Pro Bono Program

Our pro bono program encourages our attorneys to identify potential pro bono matters of substantial public importance, and represent individuals of limited means. Our law firm created an environment where attorneys can develop projects to fit their own interests or join in existing projects offered by the firm. The types of pro bono representation the firm undertakes vary, but typically do not include plaintiffs' cases, such as plaintiff employment law and family law matters, or consumer bankruptcies. Downey Brand also works in conjunction with Voluntary Legal Services and CARES to operate a simple wills and durable powers of attorney clinic for people with HIV/AIDS.

Following are some examples of pro bono projects taken on by Downey Brand:

Nonprofits
The firm provided legal advice to the following nonprofits: Capitol Public Radio, Deterding Arts Resources Team, St. John's Shelter for Women & Children, Lilliput Children's Services, Friends for Life Animal Outreach, and the Greater Sacramento Alzheimer's Association.

The firm incorporated and assisted with the start-up of Project Help: Sacramento Mobilizing Against Substance Abuse, a non-profit that aims to combat substance abuse in the Sacramento area through public education and coalition building.

Our business lawyers advise non-profit organizations. For example, we have formed organizations and helped them obtain tax-exempt status, and we have advised nonprofits regarding employment issues and real estate transactions.

Individuals of Limited Means
The firm represented an indigent Spanish-speaking family in a debt collection lawsuit involving a vehicle they had sold years before, and successfully obtained a dismissal of the action.

The firm obtained a substantial monetary settlement on behalf of an individual client who had been sued by a creditor with respect to alleged charge card debt.

Court System and State Bar
At the request of the Fourth District of the California Court of Appeal, the firm filed an amicus brief, on behalf of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, regarding the characterization of life insurance proceeds paid to a party for purposes of calculating child support. In a published opinion, In re Marriage of Scheppers (2002) 86 Cal.App.4th 646, the Court adopted the position advocated by the firm.

We participate in the 9th Circuit lawyer referral panel (which focuses on immigration, prisoner rights and other civil rights cases).

We are part of the federal Eastern District of California Pro Bono Project panel (which focuses primarily on prisoner rights cases).

Many of the firm's lawyers are actively involved with local and California bar sections that focus on improving the legal system.

Special Program - Simple Wills Clinic

Since 2001, Downey Brand has been providing simple wills and durable powers of attorney for health care to people with HIV and AIDS. Currently, the clinic works in conjunction with CARES, a non-profit healthcare entity established in 1989 through a partnership of Sacramento County and the area's four major hospital systems to provide a coordinated response to the Sacramento area's exploding HIV/AIDS epidemic. There are about 4-6 attorneys that work with the clinic, meeting with the clients the last Monday of every month at CARES' office downtown. Clients return the following month to sign their will and durable power of attorney for health care. To find out more about the services, contact CARES at 443-3299.

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