Pro Bono In Badgerland:Pro Bono In Badgerland: Collaboration, Communication & SupportCollaboration, Communication & Support

Jeff Brown, State Bar of WisconsinJeff Brown, State Bar of WisconsinDan Idzikowski, Marquette Law Dan Idzikowski, Marquette Law

SchoolSchoolMarsha Mansfield, UW Law SchoolMarsha Mansfield, UW Law School

Pat Risser, Legal Action of Pat Risser, Legal Action of WisconsinWisconsin

The Plan

Who we are What we believe What we’re doing What we’ve learned How you can do it too

UW Law School

School 850 students

Community Madison, WI Political capital Pop. 200,000 5% families in poverty 28.6% minorities

Wisconsin Idea & Law in Action

Marquette Law School

School 698 students

Community Milwaukee, WI Economic capital Pop. 546,000 22% families in poverty 71% “minorities”

Be the Difference

Legal Action of Wisconsin VLPLegal Action of Wisconsin VLP

LSC granteeLSC grantee Integrated staff and pro bono programIntegrated staff and pro bono program

45 staff lawyers & 25 paralegals (approx.)45 staff lawyers & 25 paralegals (approx.) 1400 volunteers1400 volunteers

Serving 39 southern countiesServing 39 southern counties Includes the state’s most urbanized areas Includes the state’s most urbanized areas

and many rural countiesand many rural counties Extensive training and supportExtensive training and support Equal Justice Under LawEqual Justice Under Law

The State Bar of WisconsinThe State Bar of Wisconsin

14,000 active, resident members14,000 active, resident members Over 50% report some free pro bonoOver 50% report some free pro bono Goal is a 20% annual increase in pro Goal is a 20% annual increase in pro

bonobono ATJ & pro bono part of strategic planATJ & pro bono part of strategic plan Legal Assistance Committee roleLegal Assistance Committee role Benefits and resourcesBenefits and resources Communications & recruitment effortsCommunications & recruitment efforts

Distinct, Overlapping Missions

UW Law School

Legal Actionof WI

Marquette Law School

State Barof WI

Some Challenges

Students Commitment —time & school calendar Limitations of student practice rule

Providers resources for training & supervision

Lawyers/Firms/Bar Finding lawyers willing to take pro bono

and supervise law students

Opportunities

Shaping the next generation of lawyers

Building familiarity and commitment among new partners

Learning opportunity for students Increasing access to justice

Requirements of Collaboration

Time Relationships Commitment Resources

Traditional Efforts

Some collaboration

Clinical experiences Unemployment Family law Restraining orders General legal clinics Internships

Less Traditional

Higher level of collaboration involved Broader Partnerships

Pro Bono Initiative CALR Partnering with nonprofit law firms M-LINC Law firm sponsored clinic

Lessons

Communicate early and often Holistic approaches add

strength/depth

Questions?Questions?