The importance of pro bono services for attorneys, particularly smaller law firms and single practice professionals, cannot be over-stated. There is both a personal reward of gratification and a communal sense of accomplishment and philanthropy in giving one’s services to those less fortunate.
Mark Shalloway, an elder care and wills & trusts attorney in West Palm Beach, Florida is one strong example of leading the way in pro bono services with his free community seminars. The classes are informational sessions to help men and women from all walks of life learn more about the intricacies of caring for the elderly, insurance requirements, estate planning, caring for special needs loved ones and many other topics.
The seminars are free and open to the public and have been very warmly-received by the area legal community. The sessions are usually held at various community centers and include question/answer sessions with the Firm’s President, G. Mark Shalloway.
With the skyrocketing costs of senior care and the very real world concerns of legal and insurance requirements, children and parents both benefit from these endeavors by the firm.
Interestingly enough, as a result of the Shalloway & Shalloway project, the firm’s free seminars have also attained media coverage, a bit of windfall in the process of helping one’s community.
The firm’s seminar page is a great way to start learning about their pro bono work. It serves as a good example of utilizing the web to improve one’s web presence in the process.