pro bono program - University of Wisconsin Law School

University of Wisconsin Law School
PRO BONO PROGRAM
______________________________________
975 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI 53706-1399
2011-2012 Annual Report
UW LAW SCHOOL
PRO BONO PROGRAM
2011-2012 ANNUAL REPORT
Contact us!
probonoprogram@law.wisc.edu
Visit us online!
law.wisc.edu/probono
Dear Friends,
Thank you. Your collective contributions over the past year were key to our
enormous growth and success.
2011-2012 Student Advisory Committee
Dan Baron, Black Law Students Association
Paul Blalock, Student Bar Association
Adria Crowe, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
Jennifer Cunha, Student Hurricane Network
Trisha Fillbach, Interim Asst. Dean for Career Services
Kathryn Finley, Latino Law Student Association
Mike Hall, Director of Student Life
Ben Kempinen, Pro Bono Program Faculty Advisor
Kevin Layde, National Lawyers Guild
Lauren Murphy, Black Law Students Association
Meg Saito, Public Interest Law Foundation
Michael Turski, Unemployment Appeals Clinic
Erin Vermillion, Public Interest Law Foundation
Henry Weiner, Student Bar Association
Ann Zimmerman, UW Law School Pro Bono Program
Julia Zwak, UW Law School Pro Bono Program
2011-2012 AmeriCorps VISTA Advisory Board
Robin Ellen Frisch, Community Representative
B.J. Ganem, Dane County Veterans Service Office
Jason Johns, Wisconsin Legislative Strategies, Inc.
Kevin Magee, Legal Action of Wisconsin
Steve Schooler, Porchlight, Inc.
Ed Zapala, VA Veterans Justice Outreach Program
Julia Zwak, UW Law School Pro Bono Program
Special Thanks
Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson
Dane County Bar Association
Dean Margaret Raymond
Economic Justice Institute
Legal Action of Wisconsin
Marquette Law School
State Bar of Wisconsin
UW Law School Event Planning Office
UW Law School Copy Shop
UW Law School News
Wisconsin Campus Compact
Produced by: UW Law School Pro Bono Program, Summer 2012. Design: Julia Zwak.
Photo Credits: Jeff Brown, Mike Hall, Deb Heneghan, Nicole Lee, Andy Manis, Jay Salvo, Julia Zwak.
Dean Raymond and the faculty gave us an excellent start in unanimously
supporting the creation of the Pro Bono Society, which recognizes students
who provide outstanding levels of pro bono service. The student response
was impressive: In the past year, UW law students performed 2,300 hours of
service, and 27 students earned the honor of graduating with pro bono distinction.
Clearly, this never would have been possible if our attorney partners hadn’t
first committed to supervising the students eager to work with them. We
were pleased to add a dozen new partners this year. While the students
helped expand the attorneys’ capacity to provide legal services to those in
need, the attorneys provided opportunities for our students to gain practical
work experiences and learn how to incorporate pro bono service into their
busy lives.
Of course, it never hurts to receive support and encouragement from the judiciary, and we were honored to have a number of court officials participate
in our events throughout the year.
Excitement is building for the year ahead. Our Annual Fall Reception is on
September 13, and the Veterans Law Center launches in November. We invite you to join us in providing more pro bono services in the coming year.
With gratitude,
Ann Zimmerman, J.D.
Director, UW Law School Pro Bono Program
About the Pro Bono Program
The UW Law School Pro Bono Program provides students with opportunities to deliver lawrelated services to underrepresented community members. Students are assisted and supported by Pro Bono Program staff with placements in private and nonprofit law firms, legal aid
groups, in-house programs and other organizations, where their pro bono work is performed
under supervision. In keeping with the law school's law-in-action tradition, students develop
legal and professional skills, gain practical, hands-on experience in real work environments,
and explore their ethical responsibility to provide pro bono service.
Program History
The Pro Bono Program (formerly the Pro Bono
Partnership Project) began as a pilot project in
2007. Its basic structure involved pairing law students with local Dane County attorneys to provide legal assistance in civil matters to persons
otherwise unable to secure legal representation.
Initially, the project utilized a volunteer law student to assist Clinical Professors Ben Kempinen
and Marsha Mansfield in administering the program. In the spring of 2011, the Project hired its
first Director, Ann Zimmerman, and was renamed
the UW Law School Pro Bono Program.
From left: Henry Weiner, the Program’s first AmeriCorps VISTA and a current 2L at UW Law School. Julia
Zwak, the Program’s AmeriCorps VISTA during the
2011-2012 year. Jonathan Seok, the Program’s third and
final AmeriCorps VISTA, who will serve during the
2012-2013 year.
From left: Pro Bono Program Faculty Advisors, Ben
Kempinen and Marsha Mansfield. Pro Bono Program
Director, Ann Zimmerman.
The Pro Bono Program & AmeriCorps VISTA
In 2009, the Pro Bono Program received a threeyear renewable AmeriCorps VISTA grant from
Wisconsin Campus Compact, partnering with
Legal Action of Wisconsin to increase the pro
bono activities of UW law students in service to
underrepresented individuals. The VISTA program focuses on building capacity in nonprofit
organizations, schools, and communities toward the end goal of poverty alleviation. The
VISTA member's role at the Pro Bono Program
is not only to ensure the ongoing operation of
the program, but to establish long-term project
sustainability beyond the three-year grant cycle.
Consider donating!
Gifts made to the Pro Bono Program support UW law students as well as the community organizations
and individuals served through student efforts. Donate to the Pro Bono Program via check or online payment through the Economic Justice Institute: law.wisc.edu/fjr/eji/giving.html.
If you are interested in supervising UW law student volunteers working on pro bono matters or if
you have an idea for a pro bono project, visit law.wisc.edu/probono/projects.html to learn more!
2011-2012 Program Highlights
Dean Margaret Raymond and the law school
faculty approved the creation of the Pro Bono
Society, an institutional honor for students
participating in pro bono service during their
tenure at UW Law School.
_________________________________________
Over 100 law students, faculty members, and
community members attended the Pro Bono
Program’s Annual Fall Reception in September. Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson and
Dean Margaret Raymond spoke to students
about the importance of pro bono service.
_________________________________________
The Pro Bono Program formed a Student Advisory Committee to further collaborate with
law student organizations that coordinate student pro bono activities.
_________________________________________
The Pro Bono Program received two State Bar
of Wisconsin Pro Bono Initiative Grants totaling $10,000 to fund the UW Law School Pro
Bono Society and the Veterans Law Center.
_________________________________________
Twenty-seven students were inducted into the
Pro Bono Society, receiving awards of pro bono distinction and an honor cord worn at
graduation.
“The Pro Bono Program helps our
law students become better lawyers
and helps the community
by assisting those with unmet legal
needs. I'm delighted that so many
of our students are enthusiastic
about pro bono service and plan to
make it a part of their legal careers.”
—Dean Margaret Raymond
Left: Dean Margaret Raymond talks with students
about pro bono service at the Annual Fall Reception.
Right, above: Stakeholders meet at the State Bar of
Wisconsin to discuss the Veterans Law Center initiative.
Right, below: Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson and
Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colas at the Annual
Fall Reception.
About the
Pro Bono Program
Partner
Organizations
Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (CWAG)
Student volunteers work closely with CWAG attorneys on
a variety of legal research and community outreach projects, particularly through the Nursing Home Quality Improvement Project and the Wisconsin Guardianship Support Center.
Community Immigration Law Center (CILC)
Law students conduct intake interviews on behalf of CILC
attorneys with walk-in immigrant clients seeking legal information. Coordinated by the Latino Law Student Association.
2011-2012 Program Highlights
2011-2012 Project Supervisors
“I thoroughly enjoy collaborating with the
law students. The clients enjoy feeling like
they are contributing to the student’s education and many express the confidence
they have in UW Law School graduates.”
—Julie Short, Easter Seals Wisconsin
immigrants at the Dodge County Detention Facility,
screening them for possible relief from deportation. Coordinated by the Latino Law Student Association.
Domestic Abuse Intervention Services
Working one-on-one with a supervising attorney, student
volunteers provide assistance on cases addressing a range
of legal issues for victims of domestic violence.
Easter Seals Wisconsin
Under the supervision of a managing attorney, students
provide legal counseling in the preparation of financial and
health care powers of attorney to aging and disabled individuals who are not able to afford legal help in this area.
Foley & Lardner Internship
Dane County Court Appointed Special Advocates
During fall semester, three students participated in a pro
Student advocates meet with families and children in Dane bono internship assisting Foley & Lardner attorneys preCounty and submit reports to advocate on behalf of abused paring for a death penalty case on behalf of an Arizona
and neglected children who are under the legal protection woman challenging her conviction.
of the Dane County Court System.
Student Hurricane Network
Dane County Foreclosure Mediation Program
Students travel to a location that has recently suffered from
Student volunteers assist individuals in financial distress
a major natural disaster, offering volunteer assistance to
with much-needed legal services in preparation for their
legal service organizations addressing issues such as access
foreclosure mediations. Students explain the mediation
to public benefits, employment, housing, and discharge of
process and review necessary paperwork with homeownpre-disaster financial obligations.
ers.
Tenant Resource Center
Disability Rights Wisconsin
Students provide pro bono service as Volunteer Housing
As part of the Medicare Part D Hotline Project, law stuCounselors, providing legal information to tenants and
dents provide telephone assistance to low-income individ- landlords about their rights and responsibilities.
uals choosing a prescription drug plan. Students also advocate on behalf of callers to resolve Medicare Part D probLeft: Students volunteer at the Community Immigration Law
lems.
Center in Madison. Right, above: Attorney Wes Taylor ‘09
Dodge County Detention Facility Visits
In collaboration with the National Immigrant Justice Center, students conduct one-on-one interviews with detained
If you are interested in supervising UW law student volunteers working on pro bono matters or if
you have an idea for a pro bono project, visit law.wisc.edu/probono/projects.html to learn more!
with a student volunteer at a Wills for Heroes clinic in Madison. Far right: Students learn about pro bono opportunities
at the Pro Bono Pizza Panel event.
Unemployment Appeals Clinic
In collaboration with local volunteer attorneys, law students help community members prepare for an unemployment insurance hearing, with the option of appearing as an
advocate on behalf of community members at administrative hearings.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
Law students assist low-income individuals in preparing
their tax returns, gaining exposure to a variety of tax issues
as well as the financial difficulties faced by low-income
populations. Coordinated by the Business and Tax Law
Association.
Voter Registration Project
Students are trained to serve as Special Registration Deputies for the City of Madison, registering voters in advance
of election periods at locations throughout the city.
Maren Beermann
Peter Bennett
Susannah Camic
Mary Beth Collins
Jennifer Binkley
Jeff Brown
Rosa Frazier
Peter Koneazny
Brenda Konkel
Erin McBride
Kate Mogulescu
Jo Prust
Krista Ralston
Eva Schiffrin
Katelyn Schmidt
Julie Short
Grant Sovern
Krista Sterken
Paul Swenson
Wes Taylor
Jean-Rene Watchou
Anders Zanichowsky
Individual Projects
In addition to the pre-approved placements listed here,
Wills for Heroes
students may participate in individual pro bono projects
Law students assist attorneys with preparing wills and othwith the approval of Pro Bono Program staff. Projects must
er estate-planning documents free of charge for eligible
be unpaid, law-related, appropriately supervised, and in
first responders at one-day clinics throughout the state.
service to eligible clients.
“Student volunteers are bright, receptive
to suggestion, responsive to direction,
and think on their feet as they blend their
academic training and clinical skills into
their interaction with clients. “
—Wes Taylor, Foley & Lardner, LLP
Pro Bono Society Members
The Student Experience
Inducted December 2011 and May 2012
Graduates reported pro bono service hours from
all three years of law school, from September 2009 to May 2012.
100% of students would recommend the Pro
Bono Program to other students.
97% of students report that their pro bono
experience has increased their substantive
knowledge of an area of law.
Above: May graduates receive certificates of membership and awards of pro bono distinction from Pro Bono
Program Faculty Advisor Ben Kempinen and Pro Bono
Program Coordinator Julia Zwak. Far right: December
Pro Bono Society inductee, Michael Turski, along with
Pro Bono Program Director Ann Zimmerman.
97% of students report that their pro bono
experience has increased their understanding of the problems faced by underrepresented populations.
91% of students report that their pro bono
experience has made it more likely that they
will perform pro bono work in the future.
“I enjoyed my pro bono experience. It has
been a fantastic way to practice and use the
substantive law and legal skills I have
learned in school in real life situations. I enjoy having the opportunity to give back to
the community and use my legal skills
to make a difference.”
—Jessica von Reyn, Class of 2013
Volunteers of the Semester
Fall 2011: Jessica Moeller (2L)
Spring 2012: Patrick O’Neill (1L)
Jessica contributed over 50 hours of
pro bono service toward a pro bono
internship at Foley & Lardner, LLP
and assisted first responders
throughout Wisconsin with wills
preparation through the Wills for
Heroes program.
Patrick contributed over 120 hours of
pro bono service during a pro bono
internship at ABC for Health, a public interest law firm dedicated to ensuring health care access for children
and families, particularly those with
special needs or who are at risk.
Roya Bahrami
Christina Balistreri
Annaliese Beaman
Andrew Conner
Taylor Cope
Adria Crowe
Rachel Cychosz
Erik Didrikson
Timothy Dorr
Nneka Colleen Egbujiobi
Brendan Fischer
Paul Fredrickson
Elia Garcia
Benjamin Jones
Trevor Jones
Leslie Kuhn Thayer
Edward Minser
Ian Prust
Michael Queensland
Joseph Ricker
Joleen Rivera
Lindsay Rosenquist Burns
Robert Sanders
Jennifer Schwartau
Erik Splett
Michael Turski
Nicole Wells
2011-2012 Student Volunteers
Total Reported Hours: 2,300
*Inducted into the Pro Bono Society in the 2011-2012 Academic Year.
**Has met the requirement for induction into the Pro Bono Society in a future year.
Bennet Acker
Jerri Adams
Lauren Adams
Jair Alvarez
Julie Anderson**
Ogochukwu Anokwute
Roya Bahrami*
Christina Balistreri*
Alexis Blanco
Cary Bloodworth
Chelsea Brenegan
Melissa Burchell**
Abigail Carney
Andrew Christopherson
Erin Clark
Andrew Conner*
Taylor Cope*
Jennifer Cunha**
Rachel Cychosz*
Aaron Dumas
Nneka Colleen Egbujiobi*
Lauren Fangmann
Kathryn Finley**
Paul Fredrickson*
Brendan Fischer*
Elizabeth Fischer**
Elia Garcia*
Grant Gardner**
Kenny Ho
Elizabeth Hoffman**
Mary Hoynacki
Douglas Huenink**
Lisa Jacobson
Benjamin Jones*
Grant Keebler
Iga Fikayo Keme
Natalie Kirk
Kevin Layde
JungEun Lee
Jennifer Limbach
Mary Luu
David Maes
Sarra Marie
Thomas McDonell**
Corey Mehlos
Jennifer Miller
Edward Minser*
Jessica Moeller**
Lia Ocasio
Patrick O’Neill**
Ian Prust*
Jason Reed
Joseph Ricker*
Joleen Rivera*
Mackenzie Roach
Megumi Saito**
Christopher Schmidt**
William Schumacher
Jennifer Schwartau*
Jaclyn Shelton
Camille Silliman
Michael Solberg
Erik Splett*
Laura Steigerwald
Luis Valdez
Jessica Von Reyn**
Alyssa Wassink**
Henry Weiner
Nicole Wells*
Jackie Wilcox
David Williams
Nicole Williams
“Above all else, the Pro Bono Program
allows law students to serve individuals in our community that need help
the most. This program instills the value of pro bono service, something that
all of us can take with us into the legal
profession following graduation.”
— Kathryn Finley, Class of 2013