Welcome.
Pro Bono Lawyers .com is dedicated to connecting people in need with attorneys and lawyers willing to do Pro Bono lawyer work.
Pro Bono Publico is Latin for “for the public good.” The term is generally used to describe professional work taken on voluntarily and without payment as a public service. Pro bono service, unlike volunteering, uses the specific skill set of professionals to provide services to those in need and who are unable to afford them.
Did you know the American Bar Association sets an ethical requirement that lawyers in the United States complete up to 50 hours of pro bono service each year? Although this goal isn’t met by all lawyers, you can still find the help you need if you know where to look.
This is the Idea behind Pro Bono Lawyers .com!
Being involved with the court system is no easy matter to deal with even for those people with the means necessary to represent themselves properly. For many of us living paycheck to paycheck, paying a lawyer for a lengthy court battle seems financially crushing or for some simply impossible.
Fortunately we are not alone, and there are resources available to help.
Pro Bono Lawyer programs
Many state bar associations put together no cost legal services for people able to prove their financial hardship or other factors including social injustice, domestic violence, chronic illness, military service, and the elderly.
Their motivation comes from their commitment of a fair and equal justice system for all peoples regardless of their ability to pay. These services strengthen our democracy and the foundation of our society.
Sliding Scale Legal Services
Even people with modest incomes may not qualify for Pro Bono Legal services. Some states have implemented sliding scale legal help for those people that make more money than is allowed to receive pro bono services, but could still be devastated financially by the costs associated with litigation. Fees are based on the client’s income and are sometimes subsidized by the state, or done out of charity.
Federal Programs
The US Government has also set aside funds to allow poverty stricken Americans the hand up they need to navigate the sometimes confusing world of law. These programs can help less fortunate Americans with non criminal cases like unlawful eviction, domestic violence, and military benefits.
Public Defenders
Have you ever heard a police officer reading an alleged criminal their rights and say “If you can’t afford an attorney one will be appointed to you?” What they are referring to is a public defender. If charged with a criminal offence, anyone regardless of race, creed, or financial ability has the right to be defended by an attorney in court. Public defenders are employees of the government and are available to anyone that qualifies under the courts guidelines.
Sometimes We Are Our Best Advocates
Some local governments have put programs in place to help people help themselves. Calling to our local county courthouses and bar associations can unveil opportunities you may not expect. In some counties there are clinics in which you can seek the advice of attorneys, facilitators that can help with finding and filing required paperwork, and law libraries that are open to the public to name a few. The help you need may be a phone call away.
Some types of cases handled by Attorneys working Pro Bono are Community Economic Development, Consumer, Child Custody, Dissolution of Marriage, Education, Elder Law, Employment, Health, Housing, Individual Rights, Juvenile, Public Benefits, Real Estate, Termination of Parental Rights, Wills, AIDS/HIV, Adoption, etc.
Pro-Bono-Lawyers.com does not give legal advice, should be considered a directory, and does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information. This site should only be one source for information on lawyers willing to work for free