Small Law Firms, Solo Practitioners

Solos & Small Law: Here’s $15,000 To Build An A-Team For Justice

When you want to help, but don't know how you can afford it.

By  
on

hand money bills pay raise salary bonus cashIt’s not often that solos and small law firms have an opportunity to volunteer to take on pro bono work. While big firm attorneys continue to collect a paycheck (though they may not make partner ) when they take on pro bono matters, for solos and smalls, every hour spent on pro bono is an hour taken away from billable work or networking activities that might lead to billable work. Despite the impact on the bottom line, solo and small firm lawyers haven’t shied away from pro bono efforts, particularly in response to the Trump Administration’s objectionable policies. Maryland attorney Mirriam Seddiq and her associate organized impromptu legal help teams at Dulles International Airport in response to the immigration ban, small firm owner Greg McLawsen pitched in to develop an app called Airport Lawyer that connects those in need of immigration help to an attorney.

But what if there’s an issue that you want to take on that is outside the scope of your practice area? For example, perhaps mounting opposition to the Administration’s proposed de-funding of the Legal Services Corporation, the single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans, or working to ensure that the environmental gains that we’ve made aren’t completely undone with Trump’s recent reversal of the Obama Administration’s climate change policies. And those issues are just on the federal level; depending upon where you live, there may be other issues ripe for challenging.

So here’s the great news. Via Fast Company, I just learned about a cool initiative by a nonprofit called Fight for the Future. Fight for the Future is prepared to offer $15,000 to groups that have organized an A-Team (A stands for Action!) to tackle a social justice issue like some of the ones mentioned above. That $15k is for one month, and depending upon the results, funding may continue. Moreover, Fight for the Future isn’t just targeting professional lobbyists or nonprofit community groups: they’re pitching to lawyers also.

This could be your opportunity to expand the reach of your firm or change practice areas. I’ve written about starting a public interest or nonprofit law firm both at this site and MyShingle. Well, no time like the present to get moving — particularly if there might be $15,000 available as a jump start.

Carolyn ElefantCarolyn Elefant has been blogging about solo and small firm practice at MyShingle.comsince 2002 and operated her firm, the Law Offices of Carolyn Elefant PLLC, even longer than that. She’s also authored a bunch of books on topics like starting a law practice, social media, and 21st century lawyer representation agreements (affiliate links). If you’re really that interested in learning more about Carolyn, just Google her. The Internet never lies, right? You can contact Carolyn by email at elefant@myshingle.comor follow her on Twitter at @carolynelefant.

Sponsored

Topics

, , ,