It’s National Pro Bono Week! Each day, VOLS is featuring cases with attorneys who dedicate their time as volunteer lawyers, in order to empower New Yorkers to attain dignity, security, and opportunity in their lives. Here is how you can get involved:

• Use the hashtag #ProBonoWeek on social media posts
• Get involved with pro bono legal service at VOLS
• Make a donation to VOLS in honor of Pro Bono Week.

 See below our featured pro bono stories, and please spread the word on social media!

VOLS Microenterprise Project

On October 25, 1988, women business owners secured their rights through congressional legislation. The VOLS Microenterprise Project proudly serves women microentrepreneurs, who comprise 63% of our small business clients, and empowers them to access legal support to grow their business in New York City. 

Photo: VOLS staff attorney Ivia Cardozo with Mami Endo, owner of Hariyama Ballet

PRO BONO @ VOLS 

VOLS’ team brings together 60 law firms and corporate legal departments, 200+ community organizations, and 1,000+ pro bono attorneys to provide free legal services to New Yorkers, when and where they need it most. #ProBonoWeek

Photo: VOLS’ Pete Kempner joins Cadwalader’s Annie Mohan at the firm’s pro bono fair on 10/22.

VOLS INCARCERATED MOTHERS LAW PROJECT
Christen Hammock, Columbia Law School Student (3L)
Public Interest Summer Fellow, sponsored by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

“In this political climate, the amount of injustice in the world often feels overwhelming to me, and I feel like there is not much I can do to remedy it. As a public interest fellow this summer, it was inspiring to support VOLS staff and pro bono attorneys to assist women in real, concrete ways.”

VOLS IMMIGRATION PROJECT
Sherry (Xuechu) Zhou, Esq.
Pro Bono Attorney, VOLS
Associate, Shearman & Sterling LLP

“It was inspiring to support young adults to claim their citizenship. I often feel powerless against the government bureaucracy, but I realized with the support from VOLS and the knowledge that I have, I can help. We just have to keep trying.”

VOLS ELDERLY PROJECT & VETERANS INITIATIVELife planning documents empower older New Yorkers to age in place with dignity. VOLS pro bono attorneys draft free wills and other advance directives for seniors.

Photo: Lawyers from McGuireWoods LLP​ and TD Securities attend a VOLS advance directives training during National Pro Bono Week 2019.