Most legal aid offices and some bar associations have started special
pro bono panels (pro bono refers to legal for free help that private
attorneys provide as a public service). In addition, some private
attorneys are willing to reduce their fees if a client’s income is low.
The panels discussed in this section are the listings of the private
attorneys willing to offer some free or reduced-fee legal services. The
panels 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 panels 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. Lawyers who agree to handle a case for free will not charge for their services although there may be court costs and other costs associated with the case.
Eligibility & Access to Service: Many local bar associations have lists
of free legal help providers who volunteer for either reduced-fee panels or for pro bono
cases. Some have special panels for elderlaw cases. In many instances,
the local legal services programs (LSC and OAA) are part of this
network. The legal services programs identify cases of persons who
exceed financial guidelines or whose cases they are otherwise unable to
handle. The cases are then referred to pro bono or reduced-fee panels.
Since the OAA and LSC legal services programs often must first screen
the cases for the pro bono or reduced- fee attorney panels, contact with
the legal aid agency is often a good way to identify a free legal program in your
area.
Locating Local Sources: Local legal aid offices and bar associations, attorneys and lawyers
are usually listed in the yellow (under “Lawyers”) or white pages of the
telephone book. If you have any questions you can leave them in legal for free comments section of our website.
