Pro Bono

North Carolina order opens up pro bono opportunities to serve Hurricane Florence victims

As our concerns are with those in the path of Hurricane Michael, lawyers across America are eligible for a pro bono opportunity made possible by a recent order of the North Carolina Supreme Court. The order permits out-of-state lawyers to temporarily provide pro bono legal services to low- to moderate-income North Carolina residents affected by Hurricane Florence.

Oct 11, 2018 4:35 PM CDT

Have an innovative idea to serve community legal needs? This ABE grant program could be for you

Applications are open for the American Bar Endowment's Opportunity Grant Program, which gives one-time monetary awards to innovative legal services or research programs offered by nonprofit groups. Previous Opportunity Grant awardees include Kentucky's Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, which used the money to buy a Mercedes Sprinter van outfitted with a mobile law office, and the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which started a medical-legal partnership embedded in a diagnostic clinic for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Oct 10, 2018 6:00 AM CDT

Serving the public good: Pro Bono Celebration 2018 highlights disaster resiliency efforts

Oct. 21-27 is the 10th anniversary of the Annual National Celebration of Pro Bono—a nationwide opportunity for lawyers to honor our responsibility to the profession and our communities by volunteering to serve those who cannot afford legal services. This year’s Pro Bono Celebration will showcase disaster resiliency activities. United States Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan will serve as honorary chair.

Oct 1, 2018 2:10 AM CDT

Atlanta pro bono program expands to resolve elementary school students’ housing issues

The Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation addressed issues in an apartment complex where evictions are routine and black mold is rampant.

Oct 1, 2018 2:00 AM CDT

Legal aid program in Oklahoma is dedicated to representing moms in trouble

The group Still She Rises seeks to address criminalization and incarceration of women in Oklahoma, focusing on helping indigent mothers in northern Tulsa, a historically impoverished and underresourced community. Still She Rises began taking clients in January 2017 as the first pro bono law office in the country specifically dedicated to representing mothers involved in the criminal justice system.

Oct 1, 2018 1:45 AM CDT

Firms provide pro bono assistance to Kansas City communities

Adopt-a-Neighborhood was conceived as a way to use pro bono work to support economic development in Kansas City’s eastside neighborhoods, where homes sit vacant and most residents qualify for Legal Aid’s help.

Sep 1, 2018 2:55 AM CDT

Incoming President Robert Carlson sees expansive roles for attorneys

Robert Carlson hopes that during his term as president the ABA will carry on its work toward bringing in more members and promoting the importance of an independent judicial system. He’d also like to see continued work involving changes in legal education and bar admissions, and the promotion of wellness for lawyers and law students.

Sep 1, 2018 1:35 AM CDT

Showrunners: Couple’s friendly fundraising competition launches marathon event

Lawyers Crystal and Michael Freed organized marathons and other events to raise money for legal aid and awareness of human trafficking.

Sep 1, 2018 1:30 AM CDT

Clemency project recipient gets a smartphone—and hope

James Ledford got his first smartphone in June. It has a bit of a learning curve.

Jul 3, 2018 7:10 AM CDT

How pro bono representations lead to paid work for lawyers

Pro bono matters can lead to paid work for lawyers. Attorneys have a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay.

Jun 1, 2018 1:00 AM CDT

Has pro bono work helped you professionally?

Can pro bono pay off?

May 30, 2018 1:53 PM CDT

San Diego clinic founder helps human trafficking victims rebuild their lives

As founder and president of the Free to Thrive legal clinic in San Diego, Jamie Quient uses her networking skills to get her clients access to safe housing, drug treatment programs and job training.

May 1, 2018 12:55 AM CDT

Which lawyers spend the most time on pro bono? ABA surveyed 47,000 for the answer

Eighty-one percent of lawyers surveyed said they provided pro bono services at some point in their careers, while just over half said they provided such services in 2016, according to a survey by the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono & Public Service.

Apr 26, 2018 3:59 PM CDT

A Nigerian’s 3-year ordeal shows the importance of pro bono work

By the time it upended his life, Tunde had essentially forgotten about the online article he’d written. Submitting it for publication was one of the last things he had done before leaving his home country of Nigeria to pursue a master’s degree in America. Between dealing with his visa application,…

Mar 27, 2018 7:00 AM CDT

#MeToo movement sparks national legal response

Attorneys are on the front lines of hotlines and assistance programs that connect alleged sex assault and harassment victims with lawyers willing to take their cases.

Mar 1, 2018 2:40 AM CST