Dorothy Easley.

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DOROTHY EASLEY, chair-elect of the Appellate Practice Section, received the section's 2008 Pro Bono Award. Easley was recognized for her efforts in coordinating and helping write the section's Pro Se Appellate Handbook, which was recently published in English, Spanish, and French Creole and is designed to aid those who cannot afford legal representation. "Estimates show half of all appellate cases involve a pro se party and are initiated in the criminal arena, where there is no right to post-conviction counsel," said Appellate Practice Section Chair Steve Brannock, who presented the award to Easley. Easley added, "Cases in the family law system often have at least one of the parties representing themselves. The pro se litigants find the handbook useful and the courts are thrilled to have it because the budget cuts have reduced the amount of time staff attorneys have to help pro se parties."