Pro Bono Work
An important part of our overall responsibility as a leader in the community is to provide free legal services to those in need. Varnum's exclusive vehicle for providing pro bono legal services is its active participation in the Pro Bono Program of Western Michigan, a program established in 1982 by the Grand Rapids Bar Association and Legal Aid of Western Michigan.
Varnum participates in this program by providing legal services to individuals who are qualified to receive pro bono services by the Pro Bono Program of Western Michigan. We treat time spent on these cases in the same manner as billable client time. Varnum also provides a financial contribution that far exceeds the Voluntary Standard established by the State Bar of Michigan. Varnum also pays all costs associated with each representation, and waives reimbursement for these expenses.
Our commitment to the Pro Bono Program begins with our summer associates, who are offered the opportunity to handle at least one referral case during their clerkship, a unique and positive aspect of our summer program, and continues with our associate level attorneys. Our partners also devote a significant amount of time to the program through supervising younger attorneys and summer clerks as well as through handling their own cases. Mark Allard, litigation partner, is our pro bono coordinator.
Varnum is a significant provider of Pro Bono Publico legal services every year. We provides the equivalent of a full time lawyer in Pro Bono Publico representation annually. We are proud of our efforts in providing assistance to those in need, and we are recognized as a leader in Pro Bono efforts.