Get Involved
Pro bono legal services are a lifeline for those who need it most. Imagine facing eviction, a custody battle, or wage garnishment with no one to turn to for help. For many, this is a harsh reality. Without the means to afford an attorney, they’re left to navigate the overwhelming legal system alone, often with devastating consequences. Pro bono lawyers step in to provide the support, guidance, and advocacy that can change lives. They ensure that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, has someone in their corner fighting for their rights and helping them find justice.
Why Volunteer?
1 / Make a Difference:
Your legal expertise can change lives. By providing free legal services to those in need, you help ensure that justice is accessible to all.
2 / Gain Experience:
Volunteering allows you to expand your legal skills and gain experience in different practice areas. Whether you’re a seasoned attorney or just starting out, VLB offers meaningful opportunities to grow professionally.
3 / Build Community:
Join a network of like-minded professionals who are committed to access to justice. Volunteering with VLB connects you with a community of passionate, driven individuals working toward a common goal.
You Can Help!
Whether you're a licensed attorney, paralegal, or law student, VLB offers a variety of volunteer options.
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Click on one of the boxes below to learn more.
One-time volunteer opportunities offering counsel & advice or document preparation
Represent a client for one specific issue at a special docket or in a negotiation
Help a client with a case from start to finish
Mentor a new volunteer, offer assistance at clinics & help desks, or teach CLEs
Clinics & Help Desks
Clinics and Help Desks offer volunteers the opportunity to participate in a one-time event where clients receive counsel and advice or brief legal services. Attorneys might advise a client on how to respond to a small claims lawsuit, help draft a will or power of attorney, or guide a client through filling out an expungement petition.
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Law students and paralegals can assist by doing intake interviews with clients, conducting research on legal issues, and preparing paperwork.
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Limited Assistance
Limited Assistance opportunities allow you to help a client resolve an issue that requires more than offering counsel and advice. This might be a special court docket where attorneys represent someone at a one-time hearing, or it might involve contacting opposing counsel and negotiating a settlement.
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Law students and paralegals can assist by doing intake interviews with clients, conducting research on legal issues, contacting clients or opposing counsel to convey information, and document preparation.
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Extended Representation
Some clients need a pro bono attorney to represent them in their case from start to finish. Volunteer lawyers handle extended representation cases just like they would any other case in their practice, but with the reassurance that there are VLB staff attorneys and volunteer mentors ready to offer assistance or advice at any time during the progression of the case.
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Attorneys who agree to take extended representation cases may also be assigned a volunteer law student who can assist with research and document preparation.
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Expert Volunteer
If you have experience in domestic relations, wills & estates, collections, bankruptcy, landlord-tenant disputes, or another area of law, VLB can put your expertise to work! New volunteers are often more comfortable taking on a pro bono case if they know someone will be on call to answer their questions. It can also be helpful to have experienced lawyers ​available at clinics or special pro bono dockets, as well as experts who are willing to lead CLEs for our volunteers.
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