Pro Bono Programs
You may be able to obtain a free attorney (called a "pro bono" attorney) through the Pro Bono Project if you cannot afford to hire an attorney. The Pro Bono Project matches volunteer attorneys with litigants who need representation. Read on for more information about the Pro Bono Project and how to apply for services.
The Pro Bono Project
Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada's Pro Bono Project coordinates private attorneys who generously volunteer to provide free legal assistance to individuals who cannot afford an attorney. While the attorneys do not charge the clients their hourly rates, the clients are responsible for any costs in the case that cannot be waived.
Through the Project, pro bono attorneys provide assistance with matters including, but not limited to, divorce, custody, domestic violence, representing child victims of abuse/neglect, and consumer matters.
For more information about the Pro Bono Project, visit the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada website.
What types of assistance does the Pro Bono Project provide?
The Pro Bono Project matches private attorney volunteers with low-income individuals in need of assistance in the following areas:
- Adoption
- Appeals
- Bankruptcy
- Child Abuse/Neglect (Representing Children)
- Civil/Consumer Fraud
- Divorce/Custody
- Domestic Violence
- Gaming Work Card Denials
- Estate/Trust
- Immigration (Victims of Domestic Violence and Other Crimes)
- Non-Profit organizations
- Predatory Lending
- Real Estate Fraud
The Pro Bono Project does not provide assistance with criminal, employment discrimination, personal injury, or traffic matters.
Because of the necessary intake process and a long client waiting list the Pro Bono Project cannot provide assistance on an emergency basis.
How do I apply for services?
Residents of Clark County who meet Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada's financial guidelines are eligible for consideration for assistance through the Pro Bono Project.
If you are seeking assistance in any of the following areas, please attend one of the free legal information classes. At the end of the class, you can learn how to apply for pro bono legal representation.
- Divorce
- Paternity/Custody
- Bankruptcy
If you have a consumer problem, including but not limited to, problems with a payday loan, debt collection, car purchases, repair contracts, real estate scams, or other general civil issues, please call Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada's Consumer Hotline at (702) 386-1070, ext. 1717 (English), ext. 1730 (Spanish). A consumer advocate will return your call within 3-5 business days.
If an applicant meets the initial requirements, the applicant will be scheduled for an interview with an intake advocate. The applicant will be required to provide proof of all household income and documents related to the case.
Once all necessary intake information has been provided, the case will be considered by a review committee. The committee will determine whether or not the Pro Bono Project will assist the applicant based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, merits of the case and availability of volunteers. If the committee decides to accept the case, the applicant will then be placed on a waiting list while the Pro Bono Project begins the process of trying to match the case with an available volunteer attorney. This process typically takes between 30 and 90 days.
If the Pro Bono Project is unable to accept the case, it will advise the applicant of other available community resources.
