The pro bono management company said Tuesday that the new portal would allow users to find opportunities to serve as election judges or poll workers, assist with voter registration and participate in text and letter-writing campaigns to inform voters of any ID verification barriers in swing states. The portal will also allow lawyers to connect with poll workers seeking pro bono legal assistance and offer support to electoral nonprofits.
"Protecting the right to vote is not just about securing an election; it's about safeguarding the foundation of democracy," Kristen Sonday, Paladin's co-founder and chief executive, said in a statement. "When we ensure that every voice is heard and every vote counts, we also defend the principle of justice for all."
Volunteers with Paladin accounts can access pro bono opportunities through their organization's portal and through its weekly newsletter. Members of the public can also access the portal without a login or at any cost.
Founded in 2015, Paladin offers a customizable platform that connects law firms and in-house legal departments with pro bono opportunities from legal aid organizations. Some of Paladin's clients include law firms Dentons, Clifford Chance LLP, Holland & Knight LLP and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati PC, according to its website.
The new initiative comes as the U.S. election in November quickly approaches. Legal questions have swirled around the presidential race throughout the year, particularly in relation to ethics scandals plaguing the U.S. Supreme Court and its ability to shift the direction of lawsuits pertaining to former president and current Republican nominee Donald Trump.
In August, the American Bar Association's Task Force for American Democracy, which launched last year, published a report outlining the importance of lawyers knowing their state's election laws and encouraging them to volunteer their time to bolster faith in elections.
At the start of the year, Paladin announced its first acquisition since launching, purchasing law firm reporting tool Pro Bono Manager from the nonprofit Pro Bono Net. As part of the deal, Pro Bono Manager clients moved to Paladin's platform, creating a larger network of legal aid organizations and volunteers.
--Additional reporting by Jack Rodgers and Sarah Martinson. Editing by Alanna Weissman.
For a reprint of this article, please contact reprints@law360.com.
