Pro Bono Committee
The mission of the Pro Bono Committee is to encourage the attorneys of the York County Bar Association to participate in the Pro Bono activities. That means both taking cases for those who need attorneys as well as paying the $250 annual opt out fee, the funds going directly to MidPenn Legal Services operation of the York Office.
Over 51% of the members of the York County Bar Association participate in some way in the York County Pro Bono Program.
When it is taken into consideration that certain attorneys are unable to participate in the Pro Bono Program (Judges, Assistant DAs and etc. ) the participation level exceeds 51% of the members of the York County Bar Association.
Clinics are conducted under the Committee's supervision to help people handling their own Custody and Divorce matters.
The Committee also sponsors educational seminars through the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center (PIRC) to educate and encourage more attorneys to get involved in Pro Bono Immigration issues. The York County Pro Bono Committee has appropriately coordinated its activity through Mid Penn Legal Services and PIRC to make sure that as many of the legal needs of York County’s poor can be met as are possible.
2009 Pro Bono Committee
Larry Young-Chair
Angela Eveler
Ann Marie McElwee
Bill Gierasch
Brooks Pomper
Craig Sharnetzka
James Logue
Patrick Cicero
Susan Emmons
Tom Kearney
Will Kirkpatrick
PRO BONO COMMITTEE
2008 YEAR END REPORT
PRO BONO COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Lawrence V. Young, Chair
William Gierasch, Jr. Tom Kearney
Brooks Pomper Susan Emmons
Ann Marie McElwee Craig Sharnetzka
William Kirkpatrick Angela Eveler
Paula Silverstein Cindy Van Laeys
I. 2008 Committee Goals
To continue encouraging the attorneys of the York County Bar Association to participate in the Pro Bono activities. That means both taking cases for those who need an attorney, as well as paying the $250 Annual Opt-Out fee, the funds going directly to MidPenn Legal Services operation of the York Office. We have also continued to expand the ways in which attorneys can participate in Pro Bono. In working with the Domestic Relations Section of the York County Bar Association, we have revived holding Pro Se Custody clinics and Pro Se Divorce clinics. We are also working with the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center (PIRC) to encourage Pro Bono participation by taking an immigration case.
II. Project Status Report
The Committee is pleased to report that over 50% of the members of the York County Bar Association participate in some way in the York County Pro Bono Program.
We have also expanded the ability for Public Defenders and Assistant District Attorneys to participate in the Opt-Out Program by reducing the Opt-Out Fee of Pro Bono participation to 50% of the normal rate.
III. Recommendation for 2008.
This Committee sees its work as perpetual. The Pro Bono needs of the poor in York County must continue to be a mission of the York County Bar Association and Foundation.
IV. Other Suggestions and Comments:
For anybody who is not involved, I encourage signing up to take a case or signing up to pay the $250 Annual Opt-Out fee.
