Become a Pro Bono Attorney

FAQ           Why should you do pro bono?           VLAS Service Areas           Resources           Thank you

About VLAS

FAQ

Q: What does VLAS ask of its pro bono attorneys?
For your help! When you sign up you let us know the types and number of cases you are willing to take, in addition to telling us what cities and counties you are willing to take them in! You can amend these choices at any time. We greatly appreciate any and all help to provide your high quality legal services to those who could not otherwise afford them.
Q: What type of cases do pro bono attorneys take?
The most common types of cases taken by pro bono attorneys are: uncontested divorces, advanced medical directives, powers of attorneys, simple wills, guardianship cases, and GAL work with incarcerated defendants or incapacitated persons in guardianship proceedings. However, we welcome help in all areas!
Q: How long does the typical case take with VLAS?
A: Most cases can take between 2 to 10 hours. However, more frequently cases take between 2-5 hours.
Q: What do I do if I am too busy to take a case when VLAS contacts me?
A: If you are requested to accept a case, you may decline during a busy time and request that we call you back with another case at a later time.
Q: What happens if a case takes longer than I had expected?
A: Although rare, VLAS will take back any pro bono case that exceeds ten hours.
Q: What about malpractice insurance?
A: When doing pro bono work for Virginia Legal Aid Society (VLAS), you are covered under our malpractice insurance.
Q: Will VLAS provide me with any support if I need it?  
A: VLAS can help provide training, forms, substantive materials, mentorship, and even co-counseling if you request it. There are also free on-demand CLEs available to pro bono attorneys through VA CLE at http://www.vacle.org/probono
Q: If I have a client who does not pay their bill is it considered pro bono?
A: No. Virginia Rule 6.1, Comment 6 – only services for which “no fee” arrangement is established in advance counts as pro bono. You must go into the arrangement with no expectation of a fee.

Why should you do pro bono?

The Need is Great

  • Over 80% of the civil legal needs of the poor in Virginia and nationwide go unmet
  • There are presently more than 1 million people in Virginia who are living in poverty
  • 1 in 8 Virginians are eligible for free legal services from Virginia’s legal aid programs
  • There is 1 attorney for every 349 persons in Virginia
  • There are approximately 130 legal aid attorneys in Virginia
  • There is 1 legal aid attorney for every 7,237 low income persons in Virginia
  • Nationwide, 50% of the potential clients who request legal assistance from legal aid programs are turned away due to a lack of resources
  • People seeking assistance with family law cases were turned away 80% of the time
  • Funding Decreases
  • IOLTA funding is down which has resulted in a 20% loss in legal aid funding
  • There has been a 32% increase in Virginia’s poverty population in last decade

 

 

Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct

  • Rule 6.1 – every lawyer should devote 2% of his or her professional time to pro bono legal services activity
  • Approximately 40 hours per year
  • If Virginia lawyers were in compliance this would equal approximately 900,000 hours of pro bono services
  • Best available data shows lawyers are providing just 80,000 hours of pro bono services

 

Making the business case for pro bono. 

VLAS Service Areas

Please click the link below to volunteer in the service area closest to you.

» Lynchburg Area

Serves the City of Lynchburg, and the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Campbell, and Halifax

» Danville Area

Serves the Cities of Danville, Martinsville and the counties of Henry, Patrick and Pittsylvania

» Suffolk Area

Serves the Cities of Emporia, Franklin and Suffolk and the counties of Greensville, Isle of Wight, Southampton, and Sussex

» Farmville Area

Serves the counties of Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Prince Edwards, and Brunswick

Thank You

Virginia Legal Aid Society would like to thank all of the attorneys who have volunteered for this program. We would also like to thank our Pro Bono Attorneys for their continued dedication to our cause. Pro Bono Attorneys allow VLAS to serve more clients than our staff alone would be able to. We can never have too many volunteers or help too many people in need.