This website is NOT the equivalent of speaking with an attorney and it is possible for information gathered from the web to be incorrect or become outdated. If you have legal questions or require legal assistance, please talk with an attorney.
Revised: June 24, 2004
You have accessed the web site of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA®), a federation of member-affiliated paralegal associations. NFPA is the oldest and largest national paralegal association in the United States. Headquartered in Edmonds, WA, NFPA is a non-profit professional organization representing more than 11,000 paralegals in the United States and Canada. NFPA is the national voice and the standard for excellence for the paralegal profession through its work on the issues of regulation, ethics, and education.
NFPA also has a long-standing commitment to paralegal involvement in pro bono services. The NFPA Pro Bono Committee is chaired by the NFPA Pro Bono Coordinator and Five Region Assistant Pro Bono Coordinators. The Pro Bono Coordinator is appointed annually by the NFPA Board of Directors. The Coordinator and Assistant Coordinators are volunteers from the local NFPA member-affiliated associations who give of their time to assist NFPA and its member associations with pro bono activities.
The NFPA Pro Bono Committee has prepared this web site as a referral resource only and does not make referrals or recommendations to specific attorneys or programs. In most jurisdictions, non-attorneys are prohibited from providing legal services directly to the public. NFPA supports the state laws that prevent non-attorneys from practicing law (unauthorized practice of law statutes).
If you have a legal problem, you should have legal representation. If you have a legal issue and need assistance, you need to discuss your situation with a trained legal professional. The first place to start is your state or county bar association. All state bar associations have information available from their web site.
The information about the bar association’s programs are usually titled “Public Resources” or similar title. You can access information about how to find an attorney, specialized local programs (reduced fee programs), and other information about resolving your legal issues.
Options: Consumer:
Federal Trade Commission or Better Business Bureau;
Misc. Consumer Information (provided by Findlaw)
Options: Legal:
1) Lawyer Referral Service;
2) Reduced Fee Program;
3) Pro Bono Program;
4) Legal Services or Legal Aid Office;
5) Authorized non-attorney resources; and
6) Pro Se (representing yourself).
Federal Trade Commission or Better Business Bureau
If you have a consumer issue, you can file a complaint through the Federal Trade Commission (httt://www.ftc.gov) or the Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org). Class action issues or issues that impact multiple parties should be discussed with the U.S. Attorney in your state. You can also contact your local state or county bar association and talk with an attorney that specializes in consumer law.
Federal Trade Commission - File a Complaint (http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm). Education is a key tool to prevent consumer injury. In this section of the FTC website, you’ll find publications with advice on avoiding scams and rip-offs, as well as tips on other consumer topics. Topics include: Automobile; Credit; Diet, Health & Fitness; E-Commerce and the Internet; Energy & Environment; Franchise & Business Opportunities; Identity Theft; Investments; Privacy; Products & Services; Telephone Services; Telemarketing). Consumer news about the federal government can be accessed at: http://www.consumer.gov/.
Better Business Bureau - File a Complaint (http://complaints.bbb.org/Welcome.asp). The Better Business Bureau does not take sides in a dispute. They work to facilitate communication between the company and the consumer, to help both sides come to a satisfactory resolution to the complaint. In many cases, dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration, may be available to help resolve the dispute.
The Better Business Bureau is a system of 142 independent, local Better Business Bureaus working with businesses and consumers to resolve complaints and keep the public informed. The service areas are defined by zip and postal code and the local Better Business Bureaus are best resource to begin looking for help with questions about or complaints against businesses in their service area. To locate the local office in your area: http://lookup.bbb.org/.
There are a number of options for finding affordable legal help. Federally funded legal services programs exist in every state and there are pro bono or reduced-fee attorney panels and legal hotlines in a number of states.
1. Lawyer Referral Service
Lawyer Referral and Information Services are designed to assist persons who are able to pay normal attorney fees but who need assistance to locate appropriate legal representation. Lawyer referral programs offer two important services to the public: (1) assist with the determination of whether a problem is of a legal nature (clients are screened and referred to other service agencies when appropriate); and (2) provide an unbiased referral to an attorney who has experience in the area of law appropriate to the client's needs.
A Lawyer Referral Service is a program organized by a state or local (county) bar association. Attorneys in the area agree to participate in the program. The bar association’s Lawyer Referral Service is a voluntary option to find a local attorney that specializes in your issue, such as family law. When you contact the referral service, you will most likely be asked to state your problem briefly to an intake representative. Any information that you provide will be strictly confidential.
How the Service Works: Your call may be answered by a referral specialist who will request your name and a brief description of your problem. Based on the information you provide, you will be provided with the name and telephone number of a lawyer or lawyers in your community who have indicated a particular interest in handling your type of legal problem. The lawyer will be licensed and a member in good standing with the bar association. It will then be your responsibility to call the lawyer to schedule an appointment. If it appears that you do not need a lawyer, you will be directed to an agency that may be able to help.
The Cost: Lawyers participating in the service have agreed to provide an initial consultation of up to one-half hour either free of charge or for a minimal fee (usually $25-$35). The fee is due at the time of the consultation. This initial consultation may answer your questions and enable you to solve your problem. If it is determined that additional legal work is required, it will be your decision to continue legal services. It is suggested that you discuss the attorney's fees and the cost of any further services beyond the initial half-hour consultation during your first visit. If you decide to hire the lawyer to continue working in your behalf, you will be responsible for any additional legal fees. There is no obligation on your part or the lawyer's to go beyond the one-half hour consultation.
If you have a legal problem, you should have legal representation. The Lawyer Referral and Information Service is designed to serve anyone who can afford the services of a lawyer.
2) Reduced Fee Programs
Many bar associations have reduced fee programs where private attorneys are willing to reduce their fees if a client's income is low. Many local bar associations have lists of attorneys who provide reduced-fee assistance. The programs do not employ the attorneys but simply work to connect the attorneys willing to offer services with the clients who need them.
Cost: Reduced-fee programs provide legal help at a cost less than the fee that the private attorney "usually" charges for a case of the same type. The exact fee varies based on locale and the individual attorney's fee schedule.
Locating Local Agencies: Local legal aid offices and bar associations are usually listed in the yellow (under "Lawyers", "Lawyer Referral", "Attorneys", or "Attorney Referral") or the white pages of the telephone book.
If you are financially eligible, a Reduced-Fee service is available. Persons who have a legal problem and cannot afford a lawyer will be directed, if possible, to another public service program or human service agency for assistance
How the Service Works: After listening to your problem, the service will take your name, address and telephone number. Should you wish to apply for Reduced-Fee services, you will also be asked for financial information. Based on the information you provide, you will be given the name and telephone number of an attorney in your community with whom you can meet to discuss your problem. It will be your responsibility to contact the lawyer to make an appointment for a consultation. The service is unable to make appointments for callers.
3) Pro Bono Program
Many bar associations have a pro bono coordinator that refers authorized legal matters to members of the bar association for representation without cost. Many of the programs are funded through special grants or coordinated with the local Legal Services office. Participating attorneys provide services at no charge to completion of the case. To be eligible, income must qualify under federally regulated guidelines and your legal problem must fall under one of the areas of law which are handled by the program. Although pro bono attorneys who agree to handle a case will not charge for their services, there may be court costs and other costs associated with the case (clients may be responsible for filing fees, court costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses)..
Volunteer attorneys provide legal services for free to low-income clients, and provide much needed help for families and individuals in the areas such as family law, bankruptcy, consumer debt, tort, landlord/tenant, wills, and immigration.
Many county bar associations organize specialized legal clinics where the public can attend to seek the legal advice of an attorney or to have a formal case opened for a formal referral. Most legal clinics will most likely be open to individuals that meet the financial guidelines.
Bar Foundations: http://www.ptla.org/bf.htm
Bar Foundations and IOLTA (interest on lawyers' trust accounts) programs are the charitable arms of the legal profession. They provide substantial funding and support for legal services programs around the country.
Law School Legal Aid Programs: http://www.ptla.org/lawschool.htm
Nearly all law schools have legal aid clinics that provide free legal assistance on some issues. Most of them provide free legal assistance to low-income people.
Pro Bono Sites: http://www.ptla.org/probono.htm
Many of these organizations provide referrals to private attorneys who may be able to provide legal services for free or substantially reduced fees. Other organizations provide support for pro bono lawyers or information about pro bono services generally
Special Issue Sites:
4) Local Legal Services or Legal Aid Offices
Most jurisdictions have a local Legal Services Office or Legal Aid office. There are many variations of non-profit organizations that provide legal assistance to low-income citizens. The services provided are determined by income eligibility and the specialty area (e.g. family law, employment, disability). Most Legal Services or Legal Aid offices do not provide pro bono (free) legal service for criminal or fee-generating legal issues.
Legal Services Corporation - As defined by the Legal Services Corporation Act, Legal Services Corporation’s mission is to promote equal access to the system of justice and improve opportunities for low-income people throughout the United States by making grants for the provision of high-quality civil legal assistance to those who would be otherwise unable to afford legal counsel.
Map of Legal Services Programs: http://www.lsc.gov/fundprog.htm
Legal Services Sites: http://www.ptla.org/services.htm
Legal Services Funded Programs with web sites: http://www.lsc.gov/links.htm
Substantive Project Areas (links): http://www.lri.lsc.gov/sitepages/spa/spa_projects.htm
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Children's Assistance
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Disaster Relief Projects
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Domestic Violence Projects
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Economic Development
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Elder Assistance Projects
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Health Care Access Projects
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Housing Projects
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Projects Serving Migrant Farm workers
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Rural Delivery
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Special Delivery
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Tax Projects
The Legal Services Corporation ("Corporation") is required by law to establish maximum income levels for individuals eligible for legal assistance. The Corporation's regulations establish a maximum income level equivalent to 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Since 1982, the Department of Health and Human Services has been responsible for updating and issuing the Poverty Guidelines.
Federal Register Notice (45 C.F.R. Part 1611 Eligibility: Income Level for Individuals Eligible for Assistance - Effective: 2/18/03): http://www.lsc.gov/FOIA/frn/fr161103.htm.
Appendix A of Part 1611 - Legal Services Corporation 2003 Poverty Guideline(*)
Size of
Family
Unit |
48
Contiguous
States & DC(i) |
Alaska(ii) |
Hawaii(iii) |
| 1 |
$11,225 |
$14,013 |
$12,913 |
| 2 |
$15,150 |
$18,925 |
$17,425 |
| 3 |
$19,075 |
$23,838 |
$21,938 |
| 4 |
$23,000 |
$28,750 |
$26,450 |
| 5 |
$26,925 |
$33,663 |
$30,963 |
| 6 |
$30,850 |
$38,575 |
$35,475 |
| 7 |
$34,775 |
$43,488 |
$39,988 |
| 8 |
$38,700 |
$48,400 |
$44,500 |
- <p> /s/ Victor M. Fortuno<br> <i>Vice President for Legal Affairs, <br> General Counsel & Corporate Secretary </i><br> February 14, 2003 -
* The figures in this table represent 125% of the poverty guidelines by family size as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services.
i. For family units with more than eight members, add $3,925 for each additional member in a family.
ii. For family units with more than eight members, add $4,913 for each additional member in a family.
iii. For family units with more than eight members, add $4,513 for each additional member in a family.
5) Authorized non-attorney resources
If non-attorneys are authorized to provide legal assistance directly to the public, the first place to begin is to contact the paralegal association in your area to seek information. They will be able to provide basic information about authorized non-attorney services in your area. Another source is the telephone directory or local Better Business Bureau office.
NFPA® Pro Bono Directory
6) Pro Se
Source: Pine Tree Legal Services (http://www.ptla.org/pro-se.htm) - Pro Se means "For Yourself." It refers to people who represent themselves in court or with a non-court legal problem. There are a lot of websites that provide some pro se information. Some are good. Some are not. Some charge money for their pro se help and information. Some do not. If you have to represent yourself in court or deal with a legal problem by yourself, be careful. Even if you are going to represent yourself or try to solve your own legal problem, you might want to talk with an attorney to be sure there are no hidden legal problems.
Many local courts may have pro se resources available (for example):
Misc. Resources:
Send comments to: ProBono@paralegals.org
Prepared by Lori Thompson, Pro Bono Co-Coordinator: June 17, 2003
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