Members
Every January brings a new group of Board Members eager to lend their skills and expertise to The Pro Bono Project to help us continue to flourish as we respond to the ever-changing civil legal needs of the communities we serve. This year is no different, as we welcomed them on Wednesday, January 22nd at our New Board Members' Orientation, held in the Boardroom at The Bar Center.
 
Enjoying the moment!
 l to r: Chris Ralston, Wendy Hickok Robinson, Norm  Rubenstein, Rachel Piercey, Van Robichaux, Kim Perret.
Board Chair, Jan Hayden of Baker Donelson, 2nd Vice-Chair Norm Rubenstein of The Zeughauser Group and The Project's Executive Director, Rachel Piercey, conducted the Orientation, which was immediately followed by the January Board Meeting and a Welcome reception.

New members this year include:

 

Patrick Fraizer

Pan-American Life Insurance Company

Pamela V. Hansen

Capital One

Chauntis Trenelle Jenkins

Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, LLP

Robert A. Kutcher

Chopin, Wagar, Richard & Kutcher, LLP

Steven J. Lane

Herman, Herman & Katz, LLP

Wendy Hickok Robinson

Entergy

 

As part of their orientation, new members learn about The Project's vast history and involvement in the community.  They see how it fits into the legal landscape along with other non-profit legal service providers that compliment The Project's efforts.

 

They are then briefed on the duties and responsibilities of board members and given their Board Book, which details the governance and operations from A to Z for the entire organization. 

 

Finally, the new members meet the entire staff, who provide them with a snapshot of staff's responsibilities and the various areas of law with which they deal daily.

 

"The session is designed to give the new board members a good understanding of the organization and the challenges, opportunities and successes it has experienced over the years as it strives to fulfill its mission," explained Executive Director Rachel Piercey.

 

Read on and view more photos ...

 


Even with the extra cold temperatures, The Pro Bono Project is right back into the swing of things as we start this New Year!  

New groups of law students, new Board members, new activities - something new for everyone! Look forward to your participation and support as we move forward in 2014.  
 
Sincerely,
Rachel (Signature)
Rachel Piercey
Executive Director
The Pro Bono Project