Please consider joining one of the Bar’s public service programs during this month of national volunteer recognition. The Bar’s Volunteer Lawyer Program facilitates the placement of hundreds of pro bono cases each year, but new members are needed, especially now. Volunteer attorneys positively impact the quality of their clients’ lives by providing critically needed representation and protections for people who could not otherwise afford it. Members of our pro bono programs report satisfying and unique experiences that can sometimes open a door for a new practice area. Please note, seasoned members of the Bar are available to mentor upon request. Included below is a testimonial from new Volunteer Lawyer Program member Sarajane S.M. Whitfield, Esq., who shares her experience with accepting her first pro bono divorce case.
"I connected with the VLP as soon as I was barred in RI in 2018 because I wanted to contribute, but quickly found my skill set as a corporate and transactional attorney for startups wasn't the best match for its pro bono client needs. I hadn't seen many opportunities I could run with solo, but as the pandemic hit and more pro bono requests filled the newsletters, I reached out to John Ellis, the VLP Coordinator, to offer whatever help I could. Wary of taking on anything myself for fear of doing more harm than good, I asked if I could be matched with an experienced attorney I could learn from while sharing the workload. To my great fortune, Carolyn R. Barone, Esq. agreed to mentor me on my first pro bono divorce case.
Family law, the filings and procedures, appearing in front of a judge, and even the court's e-filing platform, were all worlds away from my everyday practice, but I had the support and guidance of a seasoned pro to make things easier and more manageable. Attorney Barone went above and beyond to set me - and, more importantly, the client - up for success, from providing templates to reviewing drafts, sharing tips on the quirks of the system, answering countless questions, building a roadmap for various contingencies, and being on-call for the hearings in case I needed assistance at any point. Mr. Ellis also connected me with Michael Castner, Esq., who shared his top constable contact with me to serve the amended complaint and other documents on the elusive defendant on a tight timeline, and Neville Bedford, Esq., who generously offered space in his office building when it wasn't clear that my client had a safe and secure place to connect to a virtual hearing when most public spaces were closed.
I've found that the attorneys involved in the VLP are gracious, patient, and abundantly willing to help clients and fellow attorneys alike. Now that I have my first successful divorce under my belt, I will absolutely do it again. I highly recommend that any attorney who wants to volunteer, even if it's not an area of expertise, take advantage of the wealth of experienced attorney volunteers in the VLP as mentors who will provide the resources and support to take on a pro bono client in need."
The Rhode Island Bar Association Volunteer Lawyer Program (VLP), funded through a grant from Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc. and the Rhode Island Bar Foundation, provides pro bono (free) legal services to qualified low-income Rhode Islanders. Participating attorneys provide legal assistance, at no charge. The client’s income must qualify under federally regulated guidelines to receive pro bono assistance, and the case must fall under one of the areas of law handled by the VLP. Clients may be responsible for filing fees, court costs and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Whether you have been an attorney for years or it is the beginning of your career, pro bono cases can provide the opportunity for you to explore new areas of law with a seasoned mentor. For more information please contact Volunteer Lawyer Program Coordinator John H. Ellis at jellis@ribar.com or Lawyer Referral Service & Elderly Program Coordinator Elisa King at eking@ribar.com or by phone at (401) 421-7758.