Trainings presented by the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program, in partnership with legal services providers in the District, saw higher attendance and case placement rates during the 2008—2009 program year.

“Our training programs are an important gateway to engaging attorneys in pro bono service,” Pro Bono Program Director Maureen Syracuse says.

The most popular sessions this year were on veterans’ claims (120 attendees), political asylum (92 attendees), and bankruptcy (90 attendees). Attorneys who attend training sessions agree to take two pro bono cases over the year, making the training program an important system for absorbing cases the Pro Bono Program or the cosponsoring legal services providers are seeking to place.

In fact, 80 percent of the attorneys who attended the fall training on veterans’ claims accepted a case soon after completing the course. In addition to providing ongoing representation to clients, some attorneys choose to provide pro bono services through brief advice clinics being offered by the Pro Bono Program and other local legal services providers.

The training sessions offer attorneys an opportunity to learn about a practice area in which they may not work every day, as well as other professional benefits.

“A lot of attendees see the trainings as networking opportunities,” says Michele Meitl, a Pro Bono Program staff attorney and training manager. “Some attorneys who are out of work attend the trainings or clinics to stay active in their practice areas and engage their skills as a lawyer to serve community clients who really need their expertise and assistance.”

The training curriculum is designed to prepare attorneys to respond to the current needs of the D.C. community. At present, the Pro Bono Program is in dialogue with other legal services providers so that future trainings cover topics for which there is a real and immediate need for legal assistance.

“ In the coming year, we will partner with the D.C. Consortium of Legal Services Providers to provide two new trainings for specific attorney populations,” Meitl says. “We are hosting a session for new staff attorneys and another for deferred associates working at public interest organizations. These trainings will help get new attorneys on their feet as they practice law in an environment that is very different than a firm or law school.”

In addition to the updated curriculum, the coming year will bring other new experiences.

“ In the Bar’s new offices, our training facilities will be sunny and bright,” Meitl says. “We will have great new technological capabilities. I’m very excited.”