Legal Commentary

Congrats to ProBono.Net, which celebrated its 10th anniversary on Sept. 15, with lovely dinner at New York City's W Hotel. The charismatic Mark O'Brien, co-founder and exec director, launched the dinner (great salmon, btw) before turning the mic over to Sullivan & Cromwell's of counsel, Michael Cooper; Phyllis Holmen, exec dir of Georgia Legal Services Program; NY deputy chief administrative judge Fern Fisher; Atlantic Philanthropies' Gara LaMarche (introduced by PBN's other co-founder, Michael Hertz, who flew in from London for the fete); and Allison McDermott, the group's deputy director.

Our CEO, BIll Pollak, is on the group's board of directors of PBN, whose goal, according to Hertz, is "increasing access to justice one app at a time." The organization has worked to create and promote technology tools -- such as its namesake probono.net network -- that help law firms and other organizations swiftly and efficiently provide individuals and resources to help give legal services to the under-represented.

Among its activities are LawHelp.org; LawHelp Interactive; Immigration Advocates Network; and Pro Bono Manager.

Miriam Buhl, of Weil Gotshal, who has been very active with the organization, was the recipient of LTN's 2008 Award for "Most innovative use of Technology for a Pro Bono Project."