BBA DEI, Service, and Leadership Programs Coordinator Noah Williams Discusses Importance of Pro Bono Month

October is Pro Bono Month, recognizing the valuable pro bono contributions made by lawyers throughout the year, and aiming to increase pro bono participation across the state to narrow the justice gap. As we look forward to October, we spoke with Noah Williams, the BBA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) & Community Service Programs Coordinator, to better understand the history and impact of Pro Bono Month and how you can get involved:

What is Pro Bono Month, and how has the BBA historically been involved? 

Noah: Pro Bono Month is a state-wide celebration and commitment to celebrating legal services providers and the work they do, as well as encouraging attorneys to support their communities through pro bono and service opportunities. The BBA supports Pro Bono month by soliciting the governor to declare October as Pro Bono month each year and by providing a variety of opportunities for BBA members to get involved with our legal services partners.

Why is it important for BBA members to take advantage of opportunities to do pro bono and community work? 

Noah: Pro bono and community service work can be great professional development opportunities for attorneys. Many of our legal services partners do not require attorneys to have direct experience when they volunteer their time and can provide training, mentorship, and other resources to ensure that attorneys are well prepared and supported when volunteering. By getting involved in pro bono and community service opportunities, BBA members can expand their knowledge and experience beyond their regular practice area in a meaningful way.

Also, access to justice is a core BBA principle; to ensure it, community members need access to attorneys. BBA members that get involved in pro bono opportunities and community work play a major role in advancing access to justice by helping to ensure that members of their communities have the tools and resources needed to navigate what can often be a confusing and daunting legal system.

If a member is looking to become more involved in Pro Bono work, what advice would you have for them? 

Noah: Take a look at our legal services partners/grantees! The BBA has strong relationships with legal service providers in a variety of crucial areas, including those that are currently incarcerated or navigating the immigration/family law system, environmental justice, and other core issues. Additionally, feel free to complete our form linked here, where you can detail your own interests, and BBA staff will help find a good place for you to start getting involved!

Are there any specific opportunities during Pro Bono Month you’d like to highlight for our members?  

Noah: This year, we have some new Pro Bono Month collaborations that I am excited to offer to our members. We are partnering with Alternatives for Community and Environment and Massachusetts Advocates for Children. I hope that BBA members use this Pro Bono Month to expand their connections to the legal community through these organizations, as well as through our other legal services partners.

I’d also like to highlight the medical parole training that we are hosting in collaboration with Prisoners’ Legal Services (PLS). Too often, society disregards the needs of those that are incarcerated. PLS offers a tangible way for our members to help meet the needs of those that are often relegated to the margins of our communities. I always look forward to collaborating with PLS and providing support to the important work they do!