Chief Justice Debra Todd has published her second open letter to Pennsylvania attorneys encouraging support of pro bono legal work across the Commonwealth. She joins Michael J. McDonald, whose term as Pennsylvania Bar Association President commenced on May 5, 2023, in urging all PA attorneys to consider furthering their support of legal aid and free legal services.
Chief Justice Todd lauds the efforts of those currently performing such needed legal work and recognizes each PA attorney’s contribution to civil legal aid through the IOLTA portion of the annual attorney registration fee. She also acknowledges the impact of direct service in Pennsylvania’s communities. “It is lawyers who volunteer who have the most direct impact on those in need,” Chief Justice Todd emphasizes.
Chief Justice Todd recognizes the variety of opportunities to perform pro bono legal work in the Commonwealth, including the Court’s emeritus status, first established in 2018 for attorneys who have retired from the practice of law who seek to provide pro bono services through eligible legal aid organizations, and the PBA’s PA Free Legal Answers program.
Read Chief Justice Todd’s full letter here.