A Message from ALF President Leslie R. Barineau
Greetings,
If you have read any of my columns since I became President of ALF, you will certainly know that I am a big sports fan. I especially enjoy the fall when football is played on college campuses throughout the country and sometimes overseas, and baseball teams compete for a division title and, ultimately, a chance to play in the World Series. Yes, I know NFL games are ongoing five days a week as well as other sports are being played too. It is just a fun time to gather with friends and family to watch sports.
Lawyers also celebrate National Pro Bono Month in October. “Pro bono” comes from the Latin phrase pro bono publico, meaning “for the public good.” In the legal context, it refers to the voluntary provision of legal services by attorneys to individuals or groups who are unable to afford them.
ALF, as recipient of IOLTA funds from law firms throughout the state, uses these funds to support the Montgomery Volunteer Lawyers Program, Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham, Legal Services Alabama, South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program, Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program, and the Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program. Lawyers volunteer their time by working with these organizations to provide civil legal services to Alabamians. This not only benefits the recipient of the legal services, it provides the attorney with an opportunity to give back to their community.
Do you volunteer? Do your colleagues volunteer? If not, I recommend you seriously consider doing so. Volunteering is not just about helping someone in your community, it’s also about personal growth and enrichment. The experience of giving back to your community through legal services can be deeply fulfilling.
The Alabama State Bar and the Volunteer Lawyers Programs I previously mentioned can provide you with opportunities to get involved. Please call one of them and have your colleagues call as well. Our communities need us, and the personal rewards of volunteering are immeasurable.
I am proud of ALF for its financial support of these Volunteer Lawyers Programs. They are a vital part of the legal community and provide attorneys a venue to volunteer.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Warmest Regards,
Leslie R. Barineau
President, Alabama Law Foundation
Spotlight
A celebration of service during national pro bono month 2024
As National Pro Bono Month unfolds, it’s important to remember the critical role that volunteer lawyers play in ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, can access the justice system. In Alabama, organizations like the Alabama State Bar, Alabama Law Foundation, and the Alabama Pro Bono Alliance are working tirelessly to unite the state’s legal community in service of those who need it most.
The call to action for attorneys is clear: Your time and legal skill can change lives. Whether you’re a seasoned lawyer or new to the profession, consider volunteering your services this Pro Bono Month and beyond. Your efforts can help bridge the justice gap and make a lasting impact on the lives of those who need it most.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR KIDS WITH DISABLED PARENTS
If you or someone you know has a parent who was permanently disabled or killed in a work-related injury, you are eligible to receive a scholarship.
Law Related Charitable Grants
We are the largest funder of Alabama organizations that provide free civil legal aid to low-income Alabama residents and for law related charitable programs.
LAW SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS
Attending or planning to attend law school? We support the next generation of lawyers by administering three scholarship funds for law students.