Mark O’Brien, who cofounded Pro Bono Net 25 years ago alongside Michael Hertz, is stepping down from his role as executive director on September 1. O’Brien has been leading the organization since 2005, and he is departing to begin a long-planned retirement. Although he will step down from his executive position, he will continue to serve as an advisor until the end of the year to facilitate the transition to new leadership.
Pro Bono Net’s board is set to launch a national search for O’Brien’s successor. In the interim, two longstanding members of the management team, Liz Keith, currently the chief partnerships officer, and Rodrigo Camarena, the director of Justicia Lab, will serve as interim co-directors.
Reflecting on the journey, O’Brien wrote in an email to Pro Bono Net supporters: “Twenty-five years ago, Michael Hertz and I started Pro Bono Net with a simple idea about the potential for technology and collaboration to serve as a force multiplier for pro bono legal services delivery. That has grown into an organization that partners with hundreds of legal services, immigrants’ rights, and community organizations, as well as law firms, corporations, courts, and government agencies to drive innovation in legal service delivery. Most importantly, we are helping individuals access justice and empowering them to vindicate their rights. And that is a legacy I am very proud of.”
Throughout its history, Pro Bono Net has aimed to leverage technology to connect pro bono attorneys with those in need and provide legal tools to help individuals advocate for themselves. The organization runs several state-level programs like LawHelp.org, which links people with legal aid programs and self-help tools, and TenantHelpNY.org, which aids tenants in avoiding eviction. National programs include Citizenshipworks.org, assisting with citizenship applications, and OlmsteadRights.org, providing resources for people with disabilities. It also includes tools like LawHelp Interactive, which helps individuals create legal documents.
Earlier this year, Pro Bono Net sold its Pro Bono Manager product, which allowed large firms to manage their pro bono programs, to Paladin, a company that connects lawyers with opportunities for free legal help.
For those interested in the history and future of Pro Bono Net, an interview with O’Brien on the LawNext podcast provides a detailed examination of the organization’s impactful work.
(For full details, visit the source article.)