In a recent address to New York’s legal community, the state’s Chief Judge emphasized the critical role of in-house counsel in addressing the unmet needs of civil litigants. The Chief Judge specifically pointed out that the issue is not just a matter of justice and fairness; it’s an economic one as well.
Marking a clear call to action for corporate legal departments, he asserted that in-house lawyers possess significant capacities, both in terms of skills and resources, that can be directed towards ameliorating the situation. He challenged them to leverage their expertise to devise creative and scalable solutions to meet these civil needs, particularly those arising among the less privileged sectors of our society.
As corporations become increasingly committed to social responsibility, it is essential that their legal departments take part in this endeavor. This comprises efforts at various levels – providing direct pro bono services, supporting legal aid organizations, shaping public policy, and fostering broad-based partnerships with the human rights and justice sector.
These efforts, apart from addressing a civic need, also reflect positively on a company’s standing in the community, potentially enhancing its market position and overall reputation.
For more details on the Chief Judge’s address and a comprehensive analysis of the call to action, please visit the New Jersey Law Journal’s write-up here.