Pro Bono Net Announces Two New Board Members

PRLog (Press Release) – Oct 01, 2009 – Pro Bono Net, a leader in innovative programs that increase access to justice, is pleased to announce that David A. Heiner, Vice President & Deputy General Counsel at Microsoft, and Edward J. Walters, CEO of Fastcase, have joined its Board of Directors.

Pro Bono Net is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to justice.  Through innovative technology solutions and expertise in building and mobilizing justice networks, Pro Bono Net transforms the way legal help reaches the underserved.  Its comprehensive programs enable legal advocates to make a stronger impact, increase volunteer participation, and provide assistance directly to the public.

Heiner heads up two organizations within Microsoft’s legal corporate affairs department, its Interoperability Group and its Antitrust Group.  Before joining Microsoft in 1994, he practiced at Sullivan & Cromwell in New York.  He is a strong supporter of pro bono and other volunteer efforts within Microsoft’s legal and corporate affairs department.  His own recent pro bono efforts include work with Volunteer Advocates for Immigrant Justice to obtain asylum in two cases for immigrants from east Africa.

Walters is co-founder as well as CEO of Fastcase, an online legal research software company based in Washington, D.C.  Prior to founding Fastcase he worked at Covington & Burling in Washington and Brussels.  He worked in the White House from 1991-1993, in the Office of Media Affairs and then in the Office of Presidential Speechwriting, and has also worked as the lead account executive at an influential Washington public relations boutique.  He serves on other nonprofit boards including Democracy in Action, Friends of Telecom Without Borders and Save a Child’s Heart Foundation.

“The addition of Dave and Ed to the Board brings new and diverse leadership skills to Pro Bono Net that will enable us more effectively meet the needs of our access to justice partners,” said Mark O’Brien, Executive Director of Pro Bono Net.  “Their knowledge of the technology sector and business experience will be particularly valuable in helping us build on the early success of Pro Bono Manager, our pro bono practice management solution for law firms.”


About Pro Bono Net
Pro Bono Net is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to justice through innovative uses of technology and increased volunteer lawyer participation. Founded in 1998 with support from the Open Society Institute, Pro Bono Net has created a broad and powerful network of nonprofit legal aid providers, courts and bar associations across the United States and Canada. This network uses innovative web-based platforms—www.probono.net, www.lawhelp.org and www.lawhelpinteractive.org —to recruit and support volunteer lawyers and provide direct information and tools for self representation serving low-income communities.   For more information, please visit www.probono.net.