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The CBA Pro Bono Committee, Statewide Legal Services of CT, and Connecticut Veterans Legal Center held a series of Pro Bono Clinics virtually on April 27 through 29, where 35 attorney volunteers met with a total of 50 clients over Zoom meetings.
Before the clinic, 30 volunteer law students completed client intake forms and asked follow-up questions to help the attorneys prepare for the meetings and give the best possible legal advice.
On the days of the clinic, the volunteer attorneys provided free legal guidance to the clients in the areas of family law, landlord/tenant law, immigration law, tax law, consumer law, bankruptcy, employee rights/unemployment, and pardons. Four law students were able to sit in on the meetings to learn more about the process of providing pro bono services.
“Connecticut’s access to justice gap continues to grow, particularly aggravated by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The enthusiastic participation of our attorney and law student volunteers during our Virtual Spring Pro Bono Clinics represents the Connecticut Bar Association at its best,” said CBA President-elect and Pro Bono Committee Chair Cecil J. Thomas. “Our volunteers worked together, supported by the CBA’s dedicated staff, to provide much-needed legal advice and reassurance to clinic participants facing the uncertainty and stress of serious legal issues.”
Additional virtual legal clinics are planned for late October of 2021. Other opportunities for participating in pro bono work through the CBA include CBA Pro Bono Connect, CT Free Legal Answers, and Lawyers in the Libraries. Learn more at ctbar.org/probono. Thank you to all those who volunteered at this important event that supports the public’s access to legal representation.