As 2016 winds down, change is in the air – change that is sure to affect our organization, our volunteers, and our clients in the new year.
Of most pressing concern are possible cuts to civil legal aid funding beginning in 2017. Because of likely funding shortfalls and potential changes to federal policy, our clients will struggle more to access justice; and worse yet, they may be denied the services they need to provide shelter and food for their families.
Read MoreI’m still processing what happened on Election Night, and I am sure that you are too. There’s been a nervous buzz in the legal services community about what the changes in Washington could mean for our legal work. It is possible that there may be drastic cuts to legal aid funding lines.
Read MoreIt turned out that finding a new part-time successions attorney was easier than we thought – she was already right under our roof!
Read MoreAmericCorps and The Pro Bono Project have something in common in their missions: they help to strengthen and move communities forward, while providing an educational/training component for their member volunteers. So, it’s no surprise that when Executive Director Jenny Rizzo-Choi wanted to find someone who could bring a variety of skills to fill in some of the non-legal gaps around The Project, she chose to access an AmeriCorps volunteer.
Read MoreFor one week every October since 2009, The American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service has recognized pro bono civil legal service with its National Pro Bono Celebration (NPBC). Hundreds of events are held across the country annually, by organizations like The Pro Bono Project, to provide direct services to pro bono clients and additional volunteer opportunities for attorneys, paralegals and others. This year, the NPBC runs from Sunday, October 23 until Saturday October 29.
Read MoreFrom New Orleans Citybusiness, September 19, 2016 by Prinsey Walker
A 15-year-old girl faced deportation back to El Salvador this year. Remaining in Kenner with her two American siblings meant that she needed a lawyer willing to help her, but she lacked the financial resources to afford one.
Read MoreIt's over for 2016 and we had lots of fun!!
A special Thank You to our Honorary Co-Chairs Gary Solomon, Jr. and Seth Bloom, Esq. for their efforts in making the 2016 JFAB a big success.
To all our Spotlight Sponsors, Benefactors, Patrons, Sponsors and all those who purchased Ball and raffle tickets, bid at the live and silent auction or made financial contributions - your generous support is greatly appreciated.
Congratulations and applause to JFAB Committee Chair Jan Hayden, and Vice-Chair Dana Douglas, and the many sub-committee chairs and committee members and other volunteers and staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes throughout the year and during the Ball.
Our thanks also to all of the local restaurants, caterers and bars who contributed their culinary and mixology talents to the evening, as well as to the staff of the Audubon Tea Room, who coordinated with everyone.
To the many businesses throughout the metro area who provided a raffle or auction prize, ad space or other product or service - your donation helped make the evening fun for all! And, of course, to 501 Auctions for making it easy for everyone to get in on the bidding during the live and silent auction.
To auctioneer John Calhoun, Flow Tribe and the NOCCA Student Jazz Quartet - thank you for entertaining everyone from beginning to end!
Finally, a huge thanks to Solomon Group for bringing their high tech/high touch creativity and production to overall event from the invitation design to the environs of the Patron Party and Audubon Tea Room.
The JFAB takes a village to produce every year and we couldn't do it without the many individuals and businesses who work with us on this event. We've named only a few here - our gratitude extends to everyone in this large 'JFAB family' who helps to make the Ball fun for party-goers and a success for us. Thank you for your continued support!!!
If you missed this year's event - you can see some highlights on our Facebook page or the JFAB 2016 page. RAFFLE and AUCTION winners are up.
Nothing like a little "Southern Comfort" at the beach for a few days.
Featured as a live auction item, attorney Linda Olup, proprietor of Southern Comfort is offering some lucky supporter of The Pro Bono Project six (6) nights and seven (7) days at this lovely Panama City beach house, which sleeps up to 10 people.
One of the premier items up for bid in the live auction is Royal Orléans House manuscript recording the payment of "portion of pension" for the benefit of Sieur Hennequin.
This is a chance to bid on a beautiful, rare document that could make a terrific centerpiece in your conference room, dining room - or really anywhere that you want to showcase your NOLA-ties. This kind of unique document has a great story behind it and it sure makes for a great conversation starter!
If you are a history buff, a collector of rare books or documents, or a bit of a Sherlock Holmes, you’re going to love being at the Justice For All Ball this year.
Read MoreIn 2015 The Pro Bono Project (The Project) handled 1,400 cases, serving almost 3,000 people. As the need for pro bono civil legal services in the six parishes that the organization serves continues to grow by an average of 10-15% annually, The Project’s Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi and its Executive Committee have divided the tasks once overseen by a “chief legal officer” into two separate management positions: a Managing Attorney for Direct Client Services and a Managing Attorney for Volunteer Engagement.
Read MoreSold to the highest bidder with lots of fun and entertainment, thanks to auctioneer John Calhoun, who has come on board to work with Justice For All Ball Auction and Raffle Committee Chairs, Mark Kaplinsky and Lacey Rochester, respectively.
Read MoreSummer is always eventful at The Pro Bono Project between the excitement surrounding JFAB preparations and managing the day-to-day work around clients, cases and volunteers! Those volunteers often include a group of summer interns/externs ...
Read MoreThe Pro Bono Project welcomed ...
Read MoreThey’re young, they’re hip, each successful in their chosen field and they’re committed – to New Orleans and to The Pro Bono Project. Gary Solomon, Jr., (l) and Seth Bloom, Esq., (r) may be considered the proverbial ‘men about town’ – but don’t let that fool you. The two are committed to leading this city forward and bringing about positive change in whatever way they can.
Read MoreAt the recent annual meeting of the Louisiana State Bar Association in Destin, FL, two of The Pro Bono Project’s most ardent supporters were honored with the prestigious President’s Award, which recognizes attorneys for their substantial contribution to the legal profession.
Read MoreThe Pro Bono Project recently hosted two interns as part of the inaugural year of the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Access to Justice Developing Leadership Intern Program. This program is the result of the collaborative efforts of the Louisiana Supreme Court, Louisiana District Judges Association, Louisiana Bar Foundation, civil legal aid providers, law schools, the Louisiana State Bar Association, and four law firms: Adams and Reese and Phelps Dunbar supported two New Orleans-based interns; and Baker Donelson and Jones Walker sponsored two interns in Baton Rouge.
Read MoreBoard member and Justice For All Ball Committee Chair, Jan Hayden of Baker Donelson is pleased to announce that Gary Solomon, Jr. (l), co-founder and president of Solomon Group and Seth Bloom, Esq. (r), founder and managing partner of Bloom Legal LLC will serve as Honorary Co-Chairs for The Justice For All Ball. The Ball is scheduled for Friday, September 16, 2016, 8 pm to midnight at the Audubon Tea Room; a patron party will precede the event.
Read MoreSince July of 2009, Chief Legal Officer Linton Carney has worked quietly behind the scenes at The Pro Bono Project, managing the caseload, volunteers, interns and clients that pass through The Project’s doors annually.
Read MoreRecently, The Project was asked by the Court and the Bar Foundation to manage the Self Help Resource Center (SHRC) at 24th Judicial District Court in Jefferson Parish. We need your help to man the SHRC and so we're reaching out to firms and solo practitioners to adopt a day, a week, or a month. Volunteer now!
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