Why Pro Bono? Closing the Access to Justice Gap in Maine

Why Pro Bono?

Closing the Access to Justice Gap in Maine

Ethics CLE

October 22, 2025

12:00-1:15 p.m.

Via Zoom

Description: 

Rule 6.1 of the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct sets forth this aspiration:  “Every lawyer has a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay.”  The Maine Justice Action (JAG) Group Pro Bono Committee will present a timely and inspiring program on pro bono representation of less fortunate Mainers facing civil legal issues.  The discussion will be moderated by U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Frink Wolf, who chairs JAG’s Pro Bono Committee.  Representatives from four of Maine’s civil legal aid organizations will discuss the challenges to access and the many kinds of legal issues their clients face, the varied opportunities to volunteer through their organizations, and the trainings and resources available for volunteer lawyers.  Judge Wolf will also discuss newly amended Bar Rule 5(f), authored by the JAG Pro Bono Committee, which now allows CLE credit for pro bono publico service.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Frink Wolf, Moderator

Magistrate Judge Karen Frink Wolf graduated from the University of New Hampshire and Syracuse University College of Law. Before her appointment to U.S. Magistrate Judge, she was a partner at the Verrill law firm in Portland, Maine. In addition to her practice as a litigator for thirty-six years, Judge Wolf is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.  Judge Wolf is the Chair of the Justice Action Group’s Pro Bono Committee.

Nell Brimmer, Executive Director, Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP).  After earning her J.D. from John Marshall Law School, Nell began her career at King & Spalding, where she maintained a robust pro bono docket.  Nell previously served as U.S. Manager of Global Pro Bono at the Center for Reproductive Rights. There, she applied a human rights framework to design a proactive pro bono agenda, expand the Center’s global network of top law firms and local counsel, and build innovative partnership models that increased its domestic litigation and advocacy capacity. She has also served as Managing Attorney of the Developmental Services Advocacy team at Disability Rights Maine and as Managing Attorney of Client Access and Pro Bono at Legal Services Alabama.  She currently serves as board treasurer for Aid to Inmate Mothers (AIM) and the National Lawyers Guild.

Bridget Crawford/ Arlene Rodriguez, Cumberland County Staff Attorneys, Legal Services for Maine Elders (LSE).

LSE’s staff attorneys provide and coordinate high quality legal services for Maine citizens 60 or older whose basic human needs are at stake, and advocate for people facing challenges accessing Medicare benefits.

Michelle Gentry, Asylum Pro Bono Coordinator, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP). 

Michelle works at matching and mentoring pro bono attorneys willing to take asylum immigration cases and help asylum seekers receive safety and stability for themselves and their families.  Prior to joining ILAP, Michelle worked as an Asylum Officer, adjudicating asylum cases for the U.S. government.  In addition, she also worked as an attorney on the Texas/Mexican border, helping asylum seekers and others gain humanitarian relief.  Prior to working in the immigration field, Michelle worked as a Spanish-speaking mediator for the 8th Judicial District Court in Nevada as and the Clark County District Attorney's Office.  In order to ensure she can communicate effectively with asylum seekers from around the world, Michelle speaks English, Spanish, and French.   

Shannon Karam, Director of Pro Bono Services at Pine Tree Legal Assistance (PTLA).  Shannon earned her B.A. from Tufts University and J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.  She represented tenants in eviction and warranty of habitability cases in New York before joining Pine Tree's Family Law and Victims' Rights unit in 2017. Since joining Pine Tree, Shannon has practiced in the areas of family, housing, and consumer law, and currently works to expand pro bono services to meet the needs of diverse communities in Maine. 

This CLE is pending approval of one hour of ethics CLE credit.  Zoom credentials will be sent to registrants one day before the program.