The Connecticut Pro Bono Network is addressing a very important issue in the delivery of pro bono legal services. When it came to preparing pro bono attorneys for representation of low-income clients, many factors which might affect the ability of the attorney to serve the client effectively were not routinely addressed. Typically, pro bono attorneys were trained on substantive areas of the law, but not on whom their clients were, how to work with them in the most productive way and what community resources were available to help them. As a result, the Connecticut Pro Bono Network has devised an attorney training program addressing the social, economic and other differences often times present between attorneys and clients. The hope is that the training will help the attorney-client relationship become a healthier and more positive interaction. The training itself is made up of several presentations conducted over a three and half hour period. At the moment, the training is not mandatory for volunteer attorneys, but may potentially be offered on an annual basis.
Contact Information:
Patricia Kaplan New Haven Legal Assistance Association, Inc. 426 State Street New Haven, CT 06510 Phone: (203) 946-4811 Fax: (203) 498-9271 Email
LSC:
America's Partner for Equal Justice 