Pro Bono

Texas lawyer is the top volunteer for ABA’s free online legal aid clinic

Jack Fan is a volunteer with Texas Legal Answers, part of the ABA’s Free Legal Answers virtual legal aid clinic. The service allows income-eligible clients to post civil legal questions for pro bono attorneys in their state. According to the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, which annually recognizes attorneys who provide extraordinary pro bono services through Free Legal Answers, Fan has answered more questions than any other attorney in the country. In 2018, he responded to nearly 1,100 of them.

May 1, 2019 1:30 AM CDT

Nonprofit law pioneer applauds ‘low bono’ growth

Before they were buzzwords, Luz Herrera was a pioneer in the world of "low bono" practice, nonprofit law firms and legal incubators. All three innovations have blossomed and spread across the country since then.

Apr 17, 2019 6:30 AM CDT

$150,000 grant will bolster ABA’s pro bono immigration work

The American Bar Association Board of Governors approved a one-time American Bar Endowment Opportunity Grant of $150,000 from the ABE to the Commission on Immigration. The money is expected to fund the hiring of a pro bono coordinator to manage new volunteers.

Apr 1, 2019 12:40 AM CDT

Alaska Supreme Court asks for pro bono help from around the country for earthquake survivors

On Nov. 30, Alaska residents experienced a 7.0 magnitude earthquake. While there were no casualties, there have been nearly 5,000 aftershocks since. This has resulted in ongoing damage coupled with newly discovered damage with the spring thaw, presenting disaster survivors with a host of legal needs involving insurance, contracting, housing,…

Mar 11, 2019 11:30 AM CDT

Mass shootings prompt bar associations to offer pro bono services to survivors and victims’ families

Attorneys are flocking to volunteer for bar association programs that help with probate, child custody, guardianship, victim compensation or trust matters.

Mar 1, 2019 1:40 AM CST

Schiff Hardin partner and former Green Beret leads firm’s pro bono pilot program for veterans

Led by Mir Ali, Schiff Hardin lawyers in the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program have started representing veterans and their loved ones in appealing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs denials of benefits.

Mar 1, 2019 12:45 AM CST

ABA ‘will bend the moral arc towards justice,’ President Bob Carlson says

The ABA sets the gold standard for the American legal profession, ABA President Bob Carlson told the ABA House of Delegates on Monday—and it will never stop championing due process and the rule of law.

Jan 28, 2019 3:38 PM CST

Job-seeking lawyer loses age discrimination case before full 7th Circuit

A Chicago-area lawyer who challenged an experience cap in a legal job ad has lost his case before the en banc 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Chicago.

Jan 24, 2019 4:58 PM CST

New suit filed challenging Trump’s asylum requirements and Whitaker’s appointment

Two immigrants who were denied asylum because they entered the United States outside official checkpoints are among the plaintiffs in a new suit that was filed this week in Washington, D.C. The suit is a second challenge to the Trump administration’s decision to deny asylum to immigrants who cross the…

Dec 7, 2018 11:18 AM CST

Kentucky pro bono organization uses bus as mobile legal aid clinic

Kentucky’s Legal Aid of the Bluegrass recently equipped a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van with a mobile law office, including bench seating for six, as well as a desk, multiple computers, video-conferencing equipment, a printer and Wi-Fi. A sky-blue autowrap with the words Justice Bus in white runs along its sides. You don’t have to have a special license to operate the vehicle, so staff and volunteer lawyers do the driving.

Dec 1, 2018 1:05 AM CST

ABA-backed legislation will help domestic violence survivors get pro bono legal help

The Pro bono Work to Empower and Represent Act of 2018 moved through Congress with strong bipartisan support. The ABA is applauding the enactment this past fall of legislation to help survivors of domestic violence gain access to pro bono legal services.

Dec 1, 2018 1:00 AM CST

BigLaw pro bono efforts challenge Trump administration on immigration

Several major law firms are aiding or bringing court cases that challenge Trump administration immigration policies.

Nov 27, 2018 9:47 AM CST

Veterans Day and the role of volunteer lawyers

As we come together on Veterans Day to honor the sacrifices of our fellow Americans in their military service, we must not forget the many challenges that continue after their separation from active-duty service.

Nov 8, 2018 9:00 AM CST

In appearance celebrating pro bono, Justice Kagan expresses concern about views of politicized court

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan talked about the issue of a politicized court in a Q&A session with ABA President Bob Carlson at Georgetown Law on Wednesday.

Oct 25, 2018 2:28 PM CDT

Hurricane Michael survivors in Florida can call hotline for legal assistance

Hurricane Michael survivors can now call a hotline at 1-866-550-2929 to get legal help from volunteer lawyers. The hotline is a partnership of the Disaster Legal Services Program of the ABA Young Lawyers Division, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division and legal aid agencies around…

Oct 16, 2018 1:13 PM CDT