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Pro Bono Opportunities for Attorneys

The Do Good column is designed to highlight the myriad pro bono opportunities that are available for attorneys from a variety of practice areas. We want to shine a light on the need for practitioners who will take up some of those cases.

The Dane County Delivery of Legal Services Committee has become a contributor to Do Good. They will provide bi-monthly submissions focusing on groups, which could use pro bono assistance, or on people offering their time and skills to help those who are underrepresented. Anyone interested in providing additional content for Do Good can contact Editor Tony Anderson.

AIDS Network Legal Services

AIDS Network Legal Services program provides legal representation and advice to people affected by HIV/AIDS who live in the agency service area and meet the income guidelines. Legal Services also strives to educate clients on a case-by-case basis as they face legal issues, and engages in preventative efforts through informational sessions and literature. The program also serves as an information and training resource for legal professionals and community organizations on HIV/AIDS legal issues.

Legal Services receives client referrals from case managers as well as outside sources (e.g., hospitals and social services agencies). Potential clients are interviewed to determine the nature of their legal needs and their income eligibility. Eligible clients are assisted by Legal Services’ staff or are matched with a volunteer attorney for consultation and/or representation. AIDS Network’s Director of Legal Services, a full-time attorney, manages an extensive network of volunteer attorneys who represent clients free of charge or at reduced rates in specialized or more complex cases.

Linda Harfst of Cullen, Weston, Pines & Bach, is a wonderful example of one of AIDS Network’s volunteer attorneys. She has helped AIDS Network with employment discrimination cases over the past three years. Each case required a large amount of time and effort on Harfst’s part. Attorney Harfst has made the commitment to understand the special needs of AIDS Network clients and their particular disease. Without her assistance, these clients would not have been able to obtain legal representation. Given the social, financial, and emotional challenges of HIV, AIDS Network clients often do not (or cannot) seek assistance outside of the agency. Because AIDS Network staff does not have the resources necessary to prepare or litigate cases of this magnitude, the efforts of volunteers like Linda Harfst are invaluable. In one case, Harfst’s efforts resulted in a corporation revisiting its policies regarding HIV positive employees.

AIDS Network has a continued need for pro bono attorneys for almost every legal issue, but there is a large need in the areas of family law and bankruptcy. AIDS Network offers malpractice insurance coverage for its volunteer attorneys. If you would like to find out more information about volunteering with AIDS Network please contact Lynne Solomon at (608) 252-6540, ext. 47 or by email.