Birmingham's Stacey Davis has always had an interest in pro bono. For quite a few years now, Stacey has lent her entertainment law skills to a favorite pro bono client, Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, which conducts an annual celebration of independent cinema in downtown Birmingham. While Stacey continues in her devotion to Sidewalk, she now also applies another skill set by handling pro bono adoption cases through the Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program. read more

At fewer than 20 attorneys, Baton Rouge is one of Baker Donelson's smaller offices, but that doesn't mean it doesn't do big things, including pro bono. This year, shareholder Errol King rules the roost as our 2012 Baton Rouge Pro Bono Award winner. As a member of the firm's Health Care group, Errol maintains a busy practice representing managed care organizations, and has been listed in The Best Lawyers In America for health care law every year since 1995. That's among the reasons that his pro bono clients are so fortunate to have him! read more

Atlanta shareholder Nedom Haley maintains a busy practice representing Baker Donelson clients in tax and municipal finance matters. He also finds time to put his nearly 40 years of experience to work for non-profit organizations that fill some very important and very diverse community needs. Just in the last year, Nedom has provided much needed tax and corporate counsel for several wonderful community organizations. read more

Last week, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend the annual Pro Bono Institute Conference.  My first was last year, and after having an equally fruitful and energizing experience this year, I would not miss it for anything. read more

One of the highlights of my pro bono year here at Baker Donelson is the chance to spotlight the wonderful work of some of our attorneys through our annual Pro Bono Awards.  I'm really excited about this year's Firm-wide Award, because it is a team effort that grew from an innovative idea.  Our Firm Pro Bono Award goes to New Orleans attorneys Bill Norton and David Rieveschl , who have done amazing work in heading our New Orleans office's highly successful Baker Donelson Non-Profit Institute team. read more

The Corporate Counsel Initiative of the Tennessee Bar Association honored Baker Donelson for its work on pro bono and access to justice issues at its 6th Annual Gala on Saturday, March 24 at the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville. The firm received the “Law Firm Award” for its outstanding work on TBA’s Online Tennessee Justice website, which allows low income Tennessee residents to obtain free advice about legal issues from volunteer attorneys. This is an especially valuable resource for Tennesseans who live in rural areas and can't access the services provided by many pro bono organizations. read more

It's that time of the year again - time for the amazing event known as Project Homeless Connect. PHC brings together, under one roof in one day, a dizzying array of services that people experiencing homelessness need to help them improve their lives. Dentists, doctors, barbers, job counselors, shoes and clothing, the all-important State ID card, and yes, lawyers (judges too!). read more

Did I mention that the Pro Bono Institute is fabulous? I'm pretty sure I have. The most recent thing that brought this to mind was the Southeastern Regional Convocation last month in Atlanta. What an eye-opening experience - a strange combination of a depressing dose of reality and a simultaneous charge of energy from the collective strength in that room. read more

Attending the ABA's upcoming mid-year meeting in New Orleans? If you are, don't miss the chance to take advantage of some great pro bono learning opportunities sponsored by the ABA Commission on Homelessness and Poverty.

Nearest and dearest to my own heart, Baker Donelsons' Louisiana Pro Bono Coordinator, Sherry Dolan, will be part of a panel on "Updating ABA Leadership on Pro Bono Initiatives on Veterans and Homeless Issues."

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Imagine you and I are going to have a race. You get a brand new, souped up race car. I get an old Yugo with bald tires. You get a well-trained pit crew, plenty of gas, and the pole position. I get fumes and no help, and I get to start the race at the back of the pack. How do you like my chances? read more