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Ken Liu, former National Director of CLS Legal Aid, wrote
“Pro Bono, Pro Deo or Both?”
"A lawyer should aspire to render at least (50) hours of pro bono legal services per year. In fulfilling this responsibility, the lawyer should...provide a substantial majority of the...hours without fee or expectation of fee to persons of limited means...In addition, a lawyer should voluntarily contribute financial support to organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means."
American Bar Association, Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 6.1, amended 1992
"He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.... Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them."
Proverbs 14:31,22:22-23
"Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.."
The Teachings of Jesus, Luke 12:33-34
Consider Two Advertisements:
"Lawyer wanted! Must desire income in excess of $100,000. Apply on the 38th floor.
"Lawyer wanted! Must desire income not to exceed $30,000. Apply in the basement"
In a legal profession where the twin "gods" of personal autonomy and financial security have finally become for too many the measure of all things, it is easy to see why the elevator to the 38th floor will be jammed, but the steps leading to the basement floor of legal aid and voluntary service will echo with very little traffic. For many good legal and pragmatic reasons, no state or federal bar association yet mandates pro bono assistance to the poor as a condition for practicing law.
But for the Christian lawyer, the issue is not so much about pro bono aspirations or improving our professional image. It's more about the pro Deo duty we owe to God. Isn't it the biblical duty of the Christian lawyer to love and voluntarily seek to defend the "poor," the "needy," the "weak," and the fatherless? "(Ps 82:3,Pr. 31:9).
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There is a significant need for legal aid attorneys in our society. Currently, there is only one legal aid attorney for every 10,000 people in poverty in the United States. We believe God commands us to plead the cause of the poor and needy. Christian attorneys have unique tools and skills necessary to help people who face injustices. And only Christian lawyers are able to provide these skills while sharing God’s love and Good News with those who are hurting.
We offer services by sharing the volunteer attorneys to the specific requests by many who call and by hosting periodic clinics for those seeking general assistance. In nearly 70% of the approximately 17 million lawsuits filed each year, defendants are unrepresented by counsel. This means that each year nearly 12 million defendants face the daunting task of navigating the legal system on their own. Similarly, from the perspective of proactively seeking help, they don’t even know where to start.
CLA clinics serve anyone in need in our local communities regardless of their faith. Many clinics have income limits based on federal poverty rates to serve those who are most in need. CLA clinics are served by volunteers in our community.
CLA clinics accept a wide variety of lawyer and non-lawyer volunteers to help. We will train and equip you to serve as a volunteer for future clinics.
Interested in volunteering, start by filling in the volunteer form and then call Joan Perkins, Administrative Director, at:
joanperkins@perkinsfirm.com
(318)-585-0231
670 Albemarle St. Suite1200
Shreveport, LA 71106