For us, Pro Bono is not a “do it on your own time” hobby, it is at the very core of who we are. Our firm’s Pro Bono Coordinator works with local legal services organizations to create partnerships that allow us to help protect the most vulnerable in our community. In 2010, then California Supreme Court Chief Justice, Ronald George issued the Central Valley Pro Bono Challenge. The Challenge sought to encourage attorneys in the Central Valley to provide Pro Bono services to the underserved. Lang, Richert & Patch is proud that it was the first firm to sign on.
Currently, every attorney at this firm is required to provide a minimum number of hours to pro-bono legal services each year. The firm far exceeds this “minimum” requirement by participating and/or co-sponsoring Senior Clinics, Workers’ Rights Clinics, Central Valley Veterans’ Stand Down, and providing trainings to staff attorneys at local legal services organizations on a myriad of topics ranging from the basics of civil litigation to specific topics such as elder abuse, wage and hour, and bankruptcy.
Recent accolades and awards in this area include: Fresno County Bar Association’s Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year (2011); OneJustice’s “Opening Doors to Justice” award (2011); Central California Legal Services, Inc.’s “Champions of Justice” award (2012); Legal Services Corporation Award for Extraordinary Commitment to Providing Equal Access to Justice (2012); Fresno County Bar Association’s Pro Bono Attorney of the Year (2012); and the California Young Lawyers Association’s Jack Berman Award for Distinguished Service to the Public and Profession (2012).
At Lang, Richert & Patch, providing pro bono assistance is not something we undertake lightly, it is part of who we are.