The Pro Bono Project

The Pro Bono Project's continuing mission is to provide free, quality civil legal services to the under-served members of our community. Our work today is as important as at any time in our thirty-nine-year history. By engaging volunteer attorneys, paralegals, law students, and private citizens to render pro bono services, The Pro Bono Project serves clients in Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, and Washington parishes who otherwise might not have access to justice.

The Pro Bono Project exists to ensure that all under-served citizens of six local Louisiana parishes can find lawyers willing to donate time and civil legal experience to help them resolve civil legal problems. These issues range from family law matters and estate planning to bankruptcy and consumer debt. The Project provides free legal services in civil cases with merit (excluding emergencies, criminal cases, or civil cases that are fee-generating). We establish income eligibility by using the federal poverty level guidelines.

In addition to individual representation, The Pro Bono Project conducts legal clinics throughout the area including those devoted to successions, family law, homeless issues, consumer debt problems, and elder law. The Pro Bono Project operates self-help centers for pro se domestic litigants. Additionally, we operate a self-help center for pro se bankruptcy filers at the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

We provide assistance to over 5,000 families a year. We provide services to all walks of life - young, old, single or married.

Testimonials

Why do you support civil legal aid?

"... because access to justice shouldn't depend on the size of your paycheck."

"... because everyone deserves equal justice under the law."

"... because a just society requires that all have access to the courts."

"... because it strengthens communities, promotes efficiency in the courts, and ensures that equal justice is a reality for everyone."

"... because the law should protect everyone, not just those who can afford to access it."

"... because I recognize vulnerable individuals may be unable to protect their rights in critical situations like housing disputes, family law matters, or issues involving access to essential services."