VBA Creates Pro Bono Task Force

       "We remain concerned about access to the courts for indigent Virginians. All citizens—the rich, middle-class, and poor—should have access to our courts where they can vindicate their liberty interests and property rights. I have asked Virginia's voluntary statewide bar associations, particularly the Virginia Bar Association, to assist with the planning of a bold and comprehensive statewide initiative for Virginia's lawyers and law firms so that we can significantly increase the provision of legal services to the poor. We plan to develop a voluntary program that will encourage every Virginia lawyer to provide pro bono services to the poor. I thank John D. Epps and The Virginia Bar Association for their help and leadership."

— Chief Justice Leroy Hassell in his State of the Judiciary address, Judicial Conference of Virginia, May 2009

       Taking on the above challenge, VBA president John Epps has appointed a pro bono task force chaired by Harry M. "Pete" Johnson of Hunton & Williams and Scott C. Oostdyk of McGuireWoods. Epps issued the following statement in connection with the appointment: "The Chief Justice wants to ensure that all Virginians have access to our justice system, and the VBA is committed to that as well. We are excited that he has asked for our help. The individual members of the VBA Pro Bono Task Force, representing various areas of the Commonwealth, each have previously shown a deep commitment to pro bono service. With their collective experience and passion and the support of many other VBA members, I have no doubt that this initiative will make our system of justice better throughout the Commonwealth."

       "Responding to the call for lawyers to voluntarily step up their pro bono activities in this time of crisis for so many citizens, the goal of the task force is to help coordinate, around the Commonwealth, more private lawyer involvement in providing free services to the underserved through legal aid groups, non-profits, court referrals and the like," said Oostdyk. "The ancillary goal is to help the Chief Justice convene a conference on pro bono service in April 2010, to draw attention to and receive community service upgrade plans for pro bono work."

       To facilitate this mission, the task force is helping to organize "firms in service" teams in several areas in the state modeled after the successful program started in Richmond. The firms in service groups consist of private law firms and bar associations working collectively to host community-based coordination and planning efforts leading up to a pro bono summit next year.

       The VBA will provide the leadership to convene this process, with the hope that this community planning, coordination and elevated commitment will become an annual and integral part of the overall legal service structure in Virginia.

       "Studies show that private lawyers now provide the majority of pro bono service to the poor in civil matters, and that a vast percentage of the needs of the underserved population are going unmet,” Johnson commented. “The VBA is confident that lawyers are willing to volunteer their time to improve access to justice," he added. The task force is in communication with other stakeholders who provide intake or legal services to the poor such as legal aid offices, non-profits, court service organizations, law school clinical programs, social service agencies and similar organizations.

       In addition to Oostdyk and Johnson, other members of the VBA Pro Bono Task Force include Margaret Bacigal, University of Richmond School of Law; Nicole Harrell, Kaufman & Canoles; Lori Thompson, LeClair Ryan; Robert Stoney, Blankingship & Keith; and Webb King, Woods Rogers.

      Watch www.vba.org for more information about the task force and all upcoming pro bono events.