by April-Lynn Logan

Created on: May 26, 2009   Last Updated: May 28, 2009

Seriously? Now pro bono work does have it's benefits and is a good way for a new lawyer to make their way into the profession but why should anyone be expected to work for free. So I am not a lawyer or a doctor, so why should I care? I care because where do you draw the line? Which profession has to work for free and which one does not? Would it end up going by how much money you make a year, how many hours you put in, or the size of your house?

Right now the automotive industry lies in dire straights, should all those workers put in weeks of work for free to save their employer? Should a baker be required to bake a cake for free? No and nor we would we ask them to. The baker that bakes the cake would be recognized for their giving nature. Maybe the investment broker should be forced to work with the poor and take their last $100 to invest in some risky thing, so that maybe just maybe, they can have more money. If he fails, and they can not eat the next month, should he be ridiculed?

I am completely against this type of forced work. Why should people that have invested their time and money into their education be the ones that are forced to do community service? Because an individual decided that they wanted to be a lawyer, or a doctor, be forced to give back to the community. There was nothing given to them. They may have been able to receive grants, but that required hard work through high school, college and university. This should be voluntary.

Is this not slavery? A person forced to work for free with the use of threat. Oh, but because they are making so much money the two thoughts do not seem to be put together. So they are not beaten or ridiculed but they are definitely threatened. I do believe it would go something like, if you do not take at least two pro bono cases a year we will not renew your license you will be banned from the bar. What happened to the land of the free? This goes against everything that my country and your country stand for. Besides when was the last time that you were forced to do something, did you put in the time and effort that you really could of? No you did just enough to get by.

I personally think that community services should be the responsibility of all of the community. There should be no discrimination. At one time or another everyone needs a hand out and a hand up.

In turn, there is another side. Maybe it should be that all people are required to provide voluntary services. No matter what your profession is, you can always help out some where. Here's a suggestion let's completely stop segregating individuals and work as a whole community. One gives, another receives and, in turn, the receiver becomes the giver.

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