POLL: PRO BONO LEGAL COUNSEL IS A NECESSITY FOR MAJORITY OF FLORIDA NONPROFITS
Monday, April 28
- Organization: The Florida Bar
- Link: http://www.floridabar.org
Soft economy increases nonprofits’ need for pro bono legal services
The Florida Bar, the statewide professional and regulatory organization for lawyers, and the Florida Association of Nonprofit Organizations today released results of a joint survey that shows Florida’s nonprofit community largely relies on pro bono rather than paid legal counsel. The survey results arrive during Law Week, an annual nationwide event recognizing the importance of attorneys’ involvement in the community.
In a statewide poll of 161 nonprofit organizations, conducted in March 2003, more than 95 percent of respondents agreed that legal counsel is very important in the operation of a nonprofit, while 62 percent said that they rely upon pro bono rather than paid legal counsel. The term pro bono, derived from the Latin phrase pro bono publico, means "for the good of the public."
“The Florida Bar and FANO conducted this survey because we wanted to measure the level of non-monetary support provided by lawyers to Florida’s nonprofit organizations, which are often the backbone of social services in our communities,” says Florida Bar President Tod Aronovitz. “When you consider that Florida is home to more than 38,000 charitable and educational nonprofits, the value of the pro bono legal services imparted can be measured in the tens of millions of dollars.”
According to Aronovitz, the survey also reinforces the principles of Law Week when local, state and national lawyer groups, as well as community, military and judicial groups, annually participate in a variety of activities to assist and educate citizens about legal matters.
The poll showed that nearly 70 percent of the nonprofits benefit from pro bono legal services, including counsel on such issues as employment, contract negotiations, and fundraising. Almost 20 percent indicated their organizations receive more than 100 hours of pro bono legal counsel in a year, while six percent obtain more than 250 hours.
“Lawyers have traditionally played a vital role in the success of nonprofits, as advisors, contributors and leaders,” explains Marina Pavlov, president and CEO of the Florida Association of Nonprofit Organizations. “It was not surprising to learn that two-thirds of nonprofits surveyed have an attorney serving on its board or as an officer of the organization, while fewer than 17 percent have a paid attorney on staff. Because of today’s economic climate and the decline in funding, nonprofits fortunate to have access to pro bono legal counsel are at a competitive advantage and better able to serve their communities.”
“This survey truly illustrates the legal profession’s commitment to giving back to the community and, by actively participating in nonprofit organizations and providing pro bono services, helping to create a brighter future for our state,” adds Aronovitz.
Click here for poll results
About The Florida Bar: A guardian for the integrity of the legal profession, The Florida Bar is the statewide professional and regulatory organization for lawyers. With more than 70,000 members, the Bar serves as an intermediary for attorneys, the courts and the public. Headquartered in Tallahassee, the Bar is a unified state bar by rule of the Supreme Court of Florida. Membership in The Florida Bar is a necessary component of Supreme Court regulation for all lawyers licensed to practice law in Florida. The foundation for the organization is built on a philosophy of equity and ethics. Through its programs and services, the Bar supports this philosophy with four pillars that function as the mission of The Florida Bar: providing public service, protecting rights, promoting professionalism and pursuing justice. For further information, visit The Florida Bar online at www.flabar.org.
About FANO: FANO is the Florida Association of Nonprofits Organization. FANO was founded by nonprofit leaders to enhance the well being of all people and communities in the state of Florida by building the capacity of the private nonprofit sector. FANO assists Florida’s 38,000 nonprofits in strengthening their leadership, management, financial and public policy ability to reach their missions. These organizations contribute $31 billion in expenditures to the state’s economy. We invite participation by anyone interested in the future of Florida’s private, nonprofit sector. FANO is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit member of the National Council of Nonprofit Associations and the Independent Sector, in Washington D.C. Contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.
In a statewide poll of 161 nonprofit organizations, conducted in March 2003, more than 95 percent of respondents agreed that legal counsel is very important in the operation of a nonprofit, while 62 percent said that they rely upon pro bono rather than paid legal counsel. The term pro bono, derived from the Latin phrase pro bono publico, means "for the good of the public."
“The Florida Bar and FANO conducted this survey because we wanted to measure the level of non-monetary support provided by lawyers to Florida’s nonprofit organizations, which are often the backbone of social services in our communities,” says Florida Bar President Tod Aronovitz. “When you consider that Florida is home to more than 38,000 charitable and educational nonprofits, the value of the pro bono legal services imparted can be measured in the tens of millions of dollars.”
According to Aronovitz, the survey also reinforces the principles of Law Week when local, state and national lawyer groups, as well as community, military and judicial groups, annually participate in a variety of activities to assist and educate citizens about legal matters.
The poll showed that nearly 70 percent of the nonprofits benefit from pro bono legal services, including counsel on such issues as employment, contract negotiations, and fundraising. Almost 20 percent indicated their organizations receive more than 100 hours of pro bono legal counsel in a year, while six percent obtain more than 250 hours.
“Lawyers have traditionally played a vital role in the success of nonprofits, as advisors, contributors and leaders,” explains Marina Pavlov, president and CEO of the Florida Association of Nonprofit Organizations. “It was not surprising to learn that two-thirds of nonprofits surveyed have an attorney serving on its board or as an officer of the organization, while fewer than 17 percent have a paid attorney on staff. Because of today’s economic climate and the decline in funding, nonprofits fortunate to have access to pro bono legal counsel are at a competitive advantage and better able to serve their communities.”
“This survey truly illustrates the legal profession’s commitment to giving back to the community and, by actively participating in nonprofit organizations and providing pro bono services, helping to create a brighter future for our state,” adds Aronovitz.
Click here for poll results
About The Florida Bar: A guardian for the integrity of the legal profession, The Florida Bar is the statewide professional and regulatory organization for lawyers. With more than 70,000 members, the Bar serves as an intermediary for attorneys, the courts and the public. Headquartered in Tallahassee, the Bar is a unified state bar by rule of the Supreme Court of Florida. Membership in The Florida Bar is a necessary component of Supreme Court regulation for all lawyers licensed to practice law in Florida. The foundation for the organization is built on a philosophy of equity and ethics. Through its programs and services, the Bar supports this philosophy with four pillars that function as the mission of The Florida Bar: providing public service, protecting rights, promoting professionalism and pursuing justice. For further information, visit The Florida Bar online at www.flabar.org.
About FANO: FANO is the Florida Association of Nonprofits Organization. FANO was founded by nonprofit leaders to enhance the well being of all people and communities in the state of Florida by building the capacity of the private nonprofit sector. FANO assists Florida’s 38,000 nonprofits in strengthening their leadership, management, financial and public policy ability to reach their missions. These organizations contribute $31 billion in expenditures to the state’s economy. We invite participation by anyone interested in the future of Florida’s private, nonprofit sector. FANO is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit member of the National Council of Nonprofit Associations and the Independent Sector, in Washington D.C. Contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.
[Updated: 07-01-2005 ]
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