Pro Bono Opportunities

The "6.1" featured in the Pro Bono Project's logo underscores the private bar's commitment to fulfilling the ideals described in Rule of Professional Conduct 6.1: "A lawyer should render pro bono publico legal services."

LAET's staff serves thousands of low-income persons, but staff cannot help everyone who needs representation. By recruiting members of the private bar to volunteer their services to LAET clients, the Pro Bono Project ensures meaningful access to the justice system for hundreds who would otherwise be turned away.

2003 Pro Bono Service

2,095 People Served (based on persons residing in client's household.)
4,138 Hours of Service (Not all volunteers reported the number of hours spent on a case.)

Some Case Studies in Pro Bono Services

Mr. and Mrs. "Smith" took on the responsibility of raising three young children born to Mr. Smith's sisters. The biological parents did not maintain contact with the children, and a court placed the children in the Smith's legal custody. That order did not affect Mr. Smith's health insurance, however, and he could not get coverage for the children unless they were adopted. A Pro Bono Program volunteer agreed to handle the adoptions, and all three children now enjoy the security of a loving family -- and health insurance.

Ms. "Brown" was involved in an automobile accident. Because she could not pay the $3,900 judgement against her, Ms. Brown's license was suspended. One of Ms. Brown's children suffers from a serious medical condition; and without a driver's license, Ms. Brown could not transport her child to scheduled medical treatment. The lawyer who volunteered to represent Ms. Brown through the Pro Bono Program negotiated a settlement that allowed Ms. Brown to recover her driver's license.

At age 81, Ms. "Jones" had managed to pay off the mortgage on her modest home, and she worried about what would happen to it when she died. Even if she could have afforded to hire a lawyer to prepare a will, Ms. Jones was not physically able to travel to a lawyer's office to sign it. The lawyer who accepted this Pro Bono Program referral volunteered to meet with Ms. Jones at her home to discuss the terms of her will and, after preparing it, returned to supervise its execution.