USA: Legal Services for Those Who Need Them Most

By Mark Etinger 

Sometimes important legal services are out of reach for the people who need them most. Unprivileged individuals are often at the greatest risk in terms of being wronged (or being sued) yet few can afford the expensive legal fees that are put forth by the best law firms. Luckily, most law firms devote a percentage of their time to “pro bono” work – which is simply a fancy Latin term for doing work for free.

Pro bono legal services involve a lot more than simply the lead attorney’s time. All the other services that go along with any case must also be donated in the name of the cause.

That can include:

· Paralegals and their billable hours

· Court reporters who must be hired to transcribe court proceedings and depositions

· Office supplies

· Legal secretaries hours and other expenses

Obviously, taking on a pro bono case is a team effort, but it is also a worthy cause that every lawyer should be proud to take part in.

Some of the most common pro bono case types include:

· Work for charitable organizations

Non-for-profit groups require a variety of legal services in order to perform their duties. Law firms may donate their time by assisting with contracts and other legal matters that help the charity operate.

· Personal injury cases

When someone from a lower socio-economic level is injured at work, or due to some form of corporate negligence, they often have no legal recourse. They could sue the offending party, but large corporations often have deep pockets when it comes to defending themselves – and consequently can outlast any individual who sues them. Law firms who work pro bono put in the hours required to fight back in cases like this, and are able to help individuals win their cases or receive valuable settlements.

· Criminal cases

Sometimes the public defender assigned to a criminal case does not have the resources or skill required to properly assist their clients. In these situations, some law firms will take on criminal defense cases where they believe the defendant may indeed be innocent. Private law firms can bring a great deal to the table for these individuals, given that many public defenders are taxed with a heavy workload that keeps them from putting too much time into any of their cases.

In addition to providing good karma in general, pro bono cases allow law firms to give back to their community. The charity work privately done by these firms can go a long way towards reversing the negative image of lawyers within our society.

Call for Volunteers

As Justice for the World is planning for a future branch in the USA, we especially welcome professional volunteers or law firms who can support us in our efforts to offer legal aid in the US. Please start by registering with us for free or contact us.