What are the responsibilities and job description for the Pro Bono Attorney position at WilmerHale?
WilmerHale is a leading, full-service international law firm with 1,000 lawyers located throughout 13 offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Our lawyers work at the intersection of government, technology and business, and we remain committed to our guiding principles of providing quality, excellent legal and client services; developing diversity among our lawyers and staff and cultivating an environment that promotes an ambitious spirit, collaboration and collegiality by drawing on the extraordinary talents and dynamic experience of our lawyers. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of our clients and the communities in which we practice.
What You Will Be Doing
The Pro Bono Attorney assists the firm's Pro Bono Counsel and the firm-wide Pro Bono and Community Service Committee in managing the firm's nationally recognized pro bono program. This role will focus on administering the firm's pro bono program in the firm's U.S. offices, with additional attention to foreign offices as needed. Responsible for developing pro bono opportunities, maintaining a robust network of internal and external relationships, implementing the firm's pro bono policy and protocols, and helping to perform essential risk management functions. Assists with proactively supporting client service by actively participating in the firm's Service Excellence initiative. Ensures that staff members are providing quality service to internal members/departments of the firm as well as external clients and vendors by displaying professionalism via electronic and print correspondence, over the telephone and in-person and by encouraging an atmosphere that rewards a "can do" attitude.
About This Role
- Understands and ensures compliance with pro bono policies and best practices.
- Implements risk management measures with regard to intake, staffing, supervision, tracking status, and closing pro bono matters, including maintaining pro bono docket database.
- Identifies and generates pro bono opportunities through developing and maintaining relationships with nonprofit and legal services organizations.
- Supports the planning and execution of pro bono events, clinics, and training programs.
- Conducts screening and intake of new pro bono matters, including navigating the conflicts process and revising drafts of pro bono engagement letters.
- Collaborates closely with the Practice Management department to ensure appropriate staffing of matters. Connects attorneys with resources for pro bono matters as appropriate, including training and precedential materials, experts, vendors, and translators.
- Communicates with all departing lawyers to ensure appropriate transition and re-staffing of pro bono matters. Coordinates pro bono projects with firm paying clients interested in partnering on pro bono programming.
- Facilitates development of internal and external pro bono communications, including intranet and external website content, press releases, award nominations, social media, and videos. Analyzes pro bono data to help develop and maintain the program and respond to audit and survey requests.
- Travels to U.S. offices periodically to meet with attorneys locally on pro bono initiatives and programming.
- Other duties as assigned. Contributes to the firm's Service Excellence initiative to consistently improve its image internally and externally. Displays professionalism, quality service and a "can do" attitude to internal members/departments of the firm as well as external clients and vendors via electronic and print correspondence, over the telephone and in-person.