Edward Berkowitz has become the face to remember at the Community Economic Development (CED) Project’s Small Business Brief Advice Legal Clinics. It is easy to see why: Ed, a retired in-house counsel for Kastle Systems, has volunteered at 27 of 33 of these clinics since 2005.

Ed has spent more than 100 hours answering questions and giving astute advice to clients, and he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Many clinic attendees have raved about his great advice, and those who return to the clinics request him by name.

"I was attracted to the small business clinics because they served the type of client I had long represented and have admired for many years—the small businessman going out on his own. [I enjoy] helping clients who are trying to succeed in business,” Ed says.

CED Project Staff Attorney Darryl Maxwell, who supervises the clinics, says Ed’s advice has helped small business owners make informed legal decisions that allow their businesses to thrive.

"Ed is as fascinated and excited about our clients’ vision as they are,” Darryl says. “He’s thoughtful, methodical, and provides both expert legal advice and a sensible ear. Having Ed at our clinics puts me at ease.”

On average, 15 to 20 attorneys volunteer at each clinic. The CED Project provides attorneys with a volunteer manual and holds a formal training on small business issues once a year, but many volunteers say shadowing veterans such as Ed is an essential part of their training process.

Ed has a background in both small town and big firm law that gives him a unique perspective on the value of pro bono work to the development of the legal profession.

“ I am always pleased to see many young attorneys who work with large institutional or government-oriented law firms show up at our clinics and really throw themselves into trying to bring their skills into play in a very ‘real world’ environment where they can interact with their clients on a ‘here-and-now’ basis,” Ed says. “Not only do the clinics give those attorneys a feeling of accomplishment, but [the clinics also return] them to their employers with a lot more useful experience than they had before they joined us.”

Thank you to Ed for his continued commitment and dedication to pro bono!