The firm expects individual attorneys to devote
from 20 to 40 hours per year to pro bono or community service activities.
The individual attorney is free to select the pro bono or community
service activity that interests the attorney and meets the firm
definition. All hours spent on pro bono and community service projects
are treated as billable hours.
The firm's award-winning pro bono program has been recognized by the Delaware Bar Association as a leader in the state. Members of the Pro Bono and Community Service Committee regularly participate in programs to educate other law firms on the firm's successes.
Individual Projects
A
number of the firm’s attorneys elect to participate in pro
bono projects on their own. For example, firm attorneys participate
on the Federal Civil Panel, volunteering to handle prisoner cases
brought in the federal court. Others provide employment advice to
local non-profit service agencies, while others are involved in
securing tax-exempt status for non-profits or providing legal advice
to non-profits. Associates are encouraged to sit on the boards of
non-profits as a way to gain experience and give back to the community.
Teams
Most of the firm’s attorneys elect to join one or more of
the firm’s pro bono teams. The teams are composed of both
directors and associates from various practice areas within the
firm. Each team focuses on a specific pro bono need and works to
help individuals in the community. Further, each team has its own
training program and meets periodically to discuss the experiences
of individual members and current issues.
The Pro Bono and Community Service Committee meets periodically to develop additional teams and to identify projects that will attract the interests of attorneys within the firm. The Committee also mentors the work of attorneys engaged in pro bono activities, providing help and guidance when necessary.Child Advocate. This team is composed of approximately 30 attorneys who serve as guardians for children involved in child welfare proceedings. An attorney may be appointed to represent the interests of a minor child where both parents are incarcerated or otherwise unavailable to protect the interests of that child. On occasion, members of this team will represent several children of the same parents in a custody proceeding.
Mentors. The firm has adopted Bancroft Academy, a City of Wilmington lower school. The firm contributes substantially to Bancroft's art program, and student art is displayed in the firm’s conference center. As a community service project, approximately 30 attorneys have been trained as mentors and are currently tutoring third, fourth and fifth graders at Bancroft in reading and math skills.
Protection from Abuse. This team assists victims of domestic violence in securing protection from abuse orders in the Family Court of the State of Delaware. Members are assigned on an as-needed basis at hearings every Friday. These volunteers attend the hearings, which are similar to mini-trials, as the victim's advocate.
Wills. Over 25 attorneys are trained to assist impoverished individuals in drafting wills and living wills. Members of this team are assigned on an individual basis by Delaware Volunteers for Legal Services. There is a substantial need for this assistance in the State.