Pro Bono Program
Your Skills. Their Voice.
Volunteer as a Pro Bono Advocate. The work of volunteer attorneys is an important part of the effort to provide legal assistance to low-income individuals and domestic violence survivors.
The clients we serve face legal problems that affect the stability of their lives. Without our help, they would have nowhere else to turn to address their issues. The problems affecting our clients typically fall within the following substantive areas: homelessness/housing-related matters, public benefits, domestic violence, family related issues, elder law, consumer/fraud issues, bankruptcy, unemployment, and other job-related issues. Pro bono programs and volunteer attorneys play a significant role in delivering legal services in these and other areas of law.
All individuals referred for pro bono services are first screened for eligibility by MidPenn intake staff to assure compliance with all LSC rules and regulations including income, assets, citizenship, lawful status, and case type. MidPenn staff monitor the status of all pro bono referrals and are available for consultation.
Earn Continuing Legal Education Credits
MidPenn Legal Services participates in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's Pro Bono Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program. This initiative encourages attorneys to provide free legal assistance to low-income and disadvantaged community members by offering CLE credits in return. Attorneys receive 1 CLE credit for every 5 hours of pro bono work, with a maximum of 3 credits annually. As an authorized CLE provider, MidPenn reports qualifying attorneys to the PA CLE Board, which then awards the credits.
Malpractice Coverage
MidPenn provides malpractice coverage for all attorneys who undertake pro bono activities. Also, pro bono attorneys who are assigned cases can contact legal services staff to discuss cases and to have their questions answered, should they run into problems with an assigned case. MidPenn Staff also provide pleadings and other documents to pro bono attorneys should they need them.
Volunteer Opportunities
Legal Advice/Representation - Sign up to take a case. The cases referred through the Pro Bono Project are varied. You can chose the area of law where you feel you can do the most good.
Low Income Taxpayer Clinic - MidPenn's Low Income Taxpayer Clinic handles tax controversies for low income clients throughout MidPenn's service area.
