On January 25 and 26, the Connecticut Bar Association (CBA) Pro Bono Committee and Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut held a Free Legal Advice Clinic, where 29 volunteer attorneys met with 57 clients over Zoom meetings. Prior to the clinic, 19 volunteer paralegal and law students completed intake forms and asked follow-up questions to help the attorneys prepare for the meetings and provide the best possible legal advice. Three interpreters assisted the clinic by helping non-English speaking clients communicate with the volunteers.
On the days of the clinic, the volunteer attorneys met with clients and provided free legal guidance on topics involving family law, immigration, housing, and employment law. Several clients expressed their appreciation for the legal advice provided, with one client notably remarking after their meeting, “I finally have a plan.”
“This event was a tremendous success and the feedback from our clients was extremely positive,” stated CBA President-Elect and Pro Bono Committee co-chair Margaret I. Castinado. “I cannot thank our dedicated pro bono attorneys enough for their dedication and tireless efforts in helping to close the access to justice gap. I would also like to thank the CBA staff for their tremendous work on all our pro bono programs.”
Pro Bono Committee co-chair Dan Brody stated, “There is no shortage of legal issues and challenges out there and individuals and families who may not be able to afford an attorney need that legal guidance as much as any other person or company. It is really heartening to see how the Connecticut Bar Association can come together on this regular basis to assist our community. Everyone, from the attorneys to the students to the clients are better off for it. And, aside from providing this valuable help, I would love to see a recipient of the Free Legal Advice Clinic go into law themselves. I know the difference that our lawyers’ volunteer hours make, and I’d love to see that go one step further, with the interaction of our attorneys inspiring someone to similarly pursue a career in law and, of course, volunteer with the Clinic too.”