McCarter & English Selects Pro Bono Manager Software for Firmwide Management and Reporting

NEW YORK (April 15, 2010) – Pro Bono Net, a leader in innovative programs that increase access to justice, today announced that McCarter & English has selected Pro Bono Manager, Pro Bono Net’s pro bono practice management software for law firms. Pro Bono Manager helps firms meet the challenge of managing a robust pro bono program, allowing them to maximize their public service impact. McCarter joins a growing roster of law firms using Pro Bono Manager, including Ropes & Gray; Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe; Linklaters; Manatt, Phelps & Phillips; and Weil, Gotshal & Manges. "As the oldest law firm in New Jersey, McCarter & English has a historical commitment to pro bono, and encourages pro bono work by all of its attorneys,” said Eric W. Wiechmann, Firmwide Managing Partner. “Our commitment is demonstrated by the fact that associates in each of our seven offices receive credit for their pro bono time to the same extent as billable time. We look forward to implementing Pro Bono Manager, and know that doing so will only enhance our ability to effectively and efficiently manage our stellar Pro Bono Program." McCarter’s recent pro bono work has included helping military reservists and veterans obtain the disability benefits they are entitled to, in partnership with the New Jersey State Bar Association's Military Legal Assistance Program, and helping individuals with criminal records in Newark address barriers to community reintegration, in partnership with Newark Reentry Legal Services - a program run by Volunteer Lawyers for Justice. McCarter received an A+ from the New Jersey Law Journal in recognition of its substantial pro bono efforts in 2009, and was ranked in the top 100 firms in the country for pro bono by The American Lawyer. Pro Bono Manager, developed with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, helps law firms increase pro bono participation, manage pro bono caseloads more efficiently and raise internal and external awareness of pro bono efforts. The Web-based software integrates data from existing time and billing and personnel systems, and offers customizable tools for case management and detailed reporting. Pro Bono Manager also leverages Pro Bono Net’s nationwide network of public interest legal groups to provide access to practice materials, volunteer opportunities, training events and relevant news. The software is built on Microsoft’s SharePoint 2007 and SQL Reporting Services, and was developed in partnership with XMLaw. For additional product information, contact Adam Licht at (212) 760-2554 x486 or alicht@probono.net. About Pro Bono Net Pro Bono Net is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to justice through innovative uses of technology and increased volunteer lawyer participation. Founded in 1998, Pro Bono Net has created a broad and powerful network of nonprofit legal aid providers, courts and bar associations across the United States and Canada. This network uses two innovative web-based platforms—www.probono.net and www.lawhelp.org—to recruit and manage volunteers and provide direct information and tools for low-income communities and the organizations that serve them. For more information, please visit www.probono.net/probonomanager. Contact: Pam Weisz, Pro Bono Net Phone: (212) 760-2554 x485 E-mail: pweisz@probono.net