An important part of the LASC pro bono program involves referring cases to pro bono attorneys in lieu of assigning them to an LASC attorney or turning someone away due to lack of resources. If you are interested, complete our Attorney Pro Bono Interest Form, and we will follow-up directly with you!
Volunteer Resource Center (VRC):
VRC is a case referral program housed at LASC that sustains two types of volunteers: attorneys who agree to take cases on a pro bono basis and in-house volunteers who sign up for weekly shifts to handle client intake, case evaluation and referral of appropriate cases to our attorney panel. Retired attorneys, paralegals, administrative assistants, and law students can assist as in-house VRC volunteers.
The VRC addresses several areas, including some special programs:
VRC Housing Project
VRC Housing Project
Scope: Representing Tenants in Eviction Actions
Representation Includes: Municipal court hearings; settlement negotiations; motion practice; filing answers/counterclaims
Average Hours Per Case: 5-10
Anticipated Case Length: 2 weeks-9 months (depending on limited vs. full rep)
Limited Engagement Option Available
Ideal For: New Attorneys, Litigators, Corporate Counsel (Co-counseling option available)
Online Training Includes: Attorney Toolkit
VRC Consumer Project
VRC Consumer Project
Scope: Representing Consumers Sued for Credit Debt in Lawsuits Filed by Debt Buyers
Representation Includes: Motion practice; filing answers/counterclaims; written discovery; pretrial conferences; settlement negotiations
Average Hours Per Case: 5-15
Anticipated Case Length: less than 1 year
Ideal For: New Attorneys, Litigators, Corporate Counsel (Co-counseling option available)
Online Training Includes: Attorney Toolkit
Unemployment Compensation Appeal Project
Unemployment Compensation Appeal Project
Scope: Representing Clients who are Denied Unemployment Compensation or Face an Appeal by a Former Employer
Representation Includes: Administrative Phone Hearings
Average Hours Per Case: 4-6
Anticipated Case Length: Less than 2 weeks
Ideal For: New Attorneys, Litigators, Employment Attorneys, Corporate Counsel
Online Training Available
* Rural Client Option Available (Remote)*
ICAN Escrow Project (Improving Conditions and Neighborhoods)
ICAN Escrow Project (Improving Conditions and Neighborhoods)
Scope: Representing Tenants in Franklin County Escrow Actions
Representation Includes: Filing applications to deposit rent (“escrow”); mediations; motion practice and hearings; settlement negotiations
Average Hours Per Case: 10-15
Anticipated Case Length: 1-6 months
Ideal For: New Attorneys, Litigators
Online Training Available
IEP Advocacy Project
IEP Advocacy Project
Scope: Representing Children and Families navigating the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process
Representation Includes: Informal and written contact with schools; Appearance at IEP meetings; Editing IEP materials
Average Hours Per Case: 6-15
Anticipated Case Length: 3-6 months
Ideal For: Attorneys interested in child advocacy; Transactional Attorneys; New Lawyers
Online Training Provided
* Rural Client Option Available*
Chapter 7 Pro Bono Bankruptcy Project
Chapter 7 Pro Bono Bankruptcy Project
Scope: Representing Debtors Filing Ch 7 Bankruptcies in Southern District of Ohio (Marion service area also available)
Representation Includes: Petition and schedules; 341 meeting; reaffirmation agreements; fee waiver application
Average Hours Per Case: 6-10
Anticipated Case Length: 6-9 months
Limited Engagement Only
Ideal For: Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
Online Training and Document Collection Provided
* Rural Client Option Available*
Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic
Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic
Scope: Representing Individuals Involved in Tax Controversies with IRS
Representation Includes: Oral and written negotiation; offers in compromise
Average Hours Per Case: 10-20
Anticipated Case Length: 9-12 months
Ideal for: Corporate and Transactional attorneys
*Rural Client Option Available (Remote)*
Related Program: See Tax Court Calendar Call.
Seniors Referral Project
Seniors Referral Project
Scope: Preparing and Executing Simple Wills and Advance Directives
Representation Includes: Document preparation; client meetings; home visits optional
Average Hours Per Case: 2-52-5 h
Anticipated Case Length: Less than 1 month;
Ideal for: Transactional and Government Attorneys, or New Estate Planning Attorneys
*Rural Client Option Available*
Related Program: See PACO Wills clinic.
Legal Aid Referral Project (LARP) – Reduced Fee Referrals
Legal Aid Referral Project (LARP) – Reduced Fee Referrals
Scope: Representing clients in uncontested divorces, dissolutions, certain unbundled domestic matters, and Chapter 7 Bankruptcies
Fees vary based on service provided and county. Each participant is expected to take a minimum of two pro bono cases per year, but the number of reduced fee cases attorneys can accept is not limited.
* Rural Client Option Available*
