Since 2018, The Pro Bono Project has operated the Self-Help Resource Center at Orleans Civil District Court. The public has come to appreciate and rely on Self-Help Resource Centers as a tool to expand access to justice. Pro se and self-represented litigants (SRLs) are often confused about the court process. Legal information, court forms, answers to general questions about court procedures, and referral information is provided to SRLs by our staff and volunteers.
Legal information is provided to SRLs as they navigate the court system. The Pro Bono Project works closely with the courts to assure that information is limited to preparing SRLs for what to expect as they walk through the court process. The Project and its team of volunteers identifies the paperwork SRLs need to fill out and answers basic questions.
The success of the Self-Help Resource Center is due to the overwhelming support of the legal community including local law firms and the New Orleans Bar Association’s Young Lawyers’ Section. Adopting a month, these volunteers ensure the public receives information, referrals, and access to the courts. The Pro Bono Project thanks the following firms for adopting a month at Orleans Civil District Court.
Adams and Reese
Casey Cowley & Associates
Entergy
Forman, Watkins & Krutz
Galloway Johnson
Gordon Arata
Jones Walker
King & Jurgens
New Orleans Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section
Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett
Liskow & Lewis
Pipes, Miles, Beckman
Phelps
Shell
Stone Pigman
This collaborative model fosters a strong sense of community engagement while meeting critical legal needs.