The NYS Unified Court System Office for Justice Initiatives has joined the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service to sponsor annual National Pro Bono Celebration Week from October 25-31, 2020. The Access to Justice Program will hold virtual events for lawyers and unrepresented court uses to celebrate pro bono!
2020 events include:
• Free pre-recorded Court Help Center Webinar
• Free Pro Bono Training
• Pro Bono Awards Night
Court Help Center Webinar
In 2020, in response to the Covid-19 health crisis and in celebration of National Pro Bono Week, on October 26, 2020, the Office for Justice Initiatives released an informational webinar titled Accessing Justice During Covid-19. Content for the pre-recorded webinar was provided by the Bronx County, Erie County and New York County Surrogates Court Help Centers, the Nassau County Supreme Court Help Center and the Office for Justice Initiatives. The webinar provided information on Surrogate’s Court proceedings including Small Estates and Administration proceedings, Supreme Court matters including Adult Name Changes and Uncontested Divorces as well as free online resources. A registration link was provided to enable attendees to receive information about future events directly and to obtain viewer feedback. This project was developed to continue the tradition of Help Centers providing information to court users during National Pro Bono Week, in a safe way.
Accessing Justice During Covid-19 (Video)
Transcript
Pro Bono Training
The NYS Unified Court System Office for Justice Initiatives offered a free online CLE for its newly launched Virtual Uncontested Divorce Pro Bono Project. The live-streamed program, attended by 118 attorneys and law students, took place on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM. In return for 2 CLE credits and 10 pro bono CLE credits, participants will complete 20 hours of pro bono service assisting unrepresented litigants with Uncontested Divorces in the Virtual Supreme Court Uncontested Divorce Clinic. Pro Bono Training Flyer
Pro Bono Awards Night
The NYS Unified Court System Office for Justice Initiatives, the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), and the New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA) co-sponsored a virtual pro bono volunteer recognition event on Thursday, October 29, 2020. The awards ceremony in celebration of National Pro Bono week took place on Zoom. Program presenters included the Honorable Edwina G. Richardson-Mendelson, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives, Scott M. Karson, President of the New York State Bar Association, and Anthe Maria Bova, General Counsel and Pro Bono Director of the New York County Lawyers Association. One hundred and eighty-two attorneys and law students virtually attended the Zoom event. Twenty-seven volunteers received plaque awards for outstanding service and 164 received certificates recognizing their dedicated service in the Office for Justice Intiatives' programs. See the program brochure for the list of honorees.
Past Celebrations
Every October, the NYS Courts Access to Justice Program holds events to celebrate Pro Bono service in the New York State Courts. Click the links below to see information about past celebrations.
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2019
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2018
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2017
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2016
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2015
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2014
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2013
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2012
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2011
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2010