Legal Aid of North Carolina

Pro Bono Service

“Legal Aid of North Carolina provides a greatly needed service to people across our state.  I would challenge every attorney in North Carolina to use their expertise for a good cause when needed.”                   - Rebecca L. Stevens, Esq.                     Stevens and Hand, PLLC,  Cary, NC

Working in partnership with the NC Bar Association and local bar groups, Legal Aid of NC's local Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) coordinators and attorneys actively recruit, train, mentor and co-counsel with volunteer (pro bono) attorneys to help them handle the many complex and changing legal issues unique to the practice of civil poverty law.  These local partnerships, Volunteer Law Programs (VLP) help ensure access to justice for low-income families and further leverage the dollars that are invested in Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC).  Typically, pro bono attorneys are needed either for their special expertise and/or to help us with our large case load.   A private attorney who is willing to provide pro bono service can contact his/her local PAI coordinator to discuss "best fit" for pro bono service, based on the attorney's time, expertise and availability.

Sign up for pro bono service

By establishing communication with our PAI coordinators, you can let them know of your desire to perform pro bono service, your availability and your areas of expertise and/or areas that you desire to expand your expertise. 
 

• 4 LANC PAI Coordinators
   

• 4 Pro bono Sign-Up form
   

• 4 Volunteer for a case at www.ProBono.Net/NC
   

• 4 "Call 4ALL" Attorney Volunteer Sign-Up form  
       ...New "Call 4ALL" project allows attorneys to conduct
       telephone interviews with eligible (pre-screened) LANC clients.

NCBA's 4ALL Campaign

  The North Carolina Bar Association 
  initiated the annual "4ALL Campaign" in 2008
  to help make civil legal services available to
  all North Carolinians, focusing on those at
  or below the poverty level....

  NCBA's "CALL 4ALL" project provides
  attorneys the chance to  work with clients
  through monthly or weekly one-hour 
  telephone interviews to provide advice or
  discrete services to pre-screened Legal Aid of
  NC (LANC) clients....
                                                               More ...
 
        ALSO SEE:  "NC Bar Association inaugurating 'Call 4ALL' " 
 

ABA Pro Bono & Public Service Committee/Center for Pro Bono

The ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service is the national source of information, resources and assistance to support, facilitate, and expand the delivery of pro bono legal assistance.  The Standing Committee and its project, the Center for Pro Bono, encourage lawyers to do pro bono work and help them connect with opportunities that meet their needs. Such ABA programs, projects and services help pro bono programs, advocates and policymakers address the legal needs of the poor.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What types of cases can be handled pro bono?
  Potential clients for LANC offices are typically low-income persons who have legal needs in civil matters, such as credit or consumer fraud, landlord/tenant problems, child custody, domestic violence, public benefits and/or representation of victims of natural disasters.  Sometimes referrals may also be made for legal assistance that LANC staff attorneys are not allowed to handle due to funding restrictions.  Your PAI coordinator will work with you to ensure that you are comfortable with such referrals.
   
  
• Who selects the pro bono cases that are assigned to me?
  You do.  You decide when and what types of cases you will accept.  Your local LANC office's PAI coordinator seeks to find the best fit for each pro bono attorney, based the the attorney's time, expertise and availability.  Your pro bono case might include assuming full responsibility for a client's case, co-counseling and/or consultations with LANC attorneys.  You might also want to volunteer for other types of pro bono service.  Your participation as a pro bono attorney will be greatly appreciated!
   
• What types of pro bono service does LANC need?
  Opportunities abound for pro bono service at Legal Aid of North Carolina.  In your discussions with your local LANC office's PAI coordinator, please be creative regarding the types of services you and/or your firm may be able to provide.  Types of pro bono service might include:
  
      * Assume responsibility for a client case.
      * Serve as co-counsel for a client case.
      * Serve with a team of attorneys on a community project.
      * Provide consulting advice to LANC attorneys in your
        specialty area.
      * Encourage your law firm staff to perform pro bono
        service.
      * Encourage your law firm to provide a full-time,
        "loaned" staff attorney to a LANC office for six months
        or more.
      * Serve on a LANC advisory committee.
      * Serve on a local bar pro bono committee.
      * Provide leadership for a new pro bono project for
         Legal Aid of North Carolina.
   

• What's in it (pro bono service) for me?
      * Increased knowledge of practice area;
      * Broadening of legal knowledge and skills;
      * Improved standing in the legal community;
      * Acquisition of practical experience (particularly for
        new attorneys); and/or
      * Adherence to the "Rules of Professional Conduct."
   
• How do I make a financial donation?
  Legal Aid of North Carolina can now take donations online with your credit card.  Alternatively you may prefer to phone or mail-in your donation.  Learn about the many ways you can give...
   
          _________________________________________________

Your participation as a pro bono attorney is greatly appreciated!

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