Laurie Barron is tapped to head Feinstein

Our students have role models who 
can teach them to balance. /
Our students have role models who can teach them to balance. /

Laurie Barron has been promoted to executive director of the Feinstein Institute for Legal Service. Barron was recently selected to become a member of the National Advisory Committee to Equal Justice Works. She has a B.A. in American studies from Yale University, an M.A. in social work from New York University and a J.D. from New York University of Law.

PBN: What are the most exciting new programs in the Feinstein Institute?
BARRON: Our Pro Bono Collaborative … is our most innovative and successful program right now. We created the collaborative in response to a demonstrated need for more pro bono service in Rhode Island and a lack of pro bono opportunities for lawyers who do not litigate. Through a survey we conducted in 2005, we learned that many lawyers, especially those in large firms, were not participating in pro bono work because they lacked the specialized training, support that law students could provide or litigation experience. … Under the leadership of Eliza Vorenberg, an experienced lawyer with both public and private sector experience, the collaborative has grown to include over 40 law-firm attorneys from eight firms, working with 19 different community-based organizations and more than 35 law students.

PBN: Lawyers have a goal of donating 50 hours of pro bono work each year. Do you see that goal being met?
BARRON: That goal is not currently being met. Our curriculum, through our public service requirement, is designed to inculcate the value of public service while students are learning about professionalism and ethical responsibilities. By working alongside … lawyers as students through the collaborative, our students have role models who can teach them to balance their pro bono obligations with fee-generating work.

PBN: Can lawyers from the community participate in your programs?
BARRON: Many lawyers and judges are involved in our programs as externship supervisors and public service supervisors. Our programs would not exist without the active participation of so many members of the Rhode Island Bar Association. In addition, we have moved our annual Public Interest Auction to Providence this year in an effort to attract the participation of as many Rhode Island lawyers as possible. We are looking for contributions that can be auctioned to help raise money for students doing unpaid public interest legal work in the summer. &#8226

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