New Directions for Pro Bono
2017 NATIONAL MEETING OF STATE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSIONS CHAIRS Pro Bono Innovation Fund Facts The Pro Bono Innovation Fund is LSC s competitive grant program designed to encourage LSC grantees and justice partners to develop effective programs that leverage volunteer resources to serve larger numbers of low-income clients. The key goals of the program are: 1) to engage more lawyers and other volunteers in pro bono service; 2) to address critical gaps in services; and 3) to address persistent challenges and inefficiencies in the pro bono system. To date a total of $9,975,000 in direct grants has been committed to 37 different projects in 26 different states. Projects reflect the spirit of collaboration that is vital to pro bono efforts. In addition to the 37 organizations receiving direct grants through the Pro Bono Innovation Fund, nearly 40 organizations receive subgrants or contracts representing approximately 20% of Pro Bono Innovation funding. These partners include bar-sponsored volunteer lawyer programs, other legal aid organizations, community health partners, technology providers, and law schools. The support of access to justice commissions and courts has been critical to the credibility and prominence of Pro Bono Innovation Fund projects and funding applications. A number of current Pro Bono Innovation Fund projects work with access to justice commissions, courts, and self-help centers to engage pro bono resources strategically and effectively: In Virginia, Blue Ridge Legal Services is coordinating efforts with the Access to Justice Commission s Pro Bono Committee, Washington and Lee Law School, and bar leadership to develop a circuit-wide pro bono plan for the 25 th judicial circuit that is supported by the judiciary. Utah Legal Services has partnered with the Self-Help Center of the Utah State Courts, the Utah State Bar Pro Bono Committees in two districts, and Timpanogos Legal Center to create court-based legal advice helplines and virtual document preparation clinics using pro bono volunteers to serve clients in rural areas of the state. Legal Services Law Line of Vermont and Legal Action of Wisconsin are establishing same-day representation for tenants facing eviction in Vermont s Civil Division Courts and the Milwaukee Justice Center in Milwaukee County. Visit the LSC website for more information about current Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants.
Pro Bono Innovation Fund Key Stats Requested Funding vs. Available Funding $18,000,000 $16,000,000 $14,000,000 $12,000,000 $10,000,000 $8,000,000 $6,000,000 $4,000,000 $2,000,000 $- $15,496,074 $2,375,000 $12,436,822 $3,800,000 $11,850,814 $3,800,000 $14,508,519 2014 2015 2016 2017 Total Requested Total Available Average Pro Bono Innovation Fund Grant Size $400,000 $350,000 $345,455 $300,000 $250,000 $200,000 $150,000 $100,000 $50,000 $215,909 $253,333 $- 2014 2015 2016
List of Pro Bono Innovation Fund Grantees and States 2014 Projects Organization Project Grant State Amount Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles California Pro Bono $309,451 CA Subgrantees: Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, OneJustice Training Institute Colorado Legal Services Extending Metro Pro Bono $173,808 CO Clinics to Rural Clients Atlanta Legal Aid The Enhanced Services $212,837 GA Project Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. Borderless Pro Bono $158,815 IL Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Equal Access to a Fresh $158,045 MA Association Maryland Legal Aid Subgrantee: Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland Montana Legal Services Association Legal Assistance of Western New York Subgrantees: Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, Nassau/Suffolk Law Services Committee, Neighborhood Legal Services (Buffalo) Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center Start: Bankruptcy Project Joining Forces: An Integrated Pro Bono Service Delivery Project Montana Pro Bono Connect Emeritus Attorneys and Law Students In Action Project $265,464 MD $141,087 MT $314,068 NY Pro Bono Medical Legal $240,305 PA Community Project Utah Legal Services, Inc. Volunteer Attorneys $190,000 UT Subgrantee: Timpanogos Legal Center Connected to Rural Clients Northwest Justice Project Intensify Pro Bono $211,120 WA 2015 Projects Organization Project Grant State Amount Alaska Legal Services Corporation Subgrantee: University of Washington School of Law Pro Bono Training Academy $187,566 AK Bay Area Legal Aid Georgia Legal Services Program Idaho Legal Aid Services Subgrantee: Idaho Volunteer Lawyer Program Using Business Process Analysis to Increase Pro Bono Impact Pro Bono Structure and Support for a Georgia Law Practice Incubator Improving Pro Bono Opportunities Project $280,111 CA $197,813 GA $276,000 ID
LAF Subgrantee: Center for Disability and Elder Law Legal Aid Society Subgrantees: Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, Appalachian Research and Defense Fund, Kentucky Legal Aid Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Corporation Subgrantee: The Pro Bono Project Advance Directives and Property Transfers for Seniors (ADAPT) Volunteer Lawyers for Veterans Program Healthy Justice Partnership Project $239,207 IL $333,982 KY $290,520 LA Community Legal Aid, Inc. Medical-Legal Partnership $209,524 MA Legal Services of Eastern Missouri Lawyers for Entrepreneurs $160,000 MO Legal Aid of Western Missouri Adopt-A-Neighborhood $257,441 MO New Mexico Legal Aid New Mexico Volunteer $272,718 NM Lawyers for Family Justice Legal Aid of Society of Northeastern NY Closing the Gap $362,559 NY Subgrantees: Legal Assistance of Western New York, Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County Legal Services NYC Student Debt Initiaitive $346,738 NY Cleveland Legal Aid ACT 2 Project $214,566 OH Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. Circuit-Based Rural Pro Bono Model Project $171,255 VA 2016 Projects Organization Project Grant State Amount Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles Language Access Pro Bono Project $413,088 CA Subgrantee: Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Inc. Automated Pro Bono Case Referral $371,497 CA and Management Platform Neighborhood Legal Services Unlocking Unemployment: Pro $386,825 DC Program of the District of Columbia Bono Partnership to Remove Barriers to Employment Atlanta Legal Aid The Pro Bono Engagement Program $421,310 GA Iowa Legal Aid Pro Bono Revitalization Project $364,709 IA Indiana Legal Services Indiana Pro Bono Integration $325,837 IN Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Pro Bono Lawyers Advancing $286,000 MN Services Legal Services Law Line of Vermont Subgrantee: Vermont Legal Aid Virginia Legal Aid Society Legal Aid of West Virginia Legal Action of Wisconsin Subgrantee: Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, Community Advocates Wellness in Rural Areas Pro Bono Eviction Clinics $246,034 VT Building Pro Bono Capacity in a Small-City & Rural Service Area $327,899 VA School and Community Legal $279,028 WV Partnership Eviction Defense Project $377,773 WI
Law School Advisory Committee The Law School Advisory Committee of the Texas Access to Justice Commission is comprised of the deans of all ten Texas law schools. The committee meets yearly in September at the Texas Law Center in Austin. The committee s current initiatives are listed below. Pro Bono Spring Break: Law students spend spring break doing meaningful pro bono work through a legal aid program in various parts of the state. Initially held March 2013 and consisted of 3 rural projects. It expanded to urban locations as well as rural, leading to 66 students in 10 different cities working with 11 different legal aid organizations in 2015. Poverty Simulations: The Commission hosts poverty simulations in Texas law schools, immersing law students in the interactive presentation of navigating life and the legal system through the lens of a low-income family. The poverty simulations are intended to sensitize students to the difficulties faced by low-income families and how poverty itself can lead to legal issues. ATJ Internship program: We provide a $5000 stipend to up to 15 law students to work 400 hours at a legal aid organization over the summer or during the school year. We also provide a nuts and bolts orientation on ethical and professional responsibility issues that may arise during their internship, since most have not had professional responsibility class yet, plus a dose of basic instruction on behavior and work ethic expectations. Awards: Law student pro bono award and law school pro bono award given annually at the November law student induction ceremony. There is a $1000 monetary award with the law student award. Law Student Leaders Access to Justice Summit: A one- to two-day conference that brings students to Austin to learn about access to justice issues, including a poverty simulation, roundtable discussions, and a panel of pro bono providers. Law Students Making a Difference: Presentation given at law schools about how law students can serve low-income Texans while in school through pro bono opportunities, internships, and other activities. Held yearly at the invitation of the school or student organization.
ABA FREE LEGAL ANSWERS WHAT IS ABA FREE LEGAL ANSWERS? ABA Free Legal Answers allows users to pose legal questions to be answered by volunteer attorneys: Users will need to meet income eligibility guidelines Questions must be regarding civil legal matters Answers will be provided by volunteer attorneys in the users respective states Links will be provided to lawyer referral and other legal services projects for those not eligible or who need more in-depth legal representation ABA Free Legal Answers increases services to low-income populations: Allows users in rural areas to access legal resources from across the state Provision of brief advice allows legal services staff attorneys to focus on full representation Provision of brief advice can prevent larger legal crises from developing OnlineTNjustice.org the Tennessee model for ABA Free Legal Answers has, in its few years of service, received over 10,000 legal questions ABA Free Legal Answers increases pro bono opportunities: Convenient pro bono opportunity that attorneys can fit into their schedule Attorneys can log in and provide answers 24/7/365 Reaches volunteer populations with restricted time in which to provide pro bono, such as stay-at-home parents, corporate attorneys, and government attorneys The American Bar Association offers: No cost to participating states Malpractice insurance for all volunteer attorneys will be provided Web hosting will be provided A national staff person to maintain the site, manage the queue, and collect and analyze data QUESTIONS? If your state is not already participating and you are interested in learning more, contact Tali Albukerk at 312.988.5704 or abafreelegalanswers@americanbar.org. CAN I PARTICIPATE AS A PRO BONO ATTORNEY? Yes, as long as you are licensed in a participating state and in good standing. Scan the QR code below or go to abafreelegalanswers.org and click on Attorneys Volunteer Here. abafreelegalanswers.org 2016 ABA, All Rights Reserved.
DO YOU NEED HELP WITH A LEGAL QUESTION BUT YOU CAN T AFFORD A LAWYER? WE HAVE YOUR ANSWER! ABA Free Legal Answers is a website on which you can submit your questions about civil (non-criminal) legal issues and receive answers from pro bono lawyers in your state. It s EASY. Legal questions are submitted online all you need is an internet connection. It s CONVENIENT. Volunteer attorneys are able to answer your questions outside regular business hours no need to attend a clinic or visit a legal aid office. HOW MUCH DO I HAVE TO PAY? Nothing! ABA Free Legal Answers is a no cost service for low-income individuals who meet minimum income requirements. HOW DO I GET STARTED? Visit abafreelegalanswers.org. WHAT IF I DON T HAVE INTERNET ACCESS? If you do not have internet access, you can go to a public library and use it for free. WHAT IF MY ATTORNEY IS UNABLE TO ANSWER MY QUESTION ONLINE? If it appears as though your question cannot be answered online, you may be referred to a local legal service agency to assist you with your legal issue. HOW OFTEN CAN I USE THIS SERVICE? Individuals using ABA Free Legal Answers are limited to asking three legal questions per year. CAN I ASK A CRIMINAL QUESTION? No. Questions about criminal charges cannot be answered on ABA Free Legal Answers. IS IT CONFIDENTIAL? Yes. All questions asked on ABA Free Legal Answers are kept private by the attorney and site administrator. abafreelegalanswers.org 2016 ABA, All Rights Reserved.
ABA Free Legal Answers INFORMATION UPDATED 5/5/2017; SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITH SITE DEVELOPMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: TALI ALBUKERK, NATIONAL ADMINISTRATOR TALI.ALBUKERK@AMERICANBAR.ORG 312-988- 5704
What is ABA Free Legal Answers? A virtual legal advice clinic qualifying users ask their civil legal questions and approved volunteer attorneys, from the same state, answer the questions. The ABA site links to each participating individual state s clinic.
States Participating in ABA Free Legal Answers
Who Funds ABA Free Legal Answers?
Who are the Users? Residents who: Are 18 years old or older Make 250% or less of the federal poverty guidelines Have less than $6,000 in assets Are not incarcerated.
Who are the volunteers? Licensed attorneys eligible to do pro bono in their state.
The Ideal Pro Bono Opportunity For Attorneys: Convenient Discrete time commitment Malpractice insurance For Participating Jurisdictions: No cost Malpractice insurance provided Web hosting provided National administrator at the ABA
National Home Page
State Homepage
What Happens Now? Yes Moves to the User Agreement No Moves to the Other Places to Get Help page
User Agreement The user agreement must be agreed to in order to use the site. The user agreement is maintained and updated by the ABA.
Other Places To Get Help
Potential User Registration Page
Potential User Demographics
Potential User Screening
Potential User Confirmation Page
Eligible User Account Setup
Eligible Users Welcome Page
Ask a Question Page
Ask a Question Page (continued)
Attorney Registration
Attorney Agreement The Attorney must agree in order to volunteer through the site. The Attorney agreement is maintained and updated by the ABA.
Attorney Registration Page
Attorney Welcome Page
Attorney Login Page
Attorney Pro Bono Reminder
Attorney Homepage
Attorney Response to a User Question
Getting It Right You can research, consult online resources, or talk with a colleague or legal aid attorney before sending the user your answer.
Attorney Response Posted Page
Users Question Closed Page
Attorney Profile Page
Attorney Question History Page
Attorney FAQ Page
Attorney Training Resources Page
Log My Hours Page
Manage Subscriptions Page
User/Attorney Surveys First User Survey: At Close of Question Second User Survey: 30 Days After Close of Question Attorney Survey: Twice Annually
1822 Attorneys Registered 1372 1534 1569 1683 1173 525 September October November December January February March September 2016 March 2017
Questions Submitted Since Launch 2770 3629 4569 2018 1449 776 394 September October November December January February March September 2016 March 2017
How is ABA Free Legal Answers Publicized to Users?
One of Many Legal Aid Options
How is ABA Free Legal Answers Publicized to Attorneys?
Tennessee s Experience
Integration into Tennesee s legal services
How does Tennessee use tn.freelegalanswers.org? 1-844-HELP4TN (statewide free civil legal helpline) www.help4tn.org (TN s LSC statewide legal info. site) Court Clerks Legal Aid Social Service Organizations All refer people to the website.
Tennessee is the Volunteer state As of January 2017, our site had: OF ATTORNEYS WHO ANSWERED QUESTIONS 5% 5% 597 volunteers 69% of those had answered a question 5% have answered over 50 questions 69% 21% Have answered 100 questions or more Have answered more than 50-99 questions Have answered more than 10-49 questions Have answered 1-9 questions
How do our volunteers feel about the site?
How do users feel about the site?
Thank you so very much!! I am so grateful for your time and the information. This is truly a good thing you do to help those who can not afford an attorney. Thank you so much for the rapid response to my question. It removed a great deal of anxiety about this situation. I can't thank you enough for your service!
Does it cannibalize volunteers? Do attorneys give up other pro bono opportunities to ONLY do pro bono through ABA Free Legal Answers. In Tennessee, the answer is no. How do we know? Most pro bono program directors are registered with the site so they can keep up with the weekly updates. All TN legal aid programs Executive Directors sit on the site host s board they regularly see reports. In person pro bono programs can use the site when they have down time at in-person clinics.
It does acclimate new attorneys to pro bono see new pro bono attorneys in red.
Giving Good Advice? Volunteers can collaborate with others. No immediate response needed the user isn t waiting across the table. Use the resources tab to find advice in common questions territory.
Interested in hosting a clinic? Visit TALS webpage to download a how-to-guide on hosting a clinic: http://www.tals.org/clinics You can also see our: Tennessee s experience History Questions
What about other groups? BAR ASSOCIATIONS VIRTUAL LEGAL ADVICE CLINICS
Corporate Counsel In Tennessee, we targeted corporate counsel as attorneys to volunteer with the site because the site s timing flexibility really fits in with busy schedules.
Bar Associations Groups enjoying doing the clinics together so they can chat afterwards about the experience and do pro bono collaboratively.