See Credit Details Below
Overview
While the ethical obligations of pro bono legal practice are no different than a commercial law practice, there are practical considerations regarding eligibility of clients, challenging clients, conflicts (similar in theory, different in practice settings), expectations on both sides, case management responsibility, and different delivery models, such as limited scope representation, that cause many professionals to hesitate to offer pro bono legal services. This program is designed to answer questions regarding the ethical obligations of pro bono legal service, encourage attorneys to engage in this professionally rewarding aspect of law practice, and remove ambiguities that are barriers to engaging in pro bono legal services.
What You Will Learn
Attorneys knowledgeable about professional responsibility and pro bono services, from a variety of practice backgrounds, including, legal services, law firms, private bar programs and in-house corporate law departments, will discuss the application of the California Rules of Professional Conduct, the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, and, where relevant, the Proposed California Rules of Professional Conduct to pro bono legal service in different settings. Using an interactive teaching approach, the faculty will engage attendees with hypothetical fact patterns throughout the program to illustrate the application of the rules to real-world practice.
Upon completing the program, participants will be able to:
- Understand the basics of pro bono, including the definition of “Pro Bono” for lawyers
- Recognize why pro bono is an important part of the profession and implement a plan to avoid common barriers to pro bono practice
- Identify and avoid ethical concerns unique to pro bono, particularly in the areas of conflicts, competence, confidentiality, communication, and professionalism, among others
- Understand emerging ethical issues in developing areas, such as pro bono clinics, remote pro bono service, pro bono in Federal courts, and the impact of technology in pro bono legal services.
Special Feature(s): Scholarships are available to attend this program.
Program Level: Update
Prerequisites: An interest in learning best practices for providing ethical and impactful pro bono representation.
Advanced Preparation: None
Lecture Topics [Total time 00:03:35]
Segments with an asterisk (*) are available only with the purchase of the entire program.
- Opening Remarks* [00:11:53]
Tiela Chalmers, Danielle MacRae - Pro Bono Rules; Commencing and Conducting the Representation [01:01:24]
Phong S. Wong, Tiela Chalmers, Christopher M. Tirrell, Toby J. Rothschild, Renee Glover Chantler - Conducting the Representation Continued – Conflicts, Competence and Professionalism [01:00:38]
Phong S. Wong, Tiela Chalmers, Christopher M. Tirrell, Toby J. Rothschild, Renee Glover Chantler - Conducting the Representation Continued – Clarity, Confidentiality, Communication and Closing [01:01:20]
Phong S. Wong, Tiela Chalmers, Christopher M. Tirrell, Toby J. Rothschild, Renee Glover Chantler
The purchase price of this Web Program includes the following articles from the Course Handbook available online:
- Complete Course Handbook
- Ethical Issues in California Pro Bono Representation 2023, Outline with Remote Resource and Additional Links
Christopher M. Tirrell,Jonathan McNeil Wong,Phong S. Wong,Renee Glover Chantler,Tiela Chalmers,Toby J. Rothschild - Ethics of Pro Bono, LA County Bar Update, Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA) (March 2021)
Toby J. Rothschild - State of California, California Business and Professions Code, Section 6068
Christopher M. Tirrell,Jonathan McNeil Wong,Phong S. Wong,Renee Glover Chantler,Tiela Chalmers,Toby J. Rothschild - Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Court Administrators, Resolution 5—Reaffirming the Commitment to Meaningful Access to Justice for All
Toby J. Rothschild - How to Get Started with Pro Bono Service, Los Angeles Lawyer
Laura Riley,Phong S. Wong - California Rules of Court—Rule 9.46. Registered In-House Counsel (Revised July 1, 2020)
Christopher M. Tirrell,Jonathan McNeil Wong,Phong S. Wong,Renee Glover Chantler,Tiela Chalmers,Toby J. Rothschild - California Rules of Court—Rule 9.45. Registered Legal Aid Attorneys (Revised July 1, 2020)
Christopher M. Tirrell,Jonathan McNeil Wong,Phong S. Wong,Renee Glover Chantler,Tiela Chalmers,Toby J. Rothschild - Segal v. State Bar of California, 44 Cal.3d 1077 (1988)
Toby J. Rothschild - Nichols v. Keller, 15 Cal.App.4th 1672 (1993)
Toby J. Rothschild - Interpreter/Translator Confidentiality Rules and Rules of Professional Conduct Agreement, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Phong S. Wong - Release of Information for Pro Bono Placement, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Phong S. Wong - Language Challenges for Effective and Ethical Client Representation, LA County Bar Update, Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA) (April 2022)
Toby J. Rothschild - Shriver Housing Project—Los Angeles, Firm Full Scope Retainer Agreement
Phong S. Wong - Shriver Housing Project—LA Eviction Assistance Center, Limited Scope Agreement
Phong S. Wong - Sample Written Fee Agreements (May 17, 2019)
Tiela Chalmers - The State Bar of California, Sample Written Fee Agreements Forms, Instructions and Comments (May 17, 2019)
Tiela Chalmers - Issues with Remote Working
Toby J. Rothschild - Frequently Asked Questions: Ethical Obligations in Remote Working and Remote Legal Services (June 2020)
Toby J. Rothschild
Presentation Material
- Ethical Issues in California Pro Bono Representation 2023 (PowerPoint Slides)
Tiela Chalmers, Renee Glover Chantler, Toby J. Rothschild, Christopher M. Tirrell, Phong S. Wong
Why You Should Attend
While the ethical obligations of pro bono legal practice are no different than a commercial law practice, there are practical considerations regarding eligibility of clients, challenging clients, conflicts (similar in theory, different in practice settings), expectations on both sides, case management responsibility, and different delivery models, such as limited scope representation, that cause many professionals to hesitate to offer pro bono legal services. This program is designed to answer questions regarding the ethical obligations of pro bono legal service, encourage attorneys to engage in this professionally rewarding aspect of law practice, and remove ambiguities that are barriers to engaging in pro bono legal services.
What You Will Learn
Attorneys knowledgeable about professional responsibility and pro bono services, from a variety of practice backgrounds, including, legal services, law firms, private bar programs and in-house corporate law departments, will discuss the application of the California Rules of Professional Conduct, the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, and, where relevant, the Proposed California Rules of Professional Conduct to pro bono legal service in different settings. Using an interactive teaching approach, the faculty will engage attendees with hypothetical fact patterns throughout the program to illustrate the application of the rules to real-world practice.
Upon completing the program, participants will be able to:
- Understand the basics of pro bono, including the definition of “Pro Bono” for lawyers
- Recognize why pro bono is an important part of the profession and implement a plan to avoid common barriers to pro bono practice
- Identify and avoid ethical concerns unique to pro bono, particularly in the areas of conflicts, competence, confidentiality, communication, and professionalism, among others
- Understand emerging ethical issues in developing areas, such as pro bono clinics, remote pro bono service, pro bono in Federal courts, and the impact of technology in pro bono legal services.
Who Should Attend
Law firm pro bono coordinators, partners, and associates, legal services pro bono coordinators and staff, in-house corporate pro bono managers and counsels, solos, small and medium firm attorneys engaged in pro bono legal services, court-based program administrators for self-represented litigants, judges, and everyone interested in access to justice.
Special Feature(s): Scholarships are available to attend this program.
Program Level: Update
Prerequisites: An interest in learning best practices for providing ethical and impactful pro bono representation.
Advanced Preparation: None