Pro Bono
Pro bono may translate literally as “free” but when it comes to the time and resources donated by pro bono partners from across the nation, the value to Mississippi is immeasurable. The Mississippi Center for Justice relies on a dedicated network of attorneys from a wide range of practice areas to support our legal advocacy work throughout the state. Attorneys who give of their time to advance the social justice environment in Mississippi not only improve the lives and living conditions of people in Mississippi, but they often improve themselves in the process.
While the support provided to the Mississippi Center for Justice is great, the need still far outweighs the resources. The greatest need on the Coast is simply for more lawyers working in-state. Between the Mississippi Center for Justice and the Mississippi Center for Legal Services, there are roughly the equivalent of seven full-time lawyers helping both hurricane survivors and the existing poverty population in the six coastal counties with the full range of legal needs. Some of these lawyers are not providing direct legal services but are focusing instead on the broader policy objectives that would address conditions causing the exploding need for direct assistance.
With the approval from the Bar, out-of-state volunteers can represent clients without the requirement of local co-counsel or pro hac vice admission. Simply complete the 
Affidavit for Practice in Miss.pdf. Once the affidavit is executed, please fax it to the Office of General Counsel of The Mississippi Bar at (601) 510-8599, and mail the original hard copy to The Mississippi Bar, Office of General Counsel, PO Box 2168, Jackson, MS 39225-2168.
Once the attorney has been approved, the Bar will notify the Mississippi Center for Justice. The Bar has asked that attorneys not contact them to determine the status of their affidavit. Instead, please contact Crystal Utley to confirm approval if you have not already heard from her.
There are many ways attorneys can get involved with the Mississippi Center for Justice. A few examples include:
• Fund a Fellow: Underwrite the salary for a one-year fellow to conduct advocacy, outreach coordination, direct representation, and facilitation of pro bono to the firm.
• Lend a lawyer for one to six months: either one attorney for the full rotation or a series of lawyers, each spending a shorter period of time.
• Send attorneys to support legal clinics. The opportunity to assist for one day or one week exists. By spending one week in Mississippi, volunteers help prepare for the clinic, do intake on-site and conduct any follow-up needed to prepare matters for pro bono referral.
Responding to the massive and continually emerging housing-related legal needs of low-income survivors and their communities left in Katrina’s wake is a continual challenge. Problems related to Katrina’s destruction of housing include anticipated foreclosures due to the inability to make overdue mortgage payments, insurance disputes, unscrupulous and fraudulent contractors, predatory financers, difficulties obtaining FEMA benefits and a host of other legal problems listed below.
Katrina-Related Direct Representation Matters
Foreclosure Assistance
A foreclosure moratorium in effect for two years following Hurricane Katrina allowed homeowners to file a petition to stay foreclosure. However, the moratorium ended on October 4, 2007. The Katrina-exacerbated foreclosure crisis is beginning to hit Mississippi hard. Hurricane survivors need help obtaining workout agreements with the existing lender or refinancing with another lender. If attempts to negotiate a new payment plan or to refinance are unsuccessful, attorneys will be needed to file bankruptcy as counsel of record on behalf of the debtors so that they will not lose their homes.
Contractor Fraud
Now that some south Mississippians have received insurance payments and/or a Homeowner Grant, many have become victims of contractor scams or unacceptable work. Clients in these situations need help with determining whether local criminal prosecutorial bodies are pursuing the matter, locating the contractor and preparing a demand letter for the return of funds paid, negotiating a settlement, and in some cases, representing the client in a lawsuit. Most cases settle before needing to file a lawsuit. If necessary, a volunteer’s engagement letter can limit representation to assistance up until, but not including, filing a lawsuit. It may be possible to identify local counsel for appearances where out-of-state volunteers prepare and file all the pleadings.
Insurance
Many south Mississippians are still in dispute with their insurance companies over the amount of damages and extent of coverage. Clients in these situations need help with preparing and providing persuasive supplemental information to their insurer, negotiating a settlement, and in some cases, representing the client in a lawsuit. If necessary, a volunteer’s engagement letter can limit representation to assistance up until but not including filing a lawsuit. It may be possible to identify local counsel for appearances where out-of-state volunteers prepare and file all the pleadings.
FEMA
Even three years after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, Mississippians are also still doing battle with FEMA. Attorneys are needed to help survivors living in FEMA trailers transition into other temporary or permanent housing.
Mississippi Development Authority
Hurricane Katrina survivors need assistance with homeowner grants, federal assistance money administered by the state. Some need assistance appealing decisions regarding the cause or extent of damage, but many need an attorney to follow up with the agency since they have been waiting on the grant for several months.
Miscellaneous
There are a wide variety of additional but lower volume legal matters such as inconsistencies in elevation requirements.
There are also opportunities for attorneys to assist the Mississippi Center for Justice with the following needs:
- Developing and implementing a foreclosure prevention campaign along with the Mississippi Center for Justice staff and partners.
- Planning and implementing steps to attack predatory lending in conjunction with our local coalition.
- Addressing the right of return to public housing and other issues relating to the quality of housing.
- Partnering with Mississippi Center for Legal Services to address the insufficiency of the notification and appeals process for denial of food stamps.
- Educating minority communities regarding land use so that they may protect themselves.
Pro-Bono Contact
For more information about pro bono opportunities.
Crystal Utley
E-mail: cutley@mscenterforjustice.org
