JOIN THE PACT

 You are officially invited to participate in Legal Aid Society’s Pro Bono ACT Committee for the Volunteer Eviction Defense Program.

We are a group of compassionate lawyers who not only actively participate in volunteer pro bono work, but who encourage others in the legal community to volunteer.

OUR MISSION

We will work to significantly increase the percentage of licensed attorneys who do pro bono work in the Legal Aid Society’s service area, including Breckenridge, Bullitt, Grayson, Hardin, Henry, Jefferson, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble and Washington.

 

OUR VISION

  • We agree that pro bono work is essential.

  • We believe all attorneys are capable of participating in some capacity, even if it is one case or clinic opportunity per year.

  • We understand that legal services are denied to those living in poverty.

  • We agree that any decision to participate in “pro bono practice” lightens the burdens of others and makes access to justice a reality for all.

  • We believe that pro bono not only benefits those who receive representation but it also benefits the attorney that chooses to give back with perspective, compassion and empathy.

Meet your Volunteer Eviction Defense Support Team

  • REBEKAH COTTON

    Senior Attorney, Housing and Government Benefits, Volunteer Eviction Defense Program

    (502) 614-3112 | RCotton@YourLegalAid.org

  • CELESTE BOWMAN

    Paralegal, Housing and Government Benefits, Volunteer Eviction Defense Program

    CBowman@YourLegalAid.org

SEEKING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Committee members will meet with lunch served.  In 2024, meetings will be held the first Thursday of June and September.  For 2025, PACT meetings will be held the first Thursday of Jan, April, the second Thursday of July and the first Thursday of September.

Click the Committee Role below to learn more.

  • Description teHelp to coordinate in person lunches/ or CLE training event or other informal meets to encourage new firms to participate in pro bono with VEDP and other LAS pro bono offerings. The goal would be to establish contact with a new firm Partner who is willing/wanting to invite the VEDP team to come and present on the pro bono program over lunch or free training. The goal would be to set up at minimum 2 in 2024 and 2 in 2025. xt goes here

  • Help to coordinate in person lunches and other informal meets to encourage new small firms/solo practitioners to participate in pro bono with VEDP (by telling your own experience) and other LAS pro bono offerings. The goal would be to establish contact with a new solo or small firm attorney who is willing to discuss the VEDP program over lunch or coffee or host a CLE training. The goal would be to set up at minimum of 2 meets in 2024 and 2 meets in 2025.

  • Help to coordinate in person lunches/ or CLE training event or other informal meets to encourage new firms to participate in pro bono with VEDP and other LAS pro bono offerings. The goal would be to establish contact with a new corporate law department who is willing/wanting to invite the VEDP team to come and present on the pro bono program over lunch or free training AND following the same participate in a clinic or by actively taking a case. The goal would be to set up at minimum 2 in 2024 and 2 in 2025.

  • Research pro bono statistics at the state level, consider avenues to encourage more pro bono by the bar as a whole, see if there is an active count of the number of attorneys reporting pro bono work, find ways to coordinate recruitment for pro bono work, connect with relevant KBA small units to speak at their meetings and to encourage pro bono opportunities, ie civil litigation unit tion

  • Research pro bono statistics at the county level, consider avenues to encourage more pro bono by the county bar as a whole, see if there is an active count of the number of attorneys reporting pro bono work, find ways to coordinate recruitment for pro bono work offerings to be made.

  • Research pro bono statistics at the county level, consider avenues to encourage more pro bono by the county bar as a whole, see if there is an active count of the number of attorneys reporting pro bono work, find ways to coordinate recruitment for pro bono work offerings to be made.

  • Interview and present stories of active volunteers through different mediums (Zoom interview/write up/photos etx) Get the details and the permissions from the clients and their volunteer attorney. Goal would be to do this seasonally. Once every quarter- and to try and diversify type of story.

  • Interview and present stories of active volunteers (who do DV, divorce, estate planning or clinic volunteer work) through different mediums (Zoom interview/write up/photos etx) Get the details and the permissions from the clients and their volunteer attorney. Goal would be to do this seasonally. Once every quarter- and to try and diversify type of story.

  • Member of law school faculty committed to increasing pro bono participation to 3L students with a limited license and faculty to participate in one of the many offerings of pro bono by LAS. Also willing to encourage other law school administrators to consider 3L representation in VEDP and other clinic participation pro bono work.

  • Will coordinate with large firms and bar associations to inform lawyers who are retired yet maintain an active license to practice law. Look for ways to inform those who are planning for retirement about pro bono opportunities.

  • Will reach out to the bench to ensure awareness of pro bono opportunities and the desperate need for more attorneys to participate. Will encourage Judges to invite attorneys within their purview to participate.