By Margaret Benson
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services
It's that time again. The holidays. Time to frolic in the snow, drink hot cocoa, wrap presents, light candles and … work?
Somehow, work just doesn't fit into anyone's agenda in December. But, it's a necessary evil. Then there's pro bono. How on earth can you find time to do that when you don't even have time for your own work? But you know that pro bono is important and especially relevant this time of year. There's that whole giving is better than receiving thing and that helping others thing. So how can you get into the pro bono spirit and have some fun too?
Sing. Pro bono carols are the perfect way to keep this ethical obligation in mind.
To the tune of "We Three Kings"
We three guys with legal degrees
like to do some cases for free.
They inspire us and afire us
to serve humanity.
Ohhhhhhhh
Volunteer work is the key.
It preserves our sanity.
We'll not shirk this legal work,
'cause it's the right thing for you and me.
To the tune of "Up on the Rooftop"
Look at the rooftop, quick, quick, quick.
Water is seeping, drip, drip, drip.
Found me a contractor who worked cheap.
Turns out the guy was a real creep.
Uh, oh, oh, I didn't know.
Uh, oh, oh, I didn't know-o-o-
I need a lawyer to help me.
One who is good and will work for free.
He promised a contract "real soon,"
said he would start the next day at noon.
Paid him a thousand for supplies,
turns out he told me a pack of lies.
Uh. oh. Oh, I didn't know.
Uh. oh. Oh, I didn't know-o-o-
I need a lawyer to help me.
One who is good and will work for free.
Went through my savings, I'm elderly,
all his work was done shoddily.
Water is leaking worse than before,
it's ruined my ceilings and my floor.
Uh, oh, oh, I didn't know.
Uh, oh, oh, I didn't know-o-o-
I need a lawyer to help me.
One who is good and will work for free.
I have no money left to pay,
the mechanic's lien he filed today.
I don't know what I'm going to do.
Can somebody help me? Please, can you?
Uh, oh, oh, I didn't know.
Uh oh oh, I didn't know-o-o-
I need a lawyer to help me.
One who is good and will work for free.
To the tune of "My Favorite Things"
No one likes lawyers, we know you'll agree.
But what if the lawyers do not charge a fee?
That's what we do here, we're pro bono folk,
most of our clients are terribly broke.
Are clients are poor and they're desperate for help.
They haven't got money. No Hanukkah gelt.
We give them free access to justice and then,
we do it again and again and again.
Litigation. Poverty law. This is what we do.
We give them our legal protection and then,
Our clients can start anew.
We all love our work and we do it quite well.
You know times are tough, you can probably tell.
Divorces, foreclosures, bankruptcies and more,
too many clients are crossing our floor.
It's not always easy, the work can be hard.
But working for free can be a reward.
Most clients are happy that we're helping them.
And judges are thankful again and again.
Litigation. Poverty law. This is what we do.
We need more pro bono attorneys to help.
We think you'd be good. Will you?
To the tune of "O, Tannenbaum"
Oh volunteer.
Oh volunteer.
Thank you all who volunteer.
Oh volunteer.
Oh volunteer.
We toast you who volunteer.
Pro bono is the way you roll.
You're smart and sweet and sometimes droll.
You access law for those in need.
Thank you for your awesome deed.
To the tune of "Silver Bells"
Litigation.
Mediation.
Even transactions too.
On the street there's a feeling of panic.
Lawyers working.
Lawyers rushing.
Billing hour after hour.
But slow down and you'll hear this refrain:
Volunteer.
Volunteer.
Take time to do some pro bono.
Let's be clear.
Volunteer.
It's time to help others too.