legal sanity

In the wake of the election-fueled lawyer bashing, it’s great to find articles like this one celebrating practitioners who regularly give of themselves to better their communities. The pro bono efforts of the New York attorneys cited here are impressive. Like others, I believe that such volunteerism can’t be mandated. But law schools and firms can, and should, sponsor educational forums on the many upsides of pro bono work. When I was a third year law student, I was very inspired by a school-sponsored program in which fellow students discussed their public interest work. So much so, that I quickly sought volunteer opportunities when I started as a Biglaw associate. And it’s something I continue to enjoy today as pro bono outside counsel to an international humanitarian organization. I suppose that’s why I’m a big believer in the old adage: If you plant a seed, it will grow.