Steven Schulman Quoted by Am Law, Reuters on Pro Bono Work Amid Coronavirus
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Steven Schulman, pro bono partner at Akin Gump and co-president of the Association of Pro Bono Counsel (APBCo), spoke with The American Lawyer for its article, “The Law Firm Disrupted: The Great Disruption.” Schulman spoke about the planning calls he has been on with the roughly 250 attorneys and practice group leaders who run pro bono programs at 120 firms around the world. He said they have identified three primary areas of focus.
- Helping and advising existing pro bono clients in the current climate: “There are real challenges of remote-working with a client population that is not used to communicating by computer.”
- Offering immediate remote help on issues relating to the pandemic, such as working with hospitals to address some of the legal needs people have, like wills and advance directives.
- Pro bono needs that emerge after the immediate crisis comes to an end: “Most work is going to happen in the aftermath of this, including legal needs that we haven’t identified yet.”
Schulman suggested, “If there’s work you can do remotely, even if it’s not due for several months, take the time you have now to do it.” With more than twice as many members as it had in 2008 after the last recession, Schulman said APBCo is well positioned and “will have the capacity to help.
Schulman was also quoted in the Reuters article “U.S. lawyers gear up for coronavirus-related pro bono work.” The article reports on the efforts being made by lawyers across the country to address the legal needs that could arise from the coronavirus pandemic.
Schulman said Akin Gump is providing coronavirus-related legal advice on employment matters to nonprofits on a pro bono basis. He also said the firm is preparing to help immigrants who have been impacted by coronavirus-related court delays and restrictions.
