Where to find pro bono work?
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Anonymous
If you're expecting reimbursement, it's not pro bono. Pro bono cases are separate from court appointed cases. What does virtue signaling have to do with anything? Judges appoint counsel when necessary/entitled. |
Anonymous
My state bar allows us to include these in our pro bono reporting since we otherwise would not have the time to do actual pro bono. |
Anonymous
That is not true. The federal government pro bono program won an award from the DC Bar Pro Bono Center last year: https://www.dcbar.org/pro-bono/news/advocacy-justice-clinic-to-celebrate-30th-annivers |
Anonymous
| https://www.justice.gov/atj/pro-bono-program/volunteer-guide-district-columbia-northern-virginia has a good guide for DC and NoVa. Even if you aren't barred in VA, look at the rules--you might be able to do pro bono work there (many states have pro hac vice rules or rules for pro bono practice). |
Anonymous
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Thank you for doing this. Lawyers are needed now more than ever. I hope your generosity is rewarded, whether it’s personal satisfaction, or skill growth, or new connections!
Democracy Forward has been organizing lawyers to help fired feds, if that’s of interest. |
Anonymous
| Wow, as a fed employee aren't you concerned that your client ends up being trans or your case touches upon some sort of "DEI" issue that will get you fired? |
Anonymous
I can't work for Democracy Forward. I work for the federal government. I'd be suing my own client. |
Anonymous
| Off beat suggestion - try your place of worship? I know my church has several outreach missions were a pro bono attorney could make an impact. |
Anonymous
DOJ has a pro bono program that will help match fed attorneys with pro bono opportunities: https://www.justice.gov/atj/pro-bono-program/resources-federal-government-volunteers |
Anonymous
Hmmm... Just remember that there really isn't a 1st Amendment and this administration will not sign off on any pro bono unless it aligns with the administration's goals. But maybe you can get assigned to one of the big law firms that settled and have to provide Trump with pro bono hours. |
Anonymous
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DC Based Representational Opportunities: Housing and Family Law Cases Available through the DC Bar Pro Bono Center Advocacy & Justice Clinic for August/September: The Federal Government Pro Bono Program will place pro bono housing, consumer and family law cases referred by the DC Bar Pro Bono Center, which provides excellent resources, including expert mentors, training materials, reimbursement of expenses, access to its e-filing account, and more. Volunteers can work solo or with co-counsel and do not need to be members of the DC Bar, although they do need to be in the DC metro area. Paralegal assistance is also available. An orientation meeting will be held for volunteers who have committed to taking a case on Friday, August 22nd at Noon on Teams. For more information or to volunteer, contact Lara.Eilhardt@usdoj.gov. Co-Counsel Needed in Housing Case: Current counsel needs a co-counsel to assist in a nonpayment of rent case that has already progressed in pretrial proceedings. The new volunteer would join the case which has a fully briefed motion for sanctions, and be able to assist in an upcoming motion hearing and status hearing later in August. DC bar membership is not required. If interested, contact Lara.Eilhardt@usdoj.gov. Tzedek DC: Disabled Client Facing a Debt In Need of Assistance: A volunteer attorney is needed to assist a disabled client with limited income to support his family. The client has been sued for about $12.000 by a bank which has threatened to also sue him for a separate $14,000 debt. The pro bono volunteer would assist the client in navigating and settling the debt and does not need to be DC barred but should be located in the DC area. The client uses an interpreter to communicate. Tzedek DC would provide all necessary training and mentoring support during the case, which is expected to take about 15 hours total. If interested, contact Lara.Eilhardt@usdoj.gov. DC Non-Profit In Need of Employment Handbook Legal Assistance: A local peer mentoring nonprofit seeks assistance with its employee handbook. Specifically, it needs an attorney volunteer to review the employee handbook to ensure it meets all local requirements, to add a provision on employee grievances, and answer general questions about employee benefits such as health insurance. The DC Bar Pro Bono Center will provide training and mentoring. If interested, contact Lara.Eilhardt@usdoj.gov. DC Area Non-Representational Opportunities: Worker’s Rights Clinic with the Washington Lawyers Committee: Saturday, September 13th, 2025: 10am-1pm, Worker's Rights Clinic – In Person OR Virtual weekly Wednesday Worker’s Rights Clinic on Zoom, 4:30-9pm (next dates below): Volunteers help provide free legal advice on employment matters for low-wage workers at this in person or virtual clinic held by the Washington Lawyers' Committee. Attorneys may volunteer for intake (no experience required) or as attorney advisors (three years employment law experience required). Volunteers at the clinic will provide free legal advice on issues such as: Unpaid wages/Overtime, Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Illegal Termination, Unemployment, and Workers’ Compensation. The next in person Saturday clinics is September 13th, 2025, 10am-1pm at: Bread for the City, 1700 Marion Barry Ave SE, and the next virtual Wednesday evening clinics are August 13, 20, 27, September 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2025. Prospective volunteers for either the in person or virtual clinic should contact clinic@washlaw.org. Volunteer Legal Advocates Remote Civil Protection Clinics: Tuesdays, September 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 (virtual) Volunteer attorneys can provide brief advice to assist survivors of domestic violence to draft Petitions for Civil Protection Orders (CPOs), amendments to existing CPOs, and Motions to Reinstate CPOs. Supervisors at DCVLP provide volunteers with sample pleadings, training and support and will review all documents prior to filing. The clinic is conducted by phone 10:30am-3pm on Tuesdays. If interested, email Lea Sondheimer at LSondheimer@volunteerlegaladvocates.org Veterans Pro Bono Consortium Legal Advice and Referral Clinic (half day commitment) At the Veterans Pro Bono Consortium’s clinic, volunteers meet with clients virtually or in person and provide brief advice. There is a one-hour training beforehand and a mentor attorney is available during client meetings. Any federal issues are screened out. The clinic is during business hours, so requires taking some form of leave. Volunteers may be attorneys or paralegals. To register to volunteer at a particular clinic date, email Hayley Wolf at Hayley.Wolf@vetsprobono.org, or for questions about volunteering, contact Lara.Eilhardt@usdoj.gov. Legal Advice and Referral Clinic (open to all volunteers) Virtual (10AM-2:30PM EST) August 15th September 19th October 21st In-Person at DC VA Medical Center (10AM – 2:30PM EST) September 26th October 24th |
Anonymous
OP here: That is my concern about seeking pro bono opportunities through DOJ. There have been some great other suggestions in this thread. |
Anonymous
I'm pretty sure they are going to care about what kind of pro bono you might do outside of the DOJ. Trump said lawyers used pro bono to attack his policy initiatives and he's fired feds for working on anything that can be cast as "DEI" |
Anonymous
How's this relevant? |
Anonymous
If you know, you know. Clearly you don’t. Move on scrub. |