On a daily basis experienced lawyers from varying fields of law take themselves away from their full time jobs and volunteer for pro bono work. In addition to representing these victims, it is not realistic to expect these experienced lawyers to independently educate themselves regarding the legal and emotional complexities facing a victim of sex trafficking. What may not be apparent to these lawyers is that each Sex Trafficking case is unique and you must be prepared to spend approximately 48-72 hours of your time when first working with the victim. Additionally, these lawyers do not fathom that these cases may last for years. It is vital to be aware of this fact before taking on these types of pro bono cases.
Building Empowerment by Stopping Trafficking has resolved the matter (hereinafter “B.E.S.T.”) and functions as your center of operations to ensure that you succeed in your pro bono efforts without being stuck in the complex Sex Trafficking case to fend for yourself. By going through the B.E.S.T. LAWS training program and taking cases as a B.E.S.T. trained lawyer, you are NEVER alone! B.E.S.T. ‘s model is unique! When you take on a case in the Sex Trafficking field as a pro bono lawyer trained through B.E.S.T., you will co-counsel with a B.E.S.T. in-house attorney at all times. It is important that you do not become overburdened and get bogged down for hours, days or years. When your career and other family obligations require your prompt attention, your B.E.S.T. in-house attorney will be there to cover for you. In addition to the B.E.S.T. in-house attorney, you will work with a B.E.S.T. Life Coach certified in working and counseling victims of Sex Trafficking. When you meet with the victim alongside the Life Coach, the attorney-client privilege extends to your communication in which the umbrella of confidentiality extends to all three parties.
Unlike a pro bono clearinghouse style volunteer, B.E.S.T. works with you at every stage of the case. Taking on a case without the proper support could work against the victim and make you devote more of your time. For instance, in taking on a case without merit — those are the ones you lose. Cases with merit are the cases that win. For this reason, B.E.S.T’s model provides the essential tools and support for the pro bono lawyer to win a case with merit! Each sex-trafficking case involves heinous and disheartening facts as to what the victims have suffered. For this reason, these cases require expertise and support due to their sensitive and complex nature. Participate in B.E.S.T. pro bono lawyers programs and work hand in hand with the experts!
B.E.S.T. understands the importance of the roles in this field. Case Managers should run the Safe Houses. The Therapists should provide the therapy, the lawyers should advocate for the victim’s rights and the Certified Coaches aid the pro bono lawyers. Also, the Certified Coaches educate the victims as to how to live a productive life and get the support they need. Not only will your pro bono efforts be more satisfying, but also your fears of working in this area will be minimized because you have a support team in place throughout your entire case.
Performing pro bono work is an expectation that comes with being a lawyer. Nevertheless, pro bono work should not cause unnecessary stress or unhappiness because the attorney becomes overworked and overwhelmed. B.E.S.T. is the solution because it has figured out how to adequately educate pro bono lawyers volunteering their time and works with the lawyer at every stage of the process. The services that B.E.S.T. offers includes free specialized training sessions, co-counseling and mentor programs where as a pro bono attorney you can work with lawyers more experienced in this field. If you want to do pro bono work in this much needed field, work with B.E.S.T. — the best match for pro bono work in the field of Sex Trafficking.
B.E.S.T. understands that for younger attorneys the ability to get experience is very difficult nowadays. B.E.S.T. understands that training can be expensive and not cost efficient unless the attorney comes back again and again. Don’t lose the tradition of pro bono because you fear the hours or the stress or the lack of training. Come through the B.E.S.T. LAWS pro bono training and be liaised with your Certified Coach for Victims of Sex Trafficking and co-counsel with our in-house B.E.S.T. lawyer. You get your very own mentor. There is a slippery slope to be aware of when working pro bono in the area of Sex Trafficking. Don’t go it alone and slip. Join B.E.S.T. LAWS because B.E.S.T. understands that you should reap the tangible rewards because you have the fortitude to help someone out in the area of Sex Trafficking. Go to the website: www.beststoptrafficking.org and fill in the contact form and sign up for B.E.S.T. LAWS Pro Bono training. B.E.S.T. has the model for pro bono to work as a principle. Training sessions are continually scheduled.
Visit B.E.S.T. for more information www.beststoptrafficking.org