Beth Schwartz, a retired clinical professor of law and former director of professional skills at Fordham Law, will be receiving the Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award presented by the City Bar Justice Center.
Schwartz retired last year after more than 30 years of teaching at Fordham Law, where she spearheaded several in-house clinics, the Fundamental Lawyering Skills program, the J.D. Externship program, and the Pro Bono Scholars program. She also created Fordham’s Litigation Skills Clinic, the Law School’s first in-house clinic.
Soon after retiring, Schwartz began volunteering with CBJC’s Federal Pro Se Legal Assistance Project as an attorney emeritus, assisting clients representing themselves in federal court. Since June of 2021, she has worked with more than 50 clients.
Schwartz says she was “stunned” and “delighted” to hear the news that she was nominated for the CBJC award. “To be appreciated as a volunteer, that’s a very special thing,” she said.
The City Bar Justice Center provides free civil legal services to approximately 24,000 people in New York City, with the help of more than 1,800 lawyers who volunteer their time with the organization every year. Among these, only 11 are selected for the organization’s Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award.
Schwartz volunteers with other organizations as well, including the Parole Advocacy Initiative, a joint project between Fordham Law and the Parole Preparation Project.
“[Pro bono work] is important because legal services are, for most people, unaffordable,” said Schwartz. “Until we have a more fair system, where low income and even middle income people can fund litigation, the only way that people without these resources can manage is if lawyers are stepping up and doing pro bono work.”
Schwartz and the other award recipients will receive their CBJC awards at a ceremony on October 25, during National Pro Bono Week.