Legal Commentary

New York-based Pro Bono Net has won the 2010 InnovAction Award from the College of Law Practice Management. The competition honors outstanding innovation in the delivery of legal services, "demonstrating to the legal community what can happen when passionate professionals, with big ideas and strong convictions, resolve to create effective change," says Jordan Furlong, a partner with Edge International, who was chair of this year's contest.

Pro Bono Net was selected for its LawHelp Interactive program that helps underrepresented citizens complete necessary legal forms. Last year, about 150,000 civil court forms were created with the service, including documents regarding child support, domestic violence protective orders, consumer debt, and eviction, says PBN. The system helps create efficiencies for legal aid programs, so more people can be served, and also makes it easier for attorneys to help in areas of law where they may lack experience.

Bill Pollak, ALM's president and CEO, is the current chair of PBN's board of directors.

New York's Axiom won an honorable mention for its "function outsourcing" program, designed to reduce costs and improve efficiencies for clients.

The CLPM was formed in 1994; 200 practitioners have been chosen as fellows.