Pro Bono and Legal Aid
This page is for attorneys looking to provide pro bono legal services and for members of the public seeking low-cost or free legal services.
ELI Pro Bono Clearinghouse - In 2021 the Environmental Law Institute created the Pro Bono Clearinghouse where available attorneys, environmental law clinics and communities in need of services can connect. Attorneys are urged to register.
Capital Pro Bono (formerly Voluntary Legal Services of California), http://www.capitalprobono.org/: Volunteer here or receive help with legal issues concerning unemployment insurance benefits, bankruptcy & debt collection defense, guardianship and conservatorship, probate and small estate advice and family law.
Bar Association of San Francisco & Office of Cannabis, https://sf.gov/become-paneled-pro-bono-attorney-san-francisco-bar-association: This unique collaboration between the San Francisco County Bar Association Legal Referral and Information Service and the San Francisco Office of Cannabis offers attorney’s training so that they can assist equity applicants in becoming licensed cannabis businesses.
Legal Services of Northern California, https://lsnc.net/pro-bono-opportunities: “Given the huge demand for civil legal services in our community and Legal Services of Northern California's (LSNC) limited resources, we depend on the work of our volunteers to address what would otherwise be a large unmet need.”
Disaster Legal Services CA (DLAC), https://disasterlegalservicesca.org/: “DLAC is a coalition of organizations and law firms in Northern California working together to offer free legal services to the communities in the aftermath of natural disasters. Survivors of disasters such as wildfires face a wide variety of legal and financial needs ranging from insurance claim assistance to requests for government programs such as FEMA assistance.”
Free Legal Answers: The California Lawyers Association and the Alameda Bar Association partnered to provide this service for low-income individuals who need free legal advice, including victims of natural disasters.
Access to Justice and Civics Engagement Committee of the CLA’s Litigation Section, https://calawyers.org/initiatives/access-to-justice-a2j/public-resources/: A list of resources for those seeking legal aid, updated by the Access to Justice Initiative of the California Lawyers Association.