- Casemaker
- Directories
- Check CLE
- Public Information
- Handbook
- Member Essentials
- Programs
- Ethics
- Cornerstones of Freedom
- Communications
- Sections
- Young Lawyers Division
- Related Organizations
- Bar Meetings
- Parking Deck
- Law-Related Education
- Sponsorship/Marketing
- Vendor Directory
- Conference Center
- Storefront
About the Pro Bono Project
What is a Pro Bono/Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) Program?
In a Pro Bono/Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) Program, lawyers volunteer their time to represent individuals who cannot afford to pay for the legal services. A variety of different activities are considered Pro Bono/PAI contributions, including:
- Lawyers representing individuals who cannot afford representation.
- Lawyers providing advice at specific locations or to certain groups on a regular basis.
- Lawyers counseling the elderly at Senior Citizens Centers.
- Lawyers addressing low-income groups on legal topics.
- Lawyers offering training in legal or quasi-legal matters.
Under the leadership of an experienced attorney, the Pro Bono Project is available to assist local bar associations, individual private attorneys and community organizations in addressing the unmet civil legal needs of their communities. In addition to offering advice and technical assistance, the Project coordinates pro bono activities throughout Georgia, works with State Bar leadership on ways to increase pro bono contributions, identifies areas where pro bono programs are needed, and disseminates information. Specifically, the activities and services include:
Technical Assistance
Interested groups and individuals are encouraged to contact the project office for technical assistance in developing pro bono programs in their area. The director is available for on-site visits to assist in evaluating local needs and to probide advice with program, training, and materials design.
Court Reporters Project
The Pro Bono Project coordinates referrals to the GSRA Pro Bono Court Reporters Project, which makes free depositions available in cases handled by legal services staff or pro bono attorneys working with a recognized pro bono program.
Materials
The Pro Bono Project serves as a state clearinghouse for information on the delivery of quality legal services to the poor. We have files of information on pro bono programs and other delivery methods, such as Judicare (reduced fee compensation), compensated contractual arrangements, and lawyer referral services from programs statewide and nationally.
Pro Bono Awards
Every year, pro bono awards are conferred by the State Bar during the annual meeting in June. The H. Sol Clark Pro Bono Award goes to the attorney who has done the most to further pro bono activity and legal representation for the poor. The William B. Spann, Jr. Pro Bono Award is given to the bar association or community organization with the most active innovative pro bono program in Georgia.
Interested groups and individuals are encouraged to contact the project office for technical assistance in developing pro bono programs in their area. The director is available for on-site visits to assist in evaluating local needs and to probide advice with program, training, and materials design.
Court Reporters Project
The Pro Bono Project coordinates referrals to the GSRA Pro Bono Court Reporters Project, which makes free depositions available in cases handled by legal services staff or pro bono attorneys working with a recognized pro bono program.
Materials
The Pro Bono Project serves as a state clearinghouse for information on the delivery of quality legal services to the poor. We have files of information on pro bono programs and other delivery methods, such as Judicare (reduced fee compensation), compensated contractual arrangements, and lawyer referral services from programs statewide and nationally.
Pro Bono Awards
Every year, pro bono awards are conferred by the State Bar during the annual meeting in June. The H. Sol Clark Pro Bono Award goes to the attorney who has done the most to further pro bono activity and legal representation for the poor. The William B. Spann, Jr. Pro Bono Award is given to the bar association or community organization with the most active innovative pro bono program in Georgia.
How Do Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) and Judicare Programs Work?
In addition to overseeing pro bono (free) representation programs, the Pro Bono Project supervises and monitors payments to private attorneys on a reduced fee basis for the representation of indigents unable to afford legal counsel in civil matters. These compensated Judicare programs function in 153 Georgia counties through Gerogia Legal Services Program. There are no compensated programs in Chatham County or in the five Metro-Atlanta counties (Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett). Attorneys interested in learning more about Judicare/PAI programs should contact the program directly for specific information about the program in their county.
The Judicare/PAI Program makes the referral process beneficial for both client and attorney. Every effort is made to tailor the procedures to suit the needs of individual lawyers, whether sole practitioners or those in large firms. Referrals are made in a manner which avoids undo interruption of the panel attorney's normal schedule. To that end, volunteer attorneys will be referred only those types of cases which they have requested, at intervals which are convenient for them.
To make certain that the volunteer attorneys spend their most valuable time most productively, the following services are provided:
Screening
All Clients are screened by the staff of the local program to ensure that they are eligible for free or reduced fee legal assistance.
Case Review
All cases are reviewed prior to referral to determine whether the client has a legal problem.
Referral
When requested, the program will arrange an appointment at the time convenient to the client and the attorney, and send written confirmation of the referral to both parties.
Resources
Resource materials, as well as access to a law library and national support centers, are available to all volunteers.
Back-up Attorneys
Experienced attorneys in various specialty areas will be available and used to provide back-up assistance to volunteer attorneys.
Costs
The program provides malpractice insurance protection for each case referred.
Training
By agreeing to spend a few hours each year on pro bono or Judicare referrals, the volunteer attorney may participate without charge or for a reduced charge in continuing legal education seminars provided by Georgia Legal Services Program. (See the local PAI Coordinator for details.) Lawyers who accept three cases in a year will receive ICLE discounts.
All Clients are screened by the staff of the local program to ensure that they are eligible for free or reduced fee legal assistance.
Case Review
All cases are reviewed prior to referral to determine whether the client has a legal problem.
Referral
When requested, the program will arrange an appointment at the time convenient to the client and the attorney, and send written confirmation of the referral to both parties.
Resources
Resource materials, as well as access to a law library and national support centers, are available to all volunteers.
Back-up Attorneys
Experienced attorneys in various specialty areas will be available and used to provide back-up assistance to volunteer attorneys.
Costs
The program provides malpractice insurance protection for each case referred.
Training
By agreeing to spend a few hours each year on pro bono or Judicare referrals, the volunteer attorney may participate without charge or for a reduced charge in continuing legal education seminars provided by Georgia Legal Services Program. (See the local PAI Coordinator for details.) Lawyers who accept three cases in a year will receive ICLE discounts.
How do Pro Bono Programs Work?
Pro bono programs operate essentially the same way as Judicare programs, except that attorneys do not receive fees. Many programs will pay litigation expenses for those clients who are within their financial and substantive guidelines.
The Pro Bono Project works in guidance of the leadership of the State Bar and the Bar's Access to Justice Committee.
For More Information and to Volunteer
Please contact Michael L. Monahan, Director, or Deborah Chapman, Administrative Assistant.
E-mail: mike@gabar.org or deborahc@gabar.org