Nebraska MCLE #pending. 2 CLE ethics hours. (Distance learning credit)
As members of the legal profession, lawyers serve three roles: representative of clients, officer of the legal system and public citizen having special responsibility for the quality of justice. The Preamble to the Nebraska Rules of Professional Conduct requires lawyers to be “mindful of deficiencies in the administration of justice and of the fact that the poor, and sometimes persons who are not poor, cannot afford adequate legal assistance.” Pro bono legal service is considered a traditional duty of the legal profession. Nebraska lawyers should devote professional time and resources and use civic influence to ensure equal access to our system of justice for all those who because of economic or social barriers cannot afford or secure adequate legal counsel. This CLE focuses on the Nebraska Rules of Professional Conduct that govern pro bono legal services:
- Preamble to the Nebraska Rules of Professional Conduct: A Lawyer’s Responsibilities
- Neb. Ct. R. of Prof. Cond. § 3-506.1 Voluntary pro bono services
- Neb. Ct. R. of Prof. Cond. § 3-506.2 Accepting appointments
- Neb. Ct. R. of Prof. Cond. § 3-506.3 Membership in legal services organization
- Neb. Ct. R. of Prof. Cond. § 3-506.4 Law reform activities affecting client interests
- Neb. Ct. R. of Prof. Cond. § 3-506.5 Non-profit and court-annexed limited legal service programs
- Neb. Ct. R. of Prof. Cond. § 3-501.7 Conflict of interest; current clients
- Neb. Ct. R. of Prof. Cond. § 3-501.9 Duties to former clients
- Neb. Ct. R. of Prof. Cond. § 3-501.10 Imputation of conflicts of interest; general rule
Topics include a discussion how the Rules apply to pro bono services a lawyer may undertake to:
- improve deficiencies in the administration of justice
- exemplify the legal profession’s ideals of public service
- educate the public to have a better understanding of law and the justice system
- aid the profession to ensure equal access to justice
- devote professional time, resources and civic influence to ensure equal access to justice
This CLE will also present an overview of the Nebraska State Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP). Created in the early 1980s, VLP is place of last resort for persons who, because of economic or social barriers, cannot afford or secure adequate legal counsel.
Volunteer lawyers assist the legal profession in pursuing equal access to the legal system for these persons.
Carol A. Cleaver is the Director/Managing Attorney of the Nebraska State Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project. A 2006 graduate of Creighton University School of Law, Carol is admitted to practice in Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas. She has been active in promoting and providing pro bono legal services to persons who cannot afford an attorney and to volunteer staffed nonprofit organizations. Carol is an appointed member of the Nebraska Supreme Court Minority Justice Committee. Before joining the Volunteer Lawyers Project in April 2015, Carol served the NSBA in various volunteer roles. She is a regular presenter on CLE topics, including domestic law, ethics, and law office technology.
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If you have any questions for the presenter(s) of this webinar, please send your question via email to Sara Weber at sweber@nebar.com. She will forward your question to the presenter(s), who will provide an answer promptly.
Nebraska attorneys may claim only 5 hours of distance-learning CLE per year. For more information, see https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/13449/mandatory-continuing-legal-education-mcle.
