Pro Bono Publico Committee

A Note from the Chair

August 4, 2010

In these difficult economic times, a larger percentage of people facing legal woes find themselves without the means to pay for the legal services they need. Fortunately, there are many government agencies, nonprofit legal aid organizations and law firm pro bono programs available to help these people navigate the legal system. One constant challenge is to match up these pro bono efforts with those most in need of assistance.

Just like our attorney counterparts, we face the challenge of getting the word out to the potential clients who most need our services. The American Society of Trial Consultants has a very active Pro Bono Initiative, whereby jury consultants, courtroom graphics experts and trial technologists provide their services to clients of limited means either free-of-charge or at a very substantial discount. ASTC members have helped out in a pro bono capacity with trial strategy development, pre-trial jury research, jury selection and exhibit production.

So, if you are an attorney who represents clients of limited means, please do not hesitate to contact us for help. If you think that attorneys in your area would like to learn more about the ASTC pro bono initiative, please recommend us to your bar association’s pro bono committee. We have ASTC members ready and willing to come speak about our pro bono initiative. We love what we do and we value the opportunity to give back.

All the best,
Edward P. Schwartz
Chair, ASTC Pro Bono Publico Committee

Diane Wyzga
ASTC Board Liaison to Pro Bono Publico Committee

About the Committee:

The committee is responsible for collection nominations for the pro-bono award, determining the winner(s), soliciting award sponsorship, and executing the award(s). The committee shall follow the guidelines set forth in the leadership manual. The Committee is also responsible for establishing criteria for and determining recipients of distinguished lifetime achievement awards to the profession as well as emeritus status in the Society. The Committee Chairperson shall prepare and submit an interim and a final report to the Executive Director two weeks prior to the mid-year Board meeting and the Annual meeting, respectively.

Chairperson
Edward Schwartz, Ph.D., MSL
Telephone: (617) 416-1070
Fax: (781) 863-5605
schwartz@EPS-consulting.com

Board Liaison
Diane Wyzga RN, J.D.
Telephone: (949) 361-3035
Fax: (949) 369-1589
diane@lightrod.net