Philip A. Franco, 2020 Chair, The Pro Bono Project
Over ten years ago, I became involved with The Pro Bono Project. My law firm, Adams and Reese, had been a long-time supporter of the organization and I saw first-hand the difference pro bono makes in the lives of both the clients and the attorneys who provide their time at no cost. In one of my first pro bono cases, I obtained a judgment for $19,500 for construction work that was not completed. Sadly, the client, who was in her 90s, passed away during the proceeding. I recovered the money on behalf of her heirs even after the defendant filed bankruptcy. This, and the other cases I have handled over the years, fulfill the reason I became involved with The Pro Bono Project and continue to do today as Board Chair. I know we can help families who cannot afford to do so address legal problems that disrupt their lives. Successful resolutions contribute to the well-being not only of individual families, but of our entire community.
Pro Bono is a powerful tool to build a stronger and prosperous community. In Louisiana, one or more people are forced to represent themselves in seventy-five percent of civil cases. In 2019, The Pro Bono Project tackled this systemic problem by serving over 5,000 families in the six-parish region we serve. We closed 1,098 cases and assisted 4,000 visitors at our Self-Help Resource Centers. It was the legal community’s support that made this possible. Together, we helped seniors, children, and families resolve legal issues that if left unaddressed would have threatened their safety and well-being. Lawyers, paralegals, and law students throughout our area volunteered more than 8,000 hours of their time.
The Project continues to engage returning and new volunteer attorneys to do this pro bono work. We encourage members of the legal community to devote twenty or more pro bono hours a year. From providing legal information for a few hours at one of Self-Help Resource Centers or at a community clinic to accepting a bankruptcy, succession, or divorce case, we have volunteer opportunities that cater to diverse interests.
There is momentum in Louisiana to expand legal services. The state renewed its commitment to invest in civil legal aid organizations, thereby signaling national foundations and other funders that there is state-wide support to expand justice to the most under-served in our community. However, there is no question The Project needs more funding and more volunteers. One of my goals this year is to have The Project pursue new funding streams to alleviate the uncertainty of heavily relying annually upon donations to sustain our mission.
Community support has been integral to The Project’s success in fulfilling its mission. In the spirt of community, we are planning our annual gala – the 32nd Annual Justice For All Ball on Friday, September 25, 2020. It is the most significant source of The Project’s funding. Our 2020 Justice For All Ball Co-Chairs, Jedd Malish and Lacey Rochester, along with The Pro Bono Project’s Board of Directors, are pleased to announce that Donald T. “Boysie” Bollinger has accepted our invitation to serve as this year’s Honorary Chair.
Mr. Bollinger is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bollinger Enterprises, LLC. He is the former Chairman and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., a family- owned business established in 1946. Boysie devotes considerable time to professional and civic organizations, serving on the board of numerous organizations. He has been recognized countless times for his outstanding accomplishments including a Woodrow Wilson Award, Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Distinguished Citizen from the Boy Scouts of America, and American Diabetes Association Father of the Year Honoree. Mr. Bollinger will welcome attendees back to the beautiful Grand Oaks Mansion at Mardi Gras World.
I implore you to join us at this year’s Ball to help fund our services to those in need and in one of our many rewarding pro bono opportunities. Thank you for your support of The Pro Bono Project. It is your support, and only with your support, that we are able to help those in need enjoy the benefits of the greatest legal system in the world. Justice is blind as they say, but those who do not have the means or knowledge to have access, never get to experience it. Justice for all.