Pro Bono Center: How To Find Pro Bono Lawyers Near Me

Pro bono legal services are free legal representation or counseling by an attorney. Law firms take on a certain number of pro bono cases per year as a standard practice. There are also pro bono centers or “legal clinics” that provide local pro bono lawyers to under-served populations. To be eligible for pro bono representation person may be required to show proof of income, verify employment or disability, and/or meet other qualifications.



Below is a list of ten pro bono centers and organizations where you can find pro bono lawyers across the country:

1. Military Pro Bono Center:

The Military Pro Bono Center provides legal services to military families and veterans. Active duty members of the military and their family members are eligible to seek civil legal counsel through this program offered by the American Bar Association.

2. American Immigration Lawyers Association:

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) offers a non-profit legal directory to connect people throughout the US with AILA pro bono attorneys.

3. Administrative Relief Resource Center:

The Administrative Relief Resource Center offers relief and legal strategies for people facing immigration issues, particularly those affected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policies.

4. National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center:

The National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center is a resource providing legal aid and criminal defense to people affected by disasters. The National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center can help people navigate disaster relief and recovery, such as housing, insurance claims, employment, and more.

5. National Domestic Violence Pro Bono Directory:

The National Domestic Violence Pro Bono Directory coordinated by the American Bar Association helps victims of intimate-partner violence.

6. Immigration Advocates: 

Immigration Advocates is a coalition of organizations dedicated to protecting the rights of immigrants. Their online Pro Bono Resource Center is mainly for attorneys, but has a wealth of information for anyone seeking to better understand immigrants’ rights. You can contact Immigration Advocates to inquire about participating attorneys in your community.

7. American Civil Liberties Union:

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) specializes in civil rights. With local branches all across the United States, reaching out to the ACLU is a good first step to connecting with a pro bono attorney who can represent you.

8. Unaccompanied Children Resource Center:

The Unaccompanied Children Resource Center provides legal support and advocacy for unaccompanied children who are in the United States alone and facing deportation. Thousands of children are sent into the US each year unaccompanied and without proper documentation. When one of these children is apprehended by Customs and Border Patrol, they are left to face immigration proceedings alone. The Unaccompanied Children Resource Center connects attorneys with families in need to represent this incredibly vulnerable population.

9. Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program:

The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program provides military veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors with free legal services. The organization also provides training for attorneys to keep them up-to-date on veterans’ rights and how to most effectively represent them.

10. Your Local Law School:

Law schools commonly have Student Practice Organizations (SPOs) where law students do volunteer pro bono work. While these students are not yet practicing attorneys, they work under the supervision of experienced lawyers. Students are eager to learn, and often are specializing in areas like human rights, immigration, prison legal assistance, and tenant rights.