There has been a push in recent years to make legal services available on a pro bono basis to facilitate equal access to justice, without regard for ability to pay. In providing pro bono legal services, attorneys and referral agencies have recognized that for many of their clients, they can only offer a partial solution… a complete solution would require a combination of both legal and financial expertise.
The professionals at SRR possess specialized financial expertise that can benefit low-income individuals and the non-profit organizations that support them. In addition, our expertise can be of value to newly formed for-profit entities or community economic development organizations looking to serve the needs of the low-income community or spur the re-building of blighted areas. To share our expertise with those individuals and organizations that can derive great benefit from, but are unable to afford, the services we offer, SRR has established a Pro Bono Practice.
Who Qualifies?
- Organizations that serve the interests of low-income individuals
- Organizations or individuals advocating for public, civil or human rights
- Non-profit organizations that would not otherwise be able to afford professional services, or where the payment of fees for such services would significantly interfere with that organization’s mission
- Certain small for-profit businesses that cannot otherwise afford such services and seek to fulfill a commercial need in an economically-challenged neighborhood or to serve low-income customers
Available Services
- Assessment of internal controls
- Budget development and review
- Cash flow forecasting and financial modeling
- Economic damage calculations
- Expert witness testimony
- Family law matters
- Forensic accounting
- Insurance claim calculations
- Insurance placement consulting
- Internal investigations
- Research projects
- Valuation services
Recent Pro Bono Case Experience
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SRR provided valuation and consulting services in a divorce matter on behalf of an individual who was the victim of domestic violence, was denied access to any of the marital financial records, and had no means to hire counsel or experts. The services were provided in connection with the State Family Law Assistance Project.
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SRR assisted a nationally recognized law school in developing a robust financial model to assist with budgeting and forecasting. SRR pro bono efforts included discussions with law school administrators, the development of a financial model that could interface with the law school's reporting platform, and ongoing guidance on how to utilize the model to gather information from department heads and review the information for completeness and accuracy.
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SRR assisted a significant non-profit organization in the Greater Chicago area evaluating opportunities to liquidate certain properties in its real estate portfolio. Our pro bono efforts included performing high-level valuations of certain properties in this portfolio located in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. The property types varied from vacant land and office buildings, to recreational properties.
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For more case studies, click here.
If you or an organization you are involved with are in need of and qualify for SRR’s pro bono services, contact Neil Steinkamp. Organizations will be required to complete our Application for Pro Bono Services.
Because we have committed to accepting only those pro bono matters that are consistent with the focus areas of our pro bono work, as outlined above, any potential pro bono matter must be approved internally by our Pro Bono Committee. Opportunities to provide pro bono services will be reviewed by our Pro Bono Committee to determine whether the potential matter: (i) presents any ethical or positional conflicts with existing clients; (ii) is consistent with the firm’s pro bono policies; and (iii) can be staffed adequately in light of available resources and expertise.
