ABA 2024 Celebration of Pro Bono emphasizes justice and community
Lawyers and law firms across the country are participating in volunteer events as part of the National Celebration of Pro Bono, which runs Oct. 20-26 with the theme “Making Justice a Reality in Our Communities.”
This year, American Bar Association President Bill Bay is urging lawyers to participate in pro bono and praising those who do.
“Since the founding of the republic, attorneys have played a vital role in our legal system,” Bay said. “They provide essential representation to those in our communities who might otherwise lack access to justice. The work lawyers do helps ensure our justice system is fair and accessible to all, regardless of financial status. They make justice a reality in each of our communities.”
In the 15 years since the national celebration began in 2009, more than 14,000 pro bono events have taken place in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada. Recently, the national celebration has focused on specific themes, including most recently justice for all as well as service to victims of domestic violence, veterans, homeless youth and disaster resiliency.
Among the events taking place this year during the National Celebration of Pro Bono are:
• Louisiana has more than 150 lawyers offering pro bono services in library sessions taking place throughout the state.
• North Dakota is holding a Pro Bono Summit during the week of celebration.
• The Chicago Bar Foundation, among other events in Illinois, is holding its annual Pro Bono Week. The original Pro Bono Week, which spawned the National Celebration, began with the Chicago group.
• The Washington (D.C.) Council of Lawyers has organized a month’s worth of activities.
In addition, the Center for Pro Bono has a listing of opportunities in each state during the National Celebration, that can be found at www.americanbar.org/groups/center-pro-bono/celebrate-pro-bono/events.
Also held during the Celebration of Pro Bono is ABA Giving Day on Thursday, Oct. 24. Organized by the ABA Fund for Justice and Education, Giving Day raises attention and support for more than 50 ABA programs that help others through public service, policy initiatives and education.
This year, American Bar Association President Bill Bay is urging lawyers to participate in pro bono and praising those who do.
“Since the founding of the republic, attorneys have played a vital role in our legal system,” Bay said. “They provide essential representation to those in our communities who might otherwise lack access to justice. The work lawyers do helps ensure our justice system is fair and accessible to all, regardless of financial status. They make justice a reality in each of our communities.”
In the 15 years since the national celebration began in 2009, more than 14,000 pro bono events have taken place in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada. Recently, the national celebration has focused on specific themes, including most recently justice for all as well as service to victims of domestic violence, veterans, homeless youth and disaster resiliency.
Among the events taking place this year during the National Celebration of Pro Bono are:
• Louisiana has more than 150 lawyers offering pro bono services in library sessions taking place throughout the state.
• North Dakota is holding a Pro Bono Summit during the week of celebration.
• The Chicago Bar Foundation, among other events in Illinois, is holding its annual Pro Bono Week. The original Pro Bono Week, which spawned the National Celebration, began with the Chicago group.
• The Washington (D.C.) Council of Lawyers has organized a month’s worth of activities.
In addition, the Center for Pro Bono has a listing of opportunities in each state during the National Celebration, that can be found at www.americanbar.org/groups/center-pro-bono/celebrate-pro-bono/events.
Also held during the Celebration of Pro Bono is ABA Giving Day on Thursday, Oct. 24. Organized by the ABA Fund for Justice and Education, Giving Day raises attention and support for more than 50 ABA programs that help others through public service, policy initiatives and education.
Title IX Civil Rights attorney Kristen Galles to receive Stonewall Award
The American Bar Association Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity will honor Kristen Galles, founder of public interest law firm Equity Legal, with its Stonewall Award during a ceremony from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2025, at the ABA Midyear Meeting in at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona
Named after the New York City Stonewall Inn police raid and riot of June 28, 1969, which was a turning point in the gay rights movement, the award recognizes lawyers who have advanced lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals in the legal profession and successfully championed LGBT legal causes.
Since 1996, Galles has represented students in Title IX equal protection or gender equity and sexual harassment cases against school and state athletic associations. She has litigated and supported groundbreaking cases and efforts for equity throughout her career. From influencing Title IX case precedent to arguing or writing briefs on Title IX, Galles is now a mentor for other lawyers on their Title IX cases.
Galles was an adjunct professor of law at George Washington University Law School, where she taught first-year law students on topics ranging from constitutional law to Title IX. The founder of Title IX Roundtable, she meets with people to discuss ongoing efforts related to Title IX, including policy, education and litigation.
Having served in varying roles in the ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice and the Labor and Employment, Litigation and Business Law sections, Galles has worked on legal issues that relate to women, LGBT+, and Title IX amicus briefs. She also developed and conducted Title IX continuing legal education programs and assisted with developing and promoting ABA policy. Most notably, she co-wrote the ABA’s Supreme Court amicus brief in Jackson vs. Birmingham, Alabama Board of Education and wrote the ABA’s official commentary on the final report issued by the U.S. Department of Education’s 2002-2003 Title IX Commission.
From 2013-2019, Galles served as a commissioner and liaison to the ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. She led an effort to amend the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct to include nondiscrimination provision Rule 8.4(g).
Galles has a B.A. from Creighton University and J.D. from Washington University School of Law.
Named after the New York City Stonewall Inn police raid and riot of June 28, 1969, which was a turning point in the gay rights movement, the award recognizes lawyers who have advanced lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals in the legal profession and successfully championed LGBT legal causes.
Since 1996, Galles has represented students in Title IX equal protection or gender equity and sexual harassment cases against school and state athletic associations. She has litigated and supported groundbreaking cases and efforts for equity throughout her career. From influencing Title IX case precedent to arguing or writing briefs on Title IX, Galles is now a mentor for other lawyers on their Title IX cases.
Galles was an adjunct professor of law at George Washington University Law School, where she taught first-year law students on topics ranging from constitutional law to Title IX. The founder of Title IX Roundtable, she meets with people to discuss ongoing efforts related to Title IX, including policy, education and litigation.
Having served in varying roles in the ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice and the Labor and Employment, Litigation and Business Law sections, Galles has worked on legal issues that relate to women, LGBT+, and Title IX amicus briefs. She also developed and conducted Title IX continuing legal education programs and assisted with developing and promoting ABA policy. Most notably, she co-wrote the ABA’s Supreme Court amicus brief in Jackson vs. Birmingham, Alabama Board of Education and wrote the ABA’s official commentary on the final report issued by the U.S. Department of Education’s 2002-2003 Title IX Commission.
From 2013-2019, Galles served as a commissioner and liaison to the ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. She led an effort to amend the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct to include nondiscrimination provision Rule 8.4(g).
Galles has a B.A. from Creighton University and J.D. from Washington University School of Law.
