Crisis yields both devastation and opportunity. The harsh reality of the mortgage foreclosure crisis, and before it, of Hurricane Katrina, was of unimaginable scope. Such dire circumstances, however, did have an undeniable benefit: they gave rise to inspiration in our communities. Strategic, creative, and determined individuals rose to these challenges by producing exceptional models of collaboration that could at least start to address the burgeoning need. Many of these models involved out-of-the-box solutions that brought together multiple constituencies and yielded unexpected leaders. The best of these models drew upon the resources of the private sector to bolster the efforts of non-profit organizations by mobilizing a volunteer work force.
This panel takes a closer look at models of pro bono representation that evolved from Katrina relief efforts, and that again emerged in the mortgage foreclosure crisis. Our panelists are individuals who have been on the front lines of developing, implementing, and managing programs that have helped countless people in crisis. In examining these models, we hope to identify the essential elements of the most successful pro bono programs so that we may distill a formula that can be readily replicated – offering effective solutions for society’s most complex and urgent problems.
Business Meeting at Program Conclusion.