Court Opinion

ID: 9882268
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-10-05 17:04:04.560016+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:01:45.635193
License: Public Domain

Cite as 2023 Ark. 136
                SUPREME COURT OF ARKANSAS

                                                  Opinion Delivered: October 5, 2023
  IN RE ARKANSAS ACCESS TO
  JUSTICE MONTH AND THE
  ARKANSAS PRO BONO APPEALS
  PILOT PROGRAM

                                        PER CURIAM

       As officers of the court, Arkansas attorneys bear a professional responsibility, under

Rule 6.1 of the Arkansas Rules of Professional Conduct, to provide free legal services to

persons of limited means or organizations that serve persons of limited means and to

voluntarily contribute financial support to organizations that provide legal services to persons

of limited means. This commitment to public service represents one of the noblest attributes

of the legal profession.

       We join the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission in designating October as Access

to Justice Month to recognize the valuable contributions made by legal aid and pro bono

attorneys throughout the year and to encourage pro bono participation to address the legal

needs of low-income Arkansans.

       The Court commends the many Arkansas attorneys who serve their profession, their

communities, and their state by donating thousands of hours of pro bono services. The

Court encourages all attorneys to abide by both the letter and the spirit of Rule 6.1 through

pro bono service and financial support. Consistent with Rule 3.7(B) of the Arkansas Code
of Judicial Conduct, the Court also encourages all judges to advocate for pro bono service

by attorneys, to participate in events that honor attorneys who provide pro bono service, to

write and speak in favor of pro bono service, and to recruit attorneys to provide pro bono

service.

       As part of the Court’s effort to encourage pro bono service, we announced last spring

the creation of the Arkansas Pro Bono Appeals Pilot Program for the purpose of providing

low-income appellate litigants with pro bono advice and counsel. In re Creation of the

Arkansas Pro Bono Appeals Pilot Program, 2023 Ark. 110 (per curiam). At that time, we sought

volunteer attorneys and noted that we anticipated announcing additional information about

the program once it became operational. Today, the court is pleased to announce that the

program is operational. Litigants seeking pro bono appellate assistance can start the

application process by contacting the Center for Arkansas Legal Services (CALS) and Legal

Aid (Legal Aid) of Arkansas at 1-800-952-9243. Upon receipt of a referral from CALS or

Legal Aid, we ask volunteer attorneys to, at a minimum, consult with the prospective client

about the appeal. The extent of any further assistance or representation pursuant to a referral

is a matter between the attorney and the prospective client.

       Attorneys who wish to participate or who have questions about the program should

email the Arkansas Supreme Court Clerk at probonoappeals@arcourts.gov. We again thank

everyone willing to assist in this effort to extend access to appellate justice to our fellow

Arkansans who are without the resources to hire appellate counsel.

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