"Service is the rent we pay for living. It is not something to do in your spare time; it is the very purpose of life."
-Marion Wright Edelman, founder, Children's Defense Fund
Chief Justice Todd notes National Celebration of Pro Bono
Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Debra Todd has issued a letter inviting participation in the National Celebration of Pro Bono, Oct. 23-29, and highlighting Pennsylvania Free Legal Answers, a project of the PBA in collaboration with ABA Free Legal Answers.
Chief Justice Max Baer and PBA President Silberblatt ask lawyers to support pro bono
Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Max Baer joined with PBA President Jay Silberblatt to encourage all lawyers to make a commitment to provide pro bono service through direct representation and financial support and to thank those already heading the call to such service. Read the letter directed to nearly 75,000 Pennsylvania registered lawyers.
Welcome to the Pennsylvania Bar Association Pro Bono Program
Through this program, PBA members screen matters and handle cases in their areas of practice or expertise for Pennsylvania’s poor, free of charge. The PBA Pro Bono Office and Legal Services to the Public Committee coordinate the program.
For the client:
Clients in need of free legal services assistance can find help in several ways:
Visit Pennsylvania Free Legal Answers
Please check out the resources at palawhelp.org.
You can directly contact those lawyer volunteers who publicize their participation in the pro bono program in their local communities.
For the volunteer lawyer:
Check out palawhelp.org
Sign up for PA Free Legal Answers
Register on PAprobono.net
In addition to taking advantage of pro bono opportunities like PA Free Legal Answers, PAprobono.net and PAlawhelp.org, lawyers should promote access to justice in these ways:
Partner with local legal aid providers
Be concerned about the lack of access to justice
Promote access to justice as a benefit to society as a whole
Let others—friends, representatives, media—know of your concern!
Use banks that offer highest interest on IOLTA accounts and encourage others to become Platinum Leaders!
Donate to Legal Aid
County Pro Bono Map
PBA Pro Bono-Related Committees
Pro Bono Month
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN)
IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts)
Pa. Disciplinary Board Information for Attorneys Seeking to Provide Pro Bono Services
Pro Bono Awards
Extraordinary Pro Bono Service: Lawyers Making a Difference
Volunteer or Donate