Pro Bono

Cardozo Society Legal Services

Justice Cardozo once remarked:

Membership in the bar is a privilege burdened with conditions. [An attorney is] received into that ancient fellowship for something more than private gain. He [becomes] an officer of the court, and, like the court itself, an instrument or agency to advance the ends of justice.

People ex rel. Karlin v. Culkin, 162 N. E. 487, 489 (1928).

This statement has long been used as a rallying cry to urge lawyers to engage in pro bono work. The Washington Supreme Court and the WSBA have taken up this call to arms.

Every lawyer has a professional responsibility to assist in the provision of legal services to those unable to pay. A lawyer should aspire to render at least thirty (30) hours of pro bono public service per year.

Washington Rules of Professional Conduct 6.1.

Pro Bono and Jewish Teaching

Jewish lawyers can draw from an even older source urging pro bono work. Our sages teach us that donating one’s time and professional skill is even greater than giving charity, for while charity can only be done with money, acts of kindness can be done with one’s whole person. Talmud Tractate Sukkah 49B. It is thus with great pleasure that we announce the launching of the Washington State Cardozo Society Pro Bono Program.

About the Pro Bono Program

Every month, or as more pressing needs arise, we will be announcing opportunities for Cardozo lawyers to get involved in pro bono work with a wide variety of legal service providers throughout Washington. There are many such organizations in Washington providing legal services in many different practice areas. If you are looking for a pro bono organization that offers services and/or training in a specific practice area, contact the Cardozo Society pro bono chair, Dan Swedlow at daswedlow@stoel.com or look below for a list of organizations with descriptions and contact information. Please report all your pro bono hours to Rebecca Cohen at RebeccaC@JewishinSeattle.org so we can recognize your commitment at upcoming Cardozo Society and Jewish Federation related programs.

Interested in getting Pro Bono opportunity updates? Click here to get on our Pro Bono list. The Pro Bono list will receive email updates with a featured pro bono opportunity as they arise.

Are you looking for a lawyer? Check out the Professional Directory of Jewish Washington for full listings.