Twenty years ago, Hurricane Katrina made landfall and the levees failed.

As the water receded, the extent of the damage became clear. The disaster exposed longstanding inequities and systemic challenges that shaped the recovery process and continue to affect our region today.

Since that time, The Pro Bono Project has provided critical civil legal assistance to thousands of residents in southeast Louisiana. Our work has included supporting families through adoptions and custody matters, helping residents maintain and retain ownership of their homes, guiding self-represented litigants through the legal system, preserving wealth through wills and successions, and ensuring individuals’ decisions are respected through powers of attorney and advance directives.

This work has been made possible through the efforts of volunteer attorneys, paralegals, and students.. By donating their time and expertise, these professionals have expanded access to justice for those who could not otherwise afford legal representation. Whether advocating for families in court or assisting with the preservation of generational wealth, volunteer attorneys have been instrumental in expanding access to justice.

These efforts reflect lessons learned over the past two decades and the ongoing need for accessible legal services in our community. We are grateful to the many volunteers, partners, and supporters who have contributed to this work and made it possible.

As we mark this anniversary, we remain committed to addressing civil legal needs in southeast Louisiana and to building a stronger, more equitable future. We invite all members of our community to continue joining us in this work. Together, we can ensure that more individuals and families have access to the justice they deserve.