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Through its Center for
the Public Interest, Brown Rudnick supports access to justice by strongly
encouraging the provision of legal
assistance on a free or "pro bono" basis to appropriate
individuals and non-profit organizations who otherwise might have great
difficulty obtaining legal help. The Firm recognizes that provision
of pro bono service is personally and professionally rewarding, as well as an
important contribution to the assurance of equal access to justice in our
communities.
Brown Rudnick has a
longstanding commitment to working in the public interest, especially with
regard to providing pro bono legal representation to the poor and
disadvantaged. The creation of our Brown Rudnick Center for the Public
Interest is a further tangible expression of that commitment, and one that,
in a very short time, has earned credibility within the Firm while favorably
distinguishing us externally.
Commitment to providing pro
bono legal representation to the poor and disadvantaged is part of the
character of our Firm. We urge all of our attorneys and paralegals to make a
personal commitment to providing such representation in the new fiscal year.
PRO BONO POLICY OF BROWN RUDNICK BERLACK
ISRAELS LLP
Throughout Brown Rudnick’s
history--and more dramatically as its ranks grew and diversified during the
growth period of the late 1970’s and 1980’s--the firm has actively
encouraged all of its professionals to provide legal service pro bono
publico to persons or causes in need of quality legal representation. The
resolution of the American Bar Association House of Delegates expresses our
point of view succinctly:
It is "the basic
responsibility of each lawyer engaged in the practice of law to provide
public interest legal services" without fee or at a substantially reduced
fee.
Brown Rudnick’s encouragement
of pro bono legal services is grounded not only on the societal purpose
directed toward the achievement of equal representation for all, but also --
quite frankly -- on the more self-interested purpose of providing an
additional avenue for individual professional growth and self-fulfillment.
Our hope is that a vital, individualistic pro bono program will aid
significantly in making lawyering a fulfilling, meaningful and long-term
career for all our professionals.
Brown Rudnick subscribes to
the Resolution on Public Interest Legal Service adopted by the Boston Bar
Association in 1987. The Boston Bar Association resolution establishes a
program to encourage lawyers to commit a minimum level of time per year to a
broad category of public interest activities. Brown Rudnick has also
subscribed to the American Bar Association Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge and
Statement of Principles.
Some of Brown Rudnick’s pro
bono efforts focus on matters such as representation at legal clinics for the
homeless, assisting artistic and theatrical groups, working to develop
affordable housing and a focus on education-related work such as involvement
with the Family Advocacy Project and Reach Out and Read.
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