HARRISBURG (Oct. 18, 2012) - Gov. Tom Corbett and the state General Assembly have proclaimed Oct. 21 - 27, 2012, as "Pennsylvania Pro Bono Week," noting that pro bono legal services are a "great benefit to the indigent citizens of the Commonwealth and contribute to the effective and efficient administration of justice." The Pennsylvania Bar Association is joining with the American Bar Association in the celebration of Pro Bono Week to highlight the volunteer legal work contributed by lawyers in their communities.

"The proclamation of 'Pro Bono Week' allows us to pay proper tribute to attorneys across our state who give selflessly to ensuring access to justice for many people and organizations," said PBA President Thomas G. Wilkinson Jr. "The term 'pro bono publico' means for the public good, and across the commonwealth, lawyers are giving thousands of hours of volunteer time to the public good through work with legal services to those in need, including charitable organizations and community associations."

Pennsylvania Pro Bono Week will highlight the good work of Pennsylvania attorneys through events such as the Annual Berks County Pro Bono celebration Oct. 23 in Reading featuring longtime legal aid advocate and pro bono champion, former Pennsylvania Governor and U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh. Local bar associations across the state are sponsoring a variety of events. Read the gubernatorial proclamation and state House and Senate resolutions.

The PBA Pro Bono Office assists local bar associations, legal services programs and other groups who offer pro bono legal services across the commonwealth to expand access to justice for the needy. PBA Pro Bono Coordinator David Keller Trevaskis has served as the PBA's first full-time pro bono attorney since 2001. Since 2001, the PBA's in-house pro bono efforts have assisted almost 55,000 people with legal aid issues; honored more than 350 individuals and organizations with pro bono awards; conducted nearly 220 CLE programs locally, regionally and across the state; and secured $114,050 in grant funding and more than $250,000 in direct and in-kind donations.

The PBA also regularly highlights the volunteer legal services of its members through a "Lawyers Making a Difference" column in its biweekly newspaper. Past columns can be found at http://www.pabar.org/public/makingdifference.asp

Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association strives to promote justice, professional excellence and respect for the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access to legal services; and serve the 28,000 lawyers who are members of the association.