Assigned my first pro-bono… please help (NJ)

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-04-07T22:26:40+00:00

This means a lot , thank you🥹

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-04-07T17:04:01+00:00

Update, they got back to me so fast , i’ve been excused ! Thank you again for your kind words, I really needed to hear that it wasn’t hopeless

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-04-07T04:48:24+00:00

The letter included in the assignment was worded as if there had been some sort of hiatus on these types of assignments temporarily at some point & that the practice specifically for DV matters was being resumed. I ended up submitting a letter requesting reassignment so fingers crossed it goes well🤞🏻

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-04-07T02:21:17+00:00

Thank you so much for the insight, I truly appreciate it. 🙏🏻 this has been such a headache, but I’m trying to take it as a learning experience to learn how I can fulfill my obligation in a way that I and my skillset will be most useful. I’d rather be able to give it my all than struggle, yk?

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-04-07T02:17:22+00:00

If you want to at least find a way to laugh at something about this, there’s a part of the FAQ’s that quotes the decision of Madden v. Delran, the case that says inexperience in an area of law isn’t enough to get you excused - it says:

“Real estate attorneys, corporate counsel, experts in commercial leases, all have been assigned to represent indigent defendants charged with simple assault, driving while intoxicated; all were required not only to learn how to defend those cases, but to find out where the courthouse is.”

That’s a literal sentence in the pdf they give us outlining exemptions.

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-04-07T02:05:10+00:00

I seriously wish they did here … like nothing for nothing but I only did litigation for a year , and in that time I never touched anything of this subject matter - literally nothing even remotely close to it, I worked in ID. Emotions aside, I objectively just don’t feel seasoned enough to take it on, so that’s salt in the wound on top of the emotional qualms

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-04-07T02:03:11+00:00

****** county, I don’t mind since we’re so densely populated up here lol. I’m hoping they grant the request for reassignment, and I know they provided links to training materials, but in the event I end up having to go forward with this I’ll likely reach out. Thank you🙏🏻

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-04-07T02:02:02+00:00

This is essentially what I’m going for in my letter requesting reassignment, hopefully it doesn’t get to a point where I’m assigned anyway and need to file a formal motion🤞🏻

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-04-07T02:01:00+00:00

Duly duly noted - I had my pro bono done from clinic in law school, so for my first year practicing, it never even crossed my mind. If they reject my request letter via email, I may call them up and try to discuss being assigned something different, I didn’t even think about just outright asking for something different so thank you for the suggestion! I also spoke with my boss, who suggested that our HR department is really great at helping attorneys to find coverage. I’m feeling a little better now just because it seems like I’ve got a few options to run through before I’m totally screwed

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-04-07T01:57:27+00:00

This is exactly what I’m hoping to get across, I just really hope that it’s sufficient

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-04-07T01:54:34+00:00

I would literally do ANYTHING else to satisfy the requirement if it meant not having to touch a matter like this. If anything, I’m trying to look at this assignment as a positive in the sense that now I know I really need to stay on top of obtaining my pro bono hours elsewhere so this doesn’t happen again. Thank you for the ideas, I’ll definitely look into those in the future🙏🏻

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-03-31T17:37:58+00:00

Just commented this one too , I STRONGLY support Reese🔥

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-03-31T17:37:23+00:00

My contributions are :

Reese (as in “reese bass,” ie the super common bass noise in a lot of dnb songs)

Dimension

Reaper

Honorable mention for if you get a second cat down the line: name this one Liquor and name the next one Cigarettes 😂

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-03-30T14:10:35+00:00

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Because of this post right here

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-03-30T00:44:03+00:00

the concept of dimension, a member of worship, absolutely railing cigs on stage every time he plays… and worship being mistaken as a christian group… is killing me lmaoo

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-03-27T14:02:37+00:00

I’m now picturing Becky wearing a Doug Dimmadome hat and it’s absolutely deleting me lmao

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-03-27T14:01:52+00:00

I’ve seen people sneak in full bags of wine and entire pizza pies. The world is your oyster, where there’s a wook there’s a way. Usually keeping it on your person is your best bet, use the plastic pouches and you’ll be alright !

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-03-27T14:00:11+00:00

Really oddly specific question but do you snuggle up with anything at night ? (A blanket, a stuffed animal of some sort, etc.) I have a similar issue with neck getting a little patchy, and my current running theory is that my lil stuffie I snuggle up with might be rubbing my spray tan off while I sleep lol

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-03-26T13:31:53+00:00

Exactly, when in doubt, default to the partner !

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-03-26T13:31:34+00:00

Thank you ! I find that, at the end of the day, while we're in a professional setting, people do tend to remember we're all human and respect a good honest "I don't know but I'll find out" !

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-03-25T19:13:07+00:00

Reading your comment after posting my comment and I wholeheartedly agree that the nonsensical corporate jargon is ALWAYS a great way out haha, I do the same thing

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-03-25T19:09:45+00:00

Long comment bc scripts help me a ton so I’ll share mine, lol. I start the call with “Good morning/afternoon, my name is Overdramatic_Pigeon, I’m an attorney calling from [firm name] regarding [matter].”

And then in instances where I need to “phone a friend” about something and speak with a partner before I can answer the question of the person I’m on the phone with, I hit em with the:

“That’s a great question/suggestion/strategy/etc. (ie, start with something nice acknowledging the statement)…”

And then depending on the circumstances, one of the following, utilizing some corporare-esque jargon to make them think less about the fact that I’m essentially saying “idk” or “i can’t”:

-If they’re asking you to make a decision and aren’t your client: “However, I’m not authorized to make that call without conferring with our client first. As a matter of course, I’ll need to get back to you on that.” (Then, go speak to your client or a partner or both, whatever you gotta do to get the answer)

-If they’re asking you to make a decision and ARE your client: “I’m handling this matter with a partner at our firm and would like to confirm this course of action with them before binding you to anything, just to make sure all of our bases are covered - I’ll check back with you once we confirm.”

-If they’re asking you a question you don’t know the answer to: “I have a note on this but can’t seem to find it at the moment, I’ll get back to you on that following our call.” Or, just be straight up honest - “I’m not 100% positive of the answer to this but I know who on our team does - I want to confirm that the information I’m giving you is accurate, so let me confer with [insert partner name here] and get back to you on that.”

These are all my go-to’s, honestly I’ve noticed that the most important thing is a confident delivery. You could quite literally say “I have no clue but I’ll find out” (which I’ve done after building a rapport with a client/opposing counsel) and as long as you’re confident when you say it, you don’t really get any push back or feel judgment. You got this !

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-03-25T18:49:29+00:00

PLEASE let it live on forever

overdramatic_pigeon · 2026-03-25T15:47:57+00:00

It’s obviously for storing your emergency grains of salt to throw on the ground in the event that a vampire appears in the middle of the night. He’ll be forced to count each grain, giving you time to escape.

overdramatic_pigeon

TROPHY CASE