Pro Bono Best Practices (Webinar)

Topics:
  • Training
  • Other
  • Access to Justice

The American Bar Association is offering a webinar entitled Pro Bono Best Practices on December 15, 2021 from 1:00 PM-2:00 PM Eastern.

This complimentary webinar will offer advice and expertise on best practices for directing and coordinating pro bono programs. Hear from experts in the field on how to best structure and direct your pro bono program to meet the needs of vulnerable clients. The panel will also discuss strategies specific to pro bono immigration cases. Join us to learn how to best structure your pro bono program to meet the needs of both clients and volunteer attorneys.

Speakers:
  • Cheryl Zalenski
    Counsel, Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service and Director of the Center for Pro Bono, American Bar Association

    As Counsel to the American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service and Director of the ABA Center for Pro Bono, Cheryl Zalenski supports the ABA’s efforts to encourage and grow pro bono activity among all segments of the legal profession. Along with policy initiatives, the Committee actively engages in outreach around pro bono development and support and is the primary sponsor of the annual ABA Pro Bono Publico Awards and of ABA Free Legal Answers, a virtual legal clinic. The Committee co-sponsors the annual Equal Justice Conference with the National Legal Aid and Defender Association. In her capacity, Ms. Zalenski has authored numerous articles on pro bono engagement and is a regular speaker on pro bono policy and management.
  • Karen Grisez
    Public Service Counsel, Fried Frank

    Karen T. Grisez is a member of the Litigation Department and is resident in Fried Frank's Washington, DC office. She joined the Firm in 1990 and became Public Service Counsel in 1996. In her role as Public Service Counsel, Ms. Grisez manages the intake and placement of pro bono matters, acts as liaison to national and local bar associations and legal services providers and provides substantive advice and assistance to other attorneys who are working on pro bono cases. She has experience with issues of political asylum and other immigration matters, veterans' benefits, family law, landlord/tenant law and general civil litigation.
  • Kristie-Anne Padron
    Managing Attorney, Vulnerable Populations, Catholic Legal Services

    Kristie-Anne Padron serves as managing attorney for vulnerable populations at Catholic Legal Services, Archdiocese of Miami (CLS). She has served on the AILA National Asylum and Pro Bono Committees, chaired the AILA South Florida Pro Bono, Diversity and Inclusion, EOIR Liaison, Local/State Congressional Committees and previously served on the Board of Directors and as chapter Secretary for AILA South Florida. At CLS, she focuses on asylum, special immigrant juvenile status, and removal defense with a focus on unaccompanied minors and family units. She manages a team developing pro bono and pro se programs through the Legal Orientation Program for Custodians, the Immigration Court Help Desk, and now, the Family Group Legal Orientation Program. Prior to joining CLS, Kristie-Anne worked as an Associate for Rivero Mestre LLP and served as a judicial law clerk for the Superior Court of Connecticut in New Haven. Kristie-Anne is admitted to practice in Florida and Massachusetts.