4. Pro Bono Representation and How to Find it?

Pro Bono or Pro Bono Publico refers to doing something for the public good accepting no payments. It can refer to the free services offered byNGOs, universities, hospitals, churches, etc. Apart from this, Pro Bono is a popular term in legal matters, where attorneys provide free legal services to people from low or medium-income households. In the US, lawyers have to donate 50 hours annually towards Pro Bono services.

Historically, Pro Bono gained fame after the 1770 Boston Massacre. Here, British soldiers and American Colonists fought, leading to the death of five Americans. John Adams, America's second president, offered representation to British soldiers on a Pro Bono basis. After that, by 1776, Pro Bono had become an accepted practice in the US.

Since then, US lawyers have offered Pro Bono services to US residents. However, each lawyer has a different reason to practice Pro Bono, and they range from their company's culture to building professional connections. Now, let's look at the different ways to find Pro Bono services in the US.

How to Find a Pro Bono Attorney?

There are different ways by which you can find a Pro Bono attorney in the US. Depending on your state and your case, you have to perform your research beforehand. There are chances that all the lawyers providing Pro Bono services won't be looking into your type of case. Therefore, you have to keep your options open to find the best Pro Bono attorney to help you with your situation. Now, let's look at some ways by which you can find a Pro Bono attorney in the US.

Reach Out to a Local Law School

Law schools in the US encourage their students to take up Pro Bono cases. It is a way for them to improve their skills, and the law students can do so under supervision. In the US, 39 law schools mandate that law students have to participate in Pro Bono services. According to them, law students have to complete 20 to 75 hours of Pro Bono service compulsory during their course.

The number of hours varies based on the school and the geographic location. There can be other factors that they look into while deciding the number of hours. Participating in these legal services will help law students enhance their understanding of the community. It will assist them in developing their professionalism and marketability.

Through this, they will explore different career opportunities and build their reputation. So, one of the best ways to find out legal help is through the local law school in your area. You can connect with them via a phone call or visit them directly to understand their services.

Perform Online Search

Nowadays, one of the best ways to find the best Pro Boro service providers in the US is through the Internet. Yes, there can indeed be a lot of fake or incorrect resources. But, by referring to legitimate directories or websites run by trustworthy organizations like the American Bar Association, you can discover relevant information.

However, while performing the search, be specific to receive the correct information. For instance, if you live in Arizona and need a Pro Bono lawyer to help you with family law, perform a Google or Bing search. Here, you can type¡ª Arizona Family Law Pro Bono Lawyers. You can then receive information about different Pro Bono attorneys working in the Arizona region. After that, you can connect with them and check their availability before meeting them.

Reach Out to the State or Law Bar Association

The Bar Association will be able to help you find Pro Bono representation in your locality. Hence, you may reach out to the state or law Bar Association. They can provide you with relevant information on different attorneys and law firms offering Pro Bono services. Accordingly, you can connect with them to solve your case.

Connect with Local Courthouses

Local courthouses in your locality want to complete a case as soon as possible. However, when there is a lack of representation, it can affect their functioning drastically.

Therefore, the local courthouse that looks into your case might help you find a Pro Bono attorney. It is a way to resolve your case quickly and smoothly.

Search for Pro Bono Resource Directories Online

The American Bar Association or ABA has created an online Pro Bono Resource Directory to help you find the best services in your region. Here, you can look into legal aid offices, law firms, NGOs, and law schools offering Pro Bono services.

For instance, in the American Bar Association, over 200 law schools are providing Pro Bono services. You can find information about their programs from ABA and connect with them directly to resolve your concern.

Besides, there are public interest work and state-by-state listings for Pro Bono service providers on ABA's website. Here, you can add additional filters to find information on your county and various Pro Bono services in your locality.

You can explore other relevant resources related to Pro Bono from ABA. Here, you can use the National Pro Bono Opportunities Guide to find organizations offering Pro Bono near you. You can discover information on hundreds of Pro Bono programs in US jurisdictions.

Speak with Your Religious Organization

This is one way to gather information on Pro Bono services in your locality. Your religious organization or congregation would have connections with different people, including lawyers.

By conveying your situation to your concerned congregation, you might receive help to find a lawyer with a willingness to assist you with your case. However, this is a method you can try, and there isn't any guarantee that your religious organization could connect you to a lawyer.

Nonetheless, there is no harm in seeking help through your religious organization. If they cannot help you directly, they might connect you to others or communities.