Volunteering
Lawyers & Paralegals
Individual attorneys are the backbone of The Pro Bono Project’s work. Volunteer lawyers provide direct representation to clients in hundreds of cases every year assigned through The Project on a wide range of civil matters.
In addition to direct client representation, there are several other areas in which volunteer lawyers can support The Project. Examples include:
Providing assistance to and mentoring local and out-of-state attorneys working on The Pro Bono Project cases
Conducting legal and factual research
Drafting and filing pleadings
Staffing many of The Pro Bono Project’s clinics throughout the metro area
Interviewing clients and gathering facts
Referring clients to appropriate agencies or other legal service providers
Volunteers also help by serving on The Project’s committees for specific issues like law firm recruitment or volunteer coordination.
As part of the Volunteer Lawyer of the Day program, lawyers help assign cases and contact clients. They also make presentations on legal issues to interested groups as part of The Pro Bono Project’s mission of community outreach.
Volunteer paralegals are a mainstay of The Pro Bono Project’s activities. They assist our volunteer lawyers in the presentation of their cases, staff community clinics, and represent clients in proceedings for which a law degree is not required.
Lawyers can register to volunteer by completing an Attorney Registration Form. Please feel free to email our Community Engagement Coordinator with any questions. Paralegals can register to volunteer here.
Law Firms
Over 40 law firms in the New Orleans represent pro bono clients through The Pro Bono Project. Each identifies a law firm liaison, who coordinates pro bono activities between the firm and The Project. Hurricane Katrina also brought many out-of-town law firms to the aid of The Project and a number of these firms continue to provide pro bono services in specialized areas of the law.
In addition, many metro area law firms support The Pro Bono Project by providing space to host out-of-state law students who come to New Orleans to do community service through The Project.
Our local partner firms also help us stage Continuing Legal Education events, fundraising events, our year-end Volunteer Appreciation Awards, and other Board and Committee-related meetings.
Law firm support is critical to the mission of The Project and we invite local and out-of-town firms alike to join us in opening the doors to justice for clients in our community who lack the resources.
For more information on volunteer opportunities for Lawyers, Paralegals and Law Firms, please call 504.581.4043 or email us.
Interested in Volunteering?
Below are several volunteer registration forms. Please select the form which most accurately describes your level of experience in the legal field. Volunteers are needed in a variety of area at The Pro Bono Project. Some volunteer opportunities are legal in nature, but many are not. We are always in need of assistance with our largest fundraiser, various outreach events, and internal administrative duties. Click on the following to register to volunteer:
CLE Registration - Email Managing Attorney for Volunteer Engagement for more information on upcoming CLE opportunities.