by Tshenolo Masha

The focus for ProBono.Org this year will be strengthening relations with attorneys and other legal professionals. We hope to hold pro bono briefing sessions in the Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga provinces. As our Cape Town office in Khayelitsha is now up and running, we are also looking forward to interacting with attorneys practising in the Western Cape.

We are officially launching the pro bono Refugee Guide on 24 February. This is made possible by contributors from Norton Rose Fulbright SA, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr and Fasken Martineau who have dedicated their time in drafting practical and concise guides to assist other legal professionals who have not been exposed to this aspect of the law. Our office is also partnering with the Deeds Office in Johannesburg to host a recruitment session for pro bono conveyancers to assist with the ever-increasing need for assistance with transfers from deceased estates.

We hope to have face-to-face meetings with attorneys and advocates, but we are also developing an online registration system that will see the use of technology in reaching out to the private legal profession in a way that will be efficient and ground-breaking.

Our events such as Women’s Day in August, Housing Day in October and the prestigious ProBono Awards are our annual highlights. These will also be held in conjunction with community events focused on the legal empowerment of vulnerable groups and service providers that offer social assistance to the most needy in communities.

Please let us know if you are not receiving invitations and notices from our emailing system or if you would like to host or speak at one of our events and workshops. We would love to hear from you. Also, if you are an attorney or advocate and want to sign up to do pro bono work, please send us an email to Phumi@probono.org.za.