Message from the Executive Director

The Pro Bono Project joins legal aid programs around the country in considering the impact of COVID-19 on how we deliver legal services to our communities while keeping ourselves and clients safe. We have made safety a priority by choosing to meet remotely whenever possible. We continue to accept applications for legal services and are placing cases with our volunteers. The Project developed an expansive COVID-19 resource page, a self-help desk hotline for self-represented litigants to call and email, and online webinars and tutorials for clients and volunteers. These resources provide useful information to practitioners as well as the public.

The Pro Bono Project encourages those who have the time and inclination to continue to volunteer with us. As Louisiana continues to deal with the pandemic, the need for free civil legal aid grows. Your support helps thousands of under-served residents build safer, healthier, and more stable lives.

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Bankruptcy Self Help Resource Center Opens on August 7, 2020

On Friday, August 7, 2020, The Pro Bono Project, in partnership with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court - EDLA, will launch the Bankruptcy Self-Help Resource Center, a service of whereby self-represented bankruptcy filers can find helpful information and services about their bankruptcy cases. On the first Friday of each month from 9 a.m. until 12 noon, volunteers will be available via a telephone hotline (504.581.4043) and email to assist self-represented litigants with the completion of bankruptcy petitions and schedules, to help guide filers through the court’s new Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) system, and to provide referrals for attorneys or other legal resources.

“We are building upon the successful model of self-help resource centers at the state court level and applying what we learned there to federal bankruptcy court. Pre-pandemic, The Project witnessed many self-represented litigants struggle to navigate their way through consumer debt and bankruptcy issues. The pandemic’s economic consequences only will increase the need by the public for clear and concise information on how to tackle their financial struggles. We are thrilled to work with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s Judges and Clerk of Court along with the bankruptcy bar to provide the public greater understanding of the bankruptcy process,” remarks The Pro Bono Project’s Executive Director, C.C. Kahr.

Volunteers do not provide legal advice or representation, but assist visitors with legal forms, information, and referrals. This service is made possible through a generous grant of the American College of Bankruptcy Foundation.

If you are interested in volunteering for this service, please contact Managing Attorney Jesse George. We ask that volunteers have some familiarity with bankruptcy law.

Message from The Chair and Executive Director on the Covid-19 Pandemic

Since 1986, The Pro Bono Project has provided free civil legal aid to under-served members of our community. By engaging volunteer attorneys, paralegals, law students, and private citizens to render pro bono services, The Project serves clients in Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, and Washington parishes who otherwise might not have access to the civil legal aid they need. From the devastation wrought by Katrina and the BP Oil Spill to the daily legal challenges faced by seniors, children, and families, our staff and volunteers consistently rally to support our mission. The next few days and weeks certainly will present new challenges, but The Pro Bono Project is ready to address our area’s legal needs.

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2019 Justice For All Ball: Laissez les bons temps rouler

The good times will roll for The Pro Bono Project’s 31st Annual Justice For All Ball on Friday, September 20, 2019. The Justice For All Ball is The Project’s premier fundraiser where the legal community gathers to support our mission to provide free, quality civil legal services to the under-served members of our community.

In celebration of our 31st year, we are asking you to look to the next 30 years of The Pro Bono Project providing access to justice to the most needy and vulnerable of our neighbors.  The Justice For All Ball is embarking on a new beginning at a new location.  We are thrilled to announce that this year’s event will be held at Mardi Gras World’s Grand Oaks Mansion. Located on the river, the Grand Oaks mansion is an indoor venue that places attendees in the heart of Louisiana.  It features an indoor replica of a mansion – complete with columns, footbridges, oak trees, and a starlit sky. 

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Art For Justice’s Sake Continues

Today’s Tales of the Ball, Art For Justice’s Sake, tells the story of the artists, graphic designers, illustrators, and photographers who have played an essential role in the Justice For All Ball since the very beginning. This amazing group has brought the cause of justice to life through their creative talents in our invitations and original artwork. One picture sometimes is worth a thousand words.

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Kudos

Busy is as busy does, and 2018 has been a busy year for The Project and its staff. In between the big move in May, the open house in June, and getting ready for the 30th Annual Justice For All Ball since January – staff members were individually hitting some high notes! Here are just a few highlights from the year so far.

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Media Release: One Night At The Justice For All Ball

Like so many visitors to the city, there’s a story behind every adventure, and the 30th Anniversary Justice For All Ball (JFAB) is no exception. This year’s event, like New Orleans’ Tricentennial, celebrates the many people and stories, which have made The Pro Bono Project a success. Scheduled for Friday, October 5, 2018 at the Audubon Tea Room from 8:00 pm to midnight, the JFAB’s Honorary Chair, Calvin C. Fayard, Jr. offers his own story as a reminder to his colleagues what ‘volunteering’ for pro bono was like before organizations, such as The Pro Bono Project, ever existed.

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We’re Opening A New Door For Ourselves!!

After more than 15 years on Baronne Street, The Pro Bono Project is opening the door on May 1st to a new office space in The New Orleans Exchange Centre, formerly the Chevron building. We are so excited about this move and the possibilities that it opens up for The Project, its volunteers, clients, visitors, and collaborative partners.

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JFAB 2018: Rockin’ and Rollin’ in October

As the city celebrates its 300th Anniversary, it is fitting that this year's Justice For All Ball’s (JFAB) 30th Anniversary pays tribute to the French and Acadian heritage that makes New Orleans and Louisiana one of the most fun-loving places in the world.

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We’re Celebrating Twice on May 1st!!

May 1st is a special day on two fronts for The Pro Bono Project – we'll be in our new office at the New Orleans Exchange Centre, [LINK to article] and it's GiveNOLA Day!

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5 in 5 with ... CC Kahr

We're starting a new feature series that we hope you'll enjoy as a way for you to get know The Pro Bono Project's staff, Board members, volunteers and friends. We're keeping it light and fun, and invite you to think about how you might answer these same questions because one day, it might be your turn!

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The 2018 Agenda: Collaboration At The Heart of Pro Bono Legal Services

It takes many hands to open doors to access civil justice for those in need. The strong partnership between The Pro Bono Project, its staff and hundreds of volunteer lawyers, paralegals, law students, and other professional and lay volunteers is the just the beginning.

Only through collaboration with our partners in the Access to Justice community can the mission of The Project ultimately come to life. As we move forward in 2018, collaboration is at the heart of our agenda, just as it is at the heart of serving our pro bono clients.

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