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Pro Bono

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The State Bar of Texas recognizes the tremendous need for legal services for indigent Texans.  In support of ensuring access to justice for all Texans, the State Bar encourages attorneys to meet the aspirational goal of 50 hours of pro bono legal services annually.

There is an important distinction between pro bono and public service.  Pro bono service involves two necessary components:
(1) pro bono service provided by the attorney must be for a low-income individual or a group that serves low-income individuals AND
(2) pro bono service provided must involve the use of unique legal skills  that only attorneys possess.

Consider the following examples, which illustrate the distinction between pro bono and public service:
Pro Bono:  Counseling a low-income individual on an eviction matter
Public Service: Coordinating a community drive to collect clothing for low-income persons

Pro Bono: Mentoring a new attorney as they handle their first pro bono case
Public Service: Mentoring a student at a school in low-income community

Pro Bono: Serving on the board of directors of a legal aid or volunteer attorney program
Public Service: Serving on the board of directors of a non-profit theatre company

Pro bono service does not always involve direct client representation of a low-income client.  For further clarification of pro bono legal services and examples of pro bono services, see Pro Bono Frequently Asked Questions.  Attorneys who volunteer for a recognized volunteer attorney program may qualify for additional benefits. Nominate an outstanding pro bono or legal services attorney or program for an award.

The State Bar encourages attorneys to report their voluntary pro bono hours.  This information helps pro bono programs accurately quantify the amount of hours that have been donated by pro bono attorneys . If you perform 75 hours (or more) of pro bono legal services, we invite you to join the State Bar’s Pro Bono College. 

Please contact Texas Lawyers Care if you are an attorney with questions about pro bono legal services.

Resources for the Public:
The State Bar does not provide direct legal services, represent individuals in legal matters, maintain a list of pro bono attorneys, or match individuals with pro bono attorneys.  Please understand that funding for legal services is extremely limited and as a result, programs must turn away many with serious legal needs.  At most, the State Bar can offer you referrals to low-cost civil legal services agencies in your area. For a listing of legal service providers by county, see the Referral Directory for Low-Income Texans. 

If you do not qualify for legal aid, contact the Lawyer Referral Information Service at 1-800-252-9690. Through the Lawyer Referral Information Service, a person may have a thirty-minute consultation with an attorney for $20. At the end of the consultation, the attorney and individual may discuss possible representation and price structure. Please understand that the Lawyer Referral Information Service is not a pro bono or reduced-fee program.

Other helpful resources for the public include:
TexasLawHelp
Referral Directory for Low-Income Texans
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, which serves the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area and NorthWest Texas.
Lone Star Legal Aid, which serves the Houston area and East Texas.
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, which serves the Austin/ San Antonio area, El Paso area, and South Texas.