In the spirit of Pro Bono month, BBA Week recently caught up with the BBA's
Bankruptcy Section to learn more about their Bankruptcy Pro Bono Initiative -- a
program seeking to provide effective legal representation for pro se litigants
filing for chapter 7 bankruptcy.
"There are many people in need.
Additionally, the Massachusetts Bankruptcy Judges have told us there is an
overwhelming number of pro se filers in the system," said Bankruptcy Section
Co-Chair Douglas Gooding of Choate Hall & Stewart. "This pro bono initiative
seeks to provide access to justice for indigent debtors while reducing strain on
the court."
To support and encourage attorneys to take on these cases, the Bankruptcy Pro
Bono Committee is sponsoring a "Bankruptcy Basics" training seminar for
volunteers on October 7 at 4 p.m. at the BBA's 16 Beacon Street
headquarters.
"The seminar is designed to provide
lawyers with limited prior individual Chapter 7 Bankruptcy the experience,
knowledge and confidence to take on cases," said BBA Bankruptcy Pro Bono
Committee Co-Chair Elaine Benkoski. "This vitally important pro bono initiative
will provide desperately needed help for people who would otherwise be unable to
access and negotiate the Bankruptcy Court system pro se and receive relief from
crushing debt."
To learn more about the program, click
here or contact Jenna Peterson at jpeterson@bostonbar.org