VOA常速英语2014--美国免费法律援助向所需之人伸出援手（在线收听）

Concept of ‘Free Legal Help’ Gains Ground in US 美国免费法律援助向所需之人伸出援手

LOS ANGELES—

Lawyers who offer free legal help for their clients are commonly called "pro bono" lawyers.  In recent years, there has been a growing number of law firms in the United States that do pro bono work. Among the trend-setters is the city of Los Angeles.  

A 65-year-old woman, who identified herself only as Linda, says she has been fighting for a year to get guardianship of her grandnephew, Michael.

这位妇女仅有一次被人当作琳达,65岁的她一直争取自己的侄孙迈克尔1年的监护权。

“Because of the abuse that was occurring and the neglect, and I tried many times to get guardianship through the courts and to no avail.”

“因为虐待和忽视现象,我试过很多次通过法律手段获得监护，最终都无济于事。”

Then she found Bet Tzedek, an organization that provides free legal help to those who can't afford a lawyer. Bet Tzedek's staff connected Linda with pro bono lawyers from a large law firm, and they represented her. After a year of fighting, Linda won guardianship of Michael.

然后她遇到了贝特特达客,这是一个为那些负担不起律师费用之人提供免费法律援助的组织。该组织的人员在琳达与大型律师事务所的公益性服务律师之间搭起了一座联系的桥梁,最终他们代表她出庭。经过一年的法庭战斗,琳达赢得迈克尔的监护权。

免费法律援助.jpg

“I was kind of numb for a while and until I said, my goodness it happened. It finally happened. Now he's with me. Now I can go home and say to Michael, we have a home, Michael.”

“我那时感到麻木,直到我说,我的天啊，最终真的实现了。现在他和我在一起。现在我可以回家对迈克尔说,我们终于有个家了。”

A growing number of lawyers, many from prestigious law firms, offer free help for needy clients, says David Lash, of the law firm O'Melveny & Myers.

迈斯律师事务所大卫·拉什表示来自著名的律师事务所有越来越多律师为需要的客户提供免费法律援助。

“The last 10 years has seen a substantial growth in pro bono participation among lawyers.”

“过去10年无偿参与的律师们大幅增长。”

O'Melveny & Myers handles anything from corporate law to intellectual property law. It also has a robust pro bono program worldwide.

迈斯律师事务所帮助解决从企业相关法规到知识产权的任何案件。它也在进行着一个日渐茁壮的全球公益项目。

“The notion is burgeoning and growing. We're doing a lot of pro bono work through our office in London and Brussels and lawyers in our Hong Kong and Singapore and Beijing offices are getting more and more involved in pro bono pursuits.”

“这一概念正在蓬勃发展日渐成长当中。通过我们在伦敦和布鲁塞尔的办公室我们正在从事大量的无偿工作，而且香港，新加坡及北京办公室的律师们正在变得越来越参与到公益活动当中来。”

Lash spends his workday talking to the community and organizations that offer free legal help to the needy. He also reviews pro bono cases for his firm.

拉什在工作日与提供免费法律援助所需之人的社区及组织谈判。他也为自己的公司审理这些无偿案件。

His outreach efforts included a meeting with Bet Tzedek's pro bono director, Diego Cartagena. The topic: how to offer free legal help to the children coming to the United States from Central America.

他的外联工作包括会见贝特特达客的公益性服务总监迭戈·卡塔赫纳。他们所谈论的主题是:如何为从中美洲来到美国的孩子们提供免费法律援助。

“We anticipate there will be hundreds of cases involving these children coming through the next few months.”

“我们预计接下来的几个月里这些孩子到达后将会有成百上千件案子。”

After this meeting, Lash got on a conference call with lawyers and advocates in another state to give advice about legal issues with immigrants. Then, he went off to speak to a new intern about pro bono work.

这次会面后,拉什召开电话会议就移民有关的法律问题给予另一个国家的律师及支持者们建议。然后他去找一位新实习生讲解公益性服务的工作。

Lash says there are many reasons law firms offer free legal help.

拉什表示律师事务所提供免费的法律援助有很多原因。

“In order to really maintain a competitive edge, major law firms really need to have vibrant pro bono programs. They're invaluable ways to train young lawyers; they are great recruiting tools when we're all interviewing at the top law schools.”

“为了真正保持竞争优势,主要律师事务所需要充满活力的公益项目。这是训练年轻律师宝贵的途径,是我们造访所有顶尖法学院时伟大的招募工具。”

Lash says giving people access to justice is what democracy is all about.

拉什表示赋予人们获得司法权是民主的行为。

“It's a magnificent feeling to use your skills and your profession to touch somebody's life in a really profound way.”

“运用你的职业技能真正意义上改变某人的生活方式是一种高尚的感觉。”

Linda, who got custody of Michael thanks to a pro bono lawyer, agrees.

由于公益律师获得迈克尔监护权的琳达对此表示同意。

“They made us feel special. They didn't make us feel like we were basically a handout.”

“他们让我们感觉特别。他们没有让我们觉得自己基本上是被施舍。”