“Charity is no substitute for justice withheld”
-Saint Augustine
Pro Bono Opportunities
The Process
For every low income individual who receives legal assistance in Sarasota and Manatee counties, many more are turned away because of a severe lack of resources. Nationwide, only 20 percent of low-income people who need legal help get it. The need is huge, the demand is great and the funding is dwindling every year. This is why we rely on you. You have offered to provide pro bono services and we could not reach as many people as we do without your help.
What is Pro Bono?
Legal Services provided for free to the poor or to nonprofit organizations that serve the community’s disadvantaged.
What are the benefits of Pro Bono Service?
- Provides the practitioner an opportunity to expand or sharpen their legal skills
- Provide free CLE training
- We cover your professional liability insurance when you take one of our cases
- You receive recognition from your peers, the community at large and the judiciary
- You promote a favorable impression of the legal profession
- Provides networking opportunities within the legal profession
- Creates new business marketing opportunity
- The satisfaction of knowing you changed a life by helping the less fortunate – trust us, you’ll feel good!
FAQs
How do I join the Pro Bono Program?
How much time is required?
Do you cover my professional liability insurance?
What kind of cases can I expect?
We also provide free CLE’s and/or mentors to those of you who would like to volunteer in an area that is outside your normal scope of practice.
How does the program work?
You can also review potential cases posted on the website. Here you will be able to see all the cases that are currently awaiting pro bono placement. In addition to client information, there will be a short description on the facts of each case.
How much paperwork is involved?
What kind of issues do I need to inform Legal Aid about?
What if I am a retired attorney?
Volunteer Opportunities
Legal Aid is a great place to gain first-hand experience in the legal field while supporting an important mission. We offer a number of diverse volunteer opportunities that are rewarding.
Paralegal Assistance
To apply to be a volunteer paralegal or for an internship opportunity, please complete the volunteer form and send with a letter of interest and a resume to clarewj@legalaidofmanasota.org.
FAX: (941) 364-8855 or mail to 1900 Main Street, #302, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Law School Externships/Internships
Other Volunteer Opportunities
To apply to be a volunteer paralegal or for an internship opportunity, please complete the volunteer form and send with a letter of interest and a resume to clarewj@legalaidofmanasota.org.
FAX: (941) 364-8855 or mail to 1900 Main Street, #302, Sarasota, FL 34236.