Give and Take With Pro Bono
As chair of the Pro Bono Committee, I want to welcome you to a new bar year with new opportunities for pro bono work. Pro Bono service is a vital part of being a member of this wonderful profession called the law. Pro Bono does not have to be seen as a one-way street. There are so many benefits you also receive from taking some time to help at least one person a year. Pro Bono does not have to be intensive and time-consuming, but rather something you can do during a lunch break. This year, Pro Bono Week is October 25, 2026, to October 31, 2026.
Why is pro bono important, and what can I get out of it?
The NC State Bar asks each lawyer to commit to providing 50 hours of legal services to those who are unable to pay, according to Rule 6.1, which states in further detail: every lawyer should
“(a) provide a substantial majority of the (50) hours of legal services without fee or expectation of fee to:
(1) persons of limited means;
(2) charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental and educational organizations in matters that are designed primarily to address the needs of persons of limited means; or
(3) individuals, groups or organizations seeking to secure or protect civil rights, civil liberties or public rights, or charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental and educational organizations in matters in furtherance of their organizational purposes, where the payment of standard legal fees would significantly deplete the organization’s economic resources or would be otherwise inappropriate;
(b) provide any additional services through:
(1) the delivery of legal services described in paragraph (a) at a substantially reduced fee; or
(2) participation in activities for improving the law, the legal system or the legal profession.
In addition, a lawyer should voluntarily contribute financial support to organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means.”
Fun activities planned for this year
Empower Hour to clear the queue
During this event, you can answer the legal questions on the NCBA Free Legal Answers website and help someone on your own time or join us. This is an opportunity for you to take as little or as much time simply answering family law-related legal questions. There is no ongoing attorney-client relationship or any commitment or expectation to further assist beyond answering the questions. You can even pick and choose between questions you would like to answer. Dates are forthcoming for the section to be invited to participate with the group for an hour. However, if your firm would like to set up a time to have one, please let us know, and we will assist you.
Pro bono across the state
This year, we are making it easy to participate in custody clinics. With the success of our Rebuild Asheville family law clinic held earlier this year, we plan to have at least two other clinics this bar year. The first is our custody clinic that will be held in Greensboro. We are soliciting assistance with this clinic in finding locations to hold it and getting the word out when we confirm a date and location. The reason for these clinics is that many people simply cannot afford legal services that they desperately need. These include preparing divorce documents and custody complaints. These clinics will not go beyond giving advice or preparing these documents for people. It will also not focus on complex legal issues such as alimony and ED cases. These are simple documents that can be prepared within an hour. We are asking that you take a little time and assist at least one person through our clinics. We are further looking to have another clinic this year at a location near the Roanoke Rapids area if possible.
With the loss of critical funding to civil legal services, volunteering with one of those organizations would make a difference not only to the organizations but to a client that can be helped. Legal Aid of NC, Pisgah Legal Services, and Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (CCLA) are among some of the organizations you can volunteer with. Make a difference and help at least one person access services that otherwise could not have. Domestic violence cases are a big area where organizations such as these need people to help clients. Your advocacy can mean life or death for someone.
NC Lawyers On Call (4ALL)
Our final push this year is to increase the family bar presence at NC Lawyers on Call (4ALL). As the co-chair of Lawyers on Call this year, this is an event that is easy to participate in and something that I personally love. You can do this from your office, a live location or even your home. You are giving legal information in an area of law you already know. There is no commitment to the clients on the phone and once you hang up, your work is done. These are short conversations, and I would be happy to discuss any reservations you have about it.
So, join us for one or all of the events we have lined up this year and get those pro bono hours in. This is the time to get those Pro Bono hours, become a member of the Pro Bono Honor Society with 50 or more hours and get that warm feeling from knowing that you made a difference in the life of someone who needed it. We would love to hear your thoughts and ideas for future events or how to make these events more successful. Please always reach out to me regarding all your pro bono needs. Have a wonderful bar year!