Kramer Levin Helps Legal Aid Launch New Criminal Defense Pro Bono Project

Kramer Levin and five other area law firms have partnered with The Legal Aid Society to launch the Criminal Defense Pro Bono Project -- an innovative program that not only allows Legal Aid to stretch its limited resources, but also affords law firm associates a unique opportunity to develop their criminal litigation skills. For a period of six months, associates participating in this program devote approximately 20-30% of their time to Legal Aid's criminal defense practice. Under the supervision of Legal Aid mentors, associates serve as lead counsel in misdemeanor cases, representing indigent defendants at all stages of the proceedings, including arraignment, plea negotiations and trial. Associates also assist experienced Legal Aid trial attorneys with felony cases, drafting motions and memoranda, preparing witnesses and second-seating hearings and trials.

The new program was featured in a December 19 New York Law Journal article. Steven Banks, Legal Aid's attorney-in-chief, explained that the program will help fill a crucial gap as Legal Aid faces simultaneous budget cuts and mounting criminal caseloads. He said that the program will be particularly helpful in permitting firm lawyers to give more attention to misdemeanor cases, which may have significant collateral consequences for a defendant's employment, housing, immigration status, and public benefits. Darren LaVerne and Jennifer Diana are serving as the first Kramer Levin associates in the program.