Promoting Pro Bono Opportunities One of New Committee's Goals

The OBA's Access to Justice Committee was established this year by merger of the Legal Services Committee and the Criminal Law Committee. Led by Rick Bozarth, the committee is comprised of three subcommittees - Criminal Justice Subcommittee, Civil Justice Subcommittee and Pro Bono Services Subcommittee.

While the Access to Justice Committee has quite a large agenda (and has already submitted proposed legislation emanating from its Criminal Justice Subcommittee to the House of Delegates), one of its goals is to increase awareness of pro bono opportunities and pro bono services performed by the private bar.

DID YOU KNOW:

As of Jan. 1, 2003, there were 14,961 attorneys licensed to practice law in the State of Oklahoma?

In 2002, only 488 of those attorneys handled a pro bono case referred to them through Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma?

These statistics paint a very grim picture of pro bono service in Oklahoma. While the Access to Justice Committee always feels there is room for improvement, we also believe these statistics do not show the entire picture.

DO YOU KNOW:

An attorney who has handled pro bono litigation that was not referred through Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma?

An attorney or judge who volunteers time serving in an advisory capacity or on the board of directors for a charitable or civic organization?

A bar association program, such as the Oklahoma County Bar Association's response to the needs of victims of the Murrah bombing tragedy or an organization, such as Oklahoma Lawyers for Children, which refers pro bono matters regarding a certain segment of the population in Oklahoma?

Attorneys or law students who donate their time and talents to offer translation services for Oklahoma's migrant farm workers?

All of these attorneys, judges or law students THAT YOU KNOW are providing pro bono legal services. We want to know about them too. However, there is currently no way to capture data on these legal professionals or the outstanding services they provide.

Please let us know of your experiences and personal accounts. This column will be a regular department in upcoming issues of the Oklahoma Bar Journal, and it is dedicated to spotlighting attorneys who have recognized their professional responsibility and are actively contributing to the legal profession by providing pro bono legal services.

The success of this column is dependent on feedback from Oklahoma Bar Association members from all areas of the state. Send submissions to:

probono@okbar.org

or Pro Bono Services Subcommittee, c/o Heidi J. Long, 204 N. Robinson, Suite 1550, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.

Watch for future articles as we explore innovative ways for attorneys in Oklahoma to provide pro bono services.  ¶ 7:05 PM