Connecting private attorneys with organizations that offer pro bono opportunities is the goal of the annual All-City Pro Bono Fair in Seattle. DWT hosted this year’s fair on June 30.
During the down economy, pro bono legal service organizations have seen a dramatic increase in the numbers of individuals, families, and community organizations that need their help. With that increase, of course, comes the need for more volunteer attorneys.
“This was a good opportunity for legal service providers to showcase both the services they offer to their communities and how attorneys can help them provide those services,” says Julie Orr, DWT’s pro bono coordinator, who organized the event on behalf of the Seattle Area Pro Bono Coordinators.
About 20 organizations, including ACLU of Washington, TeamChild, Legal Voice, King County Dependency CASA, and Washington Attorneys Assisting Community Organizations, exhibited at the event. Attorneys, summer associates, and paralegals from DWT, Perkins Coie, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, Cooley LLP, Garvey Schubert Barer, Stoel Rives, and K&L Gates attended, as did several solo practitioners and law students.
Fairgoers were treated to comments from Mark Fordham, assistant general counsel at Starbucks, Anne Kelly, associate general counsel with Microsoft Legal & Corporate Affairs, and King County Superior Court Judge Mary Yu, who made a compelling appeal to all to do pro bono service. DWT partner Dan Waggoner was master of ceremonies.