Pro Bono Attorneys
Why Pro Bono?
According to the latest justice gap report published by The Legal Services Corporation, “nearly one-half of those who did not seek legal help for one or more problems cite concerns about cost as a reason why.” Many of these people are making life decisions, representing themselves in court, or forgoing legal defenses or action because they do not have appropriate legal information.
Private attorneys have been providing civil legal services to the low-income Hampton Roads community since the 1960s. In 2023, pro bono attorneys assisted over 3,600 clients – expanding the services provided by LASEV. Pro Bono Matters!
In FY 2023-2024...
How to Help:
LASEV offers many different civil pro bono opportunities for attorneys, ranging from advice clinics to limited or extended representation to short-term transactions such as estate planning or negotiations. The time commitment will vary by case and activity. You do not need prior legal aid experience to volunteer as we will provide CLE training, mentoring and support. Pro bono work provides a rewarding way to gain experience in a different area of law or court room experience.
Why Volunteer for LASEV?
LASEV prescreens cases for merit and financial eligibility.
Pro Bono cases are covered by LASEV’s malpractice Insurance
LASEV provides free CLEs to pro bono volunteers
Benefits from training, mentoring, and diverse legal opportunities.
Support and resources provided by LASEV staff.
Pro Bono hours can be reported annually to VSB.
Pro Bono Projects
Community Clinics
Provide advice, help and brief services to community members with civil legal matters where and when they need help. These Pro Bono clinics include both telephone advice clinics and in person brief services. See our calendar below for upcoming opportunities and sign up for a clinic.
Take A Case
Represent a client pro bono on a case and help to reduce the justice gap! LASEV often have clients that need assistance that is beyond the capacity of our in-house attorneys. LASEV’s Take a Case project also provides an opportunity to handle uncontested court matters, such as uncontested divorces, uncontested guardianships, and uncontested adoptions. Through this program, LASEV Pro Bono staff carefully screen clients and gather necessary information needed to draft the court documents. We further provide support throughout the matter if needed.
Join Us In-House
Work on-site at a LASEV office, collaborating with staff on client cases or special projects. Volunteers will sign up for a schedule to be present in the office to work on client matters by providing brief phone call advice, document review and consultation, and drafting of pleadings.
- Emeritus Attorneys: When affiliated with a Qualified Legal Services Provider, such as LASEV, emeritus members can continue to practice exclusively to provide pro bono services. At LASEV, emeritus attorneys set their own schedule and balance their case load with retirement.
- Lawyer on the Line: Attorneys will contact client to advise and evaluate on matters such as uncontested divorces, estate planning, guardianships, and collections.
Lunch and Learn
Housing Expungement Grant
This project will engage volunteer attorneys to help address the eviction crisis in our service area by clearing up tenant rental and credit histories – which remove barriers to affordable housing. LASEV will provide CLE training and the volunteers will complete the petition for expungement or quality check a petition based on the information provided by LASEV. This is a limited scope representation without the need for client contact. Please see the Community Clinics to sign up or email janetj@laseva.org for more information.