Joseph Saveri Law Firm associate Christopher Young was among the speakers at an April 30, 2021, webinar co-sponsored by the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Justice and Diversity Center (JDC), the Asian Law Alliance, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California: “What Can I Do as a Pro Bono Attorney in the Northern District?”
The webinar provided an overview of the Northern District of California’s Federal Pro Bono Project (FPBP) (San Francisco/San Jose) and the Federal Pro Se Program (San Jose), describing what it’s like to volunteer as a pro bono attorney for these programs. Three judges discussed how they use the pro bono programs, how valuable they are for new attorneys to gain courtroom/litigation experience, and why they are an important asset to the Court. Chris discussed how a partner supervises an associate(s) throughout the representation and what is involved in accepting a pro bono case. And two program-coordinating attorneys described how they work with clients and the Court leading up to and during the placement process.
The Firm has a strong commitment to pro bono representation. It frequently works with the FPBP, which operates in conjunction with the (JDC). Among other activities, the JDC provides pro bono services to underserved San Francisco residents and communities, and the organizations that serve them. Many cases involve federal civil rights violations. Appointments may be for full-scope representation for the duration of a case or for limited purposes, e.g., representation at a settlement conference or hearing on a motion to dismiss.