The Pro Bono Project

 

Our Mission

 

The Pro Bono Project’s continuing mission is to provide free, quality civil legal services to the underserved members of our community. Our work today is as important as at any time in our thirty year history.

By engaging volunteer attorneys, paralegals, law students, and private citizens to render pro bono services, The Pro Bono Project serves clients in Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, and Washington parishes who otherwise might not have access to the civil legal help they need.

With funding from private donations, grants, and other sources, The Pro Bono Project works in collaboration with other legal and social service providers to improve the quality of life for our clients and for the communities we serve.

 

Volunteering

 

Individual attorneys are the backbone of The Pro Bono Project’s work. Volunteer lawyers provide direct representation to clients in hundreds of cases every year assigned through The Project on a wide range of civil matters.

In addition to direct client representation, there are several other areas in which volunteer lawyers can support The Project. Examples include:

  • Providing assistance to and mentoring local and out-of-state attorneys working on The Pro Bono Project cases
  • Conducting legal and factual research
  • Drafting and filing pleadings
  • Staffing many of The Pro Bono Project’s clinics throughout the metro area
  • Interviewing clients and gathering facts
  • Referring clients to appropriate agencies or other legal service providers

Volunteers also help by serving on The Project’s committees for specific issues like law firm recruitment or volunteer coordination.

As part of the Volunteer Lawyer of the Day program, lawyers help assign cases and contact clients. They also make presentations on legal issues to interested groups as part of The Pro Bono Project’s mission of community outreach.

Volunteer paralegals are a mainstay of The Pro Bono Project’s activities. They assist our volunteer lawyers in the presentation of their cases, staff community clinics, and represent clients in proceedings for which a law degree is not required.

  • County(s) of Volunteer Opportunity: Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, Saint Bernard, Saint Tammany, Washington
  • Area of law: Community Development, Consumer, Debt/Credit/Bankruptcy, Disability, Elder Law, Family & Juvenile, Housing, Immigration & Naturalization, Life Planning, Nonprofit Organizations, Public Benefits
  • Malpractice insurance is provided for volunteers: Yes
  • Training Provided: Yes
  • Training Required: No
  • CLE credit for trainings: Yes
  • CLE credit for pro bono: Yes
  • Mentoring or supervision offered: Yes
  • Volunteer lawyers need to meet a caseload or hours requirement: No
  • Long Distance Opportunities: Conduct Research, Draft or Translate Legal Documents, Mentor Volunteer Lawyers
  • Volunteers may participate long-distance: Yes
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