The University of Washington, Seattle University, and Gonzaga University School of Law recently launched a COVID-19 pro bono research initiative in collaboration with Foster Garvey. In this project, the questions and research needs of qualified legal service providers (QLSPs) and pro bono providers will be matched with teams of law students and pro bono legal advisors who conduct research and answer questions. If you are a lawyer, volunteer to supervise a team of law students. Law students can volunteer here. If you are a pro bono provider and have a research project, get involved here. Email Haiyun Damon-Feng, co-chair of Pro Bono at Foster Garvey, with questions for haiyun.damon-feng@foster.com. WSBA members may voluntarily declare their total pro bono hours of service during the MyWSBA.org during the licence renewal season. WSBA members can also claim continuing education credits for pro bono activities approved in mcle.WSBA.org. REJI Washington Pro Bono Equity Training Guide: Published by the Race Equity and Justice Initiative, this guide is intended for lawyers and voluntary organizations who wish to build equity and anti-bias skills by providing pro bono services. Many Washington counties have programs that can connect people with civil law issues with a pro bono attorney. Click here for a list of pro bono lawyer programs. WSBA benefits, services and programs help you provide quality legal services.

When you receive the essential support and resources, you need to provide competent and effective legal services for the profession and the public good. Qualified Legal Service Providers (QLPs) are not-for-profit legal aid organizations dedicated to serving low-income individuals. Visit our volunteer page to learn more about the benefits of volunteering with a PSQL. Visit the QLSP directory for a complete list of QLSPs in Washington. Tips and information for legal clinic volunteers Questions? PublicService@wsba.org WSBA offers all QLSPs in Washington a free online subscription to WSBA deskbooks via Fastcase for on-site research on a QLSP. This free subscription allows users to access a fully searchable version of WSBA office books online. All case citations are linked to the full text of these primary documents in the Fastcase database. Visit our Legal Research page for more information. QLSP organizations inquiring about WSBA deskbook subscriptions can send emails adamr@wsba.org. Legal Research Tools: WSBA members have free access to Fastcase, an online platform for legal research. Yes! You are likely eligible to apply for pro bono status (formerly known as emeritus status).

This is a great alternative to inactive status, as it allows you to offer pro bono legal services in your community for the same fee. The Legal Links page contains links to online legal resources, government and judicial resources, and more. You don`t have to participate in pro bono work, but it`s highly recommended and the need is great. Professional liability rule 6.1 states that “every lawyer has a professional responsibility to assist in the provision of legal services to those who cannot pay.” RPC 6.1 also states that “an attorney shall provide at least thirty (30) hours of pro bono advertising service per year.” CLEAR (Coordinated Legal Education, Advice and Referral) helps low-income Washington residents resolve civil law issues. Apply for free legal aid online or call one of the following toll-free numbers: Qualified Legal Service Providers (QSPs) are not-for-profit legal advisory organizations that meet the following criteria: The Northwest Justice Project`s YouTube channel provides legal information on a range of topics LFW is a non-profit organization founded in 1984 at the head of the Supreme Court of Washington, D.C., distribute IOLTA funds to legal aid organizations across the state. Sign up for The Brief, a newsletter to keep up to date with the latest developments in the civil legal aid community, and check out previous newsletters. Public Service List Server: Subscribe to the Public Service List to learn more about opportunities. E-Mail-publicservice@wsba.org links to a number of helpful pro bono resources can be found on our Resources page. In addition, the WSBA maintains a portfolio of approximately 20 free public service education CLEs available to QLSP staff and volunteer volunteers. To access the CLEs free of charge, please send publicservice@wsba.org an email with your bar number and the name of the PSLQ for which you work or volunteer. You can access the WSBA QLSP mailing list, a messaging forum for QLSPs from across the state, to share resources and information, coordinate together, and stay connected with WSBA.

To subscribe to the PSQL mailing list, send an email to PublicService@wsba.org. Your organization can be featured on the Washington Pro Bono Portal under www.probonowa.org, where potential volunteers can search for opportunities. To be included in the portal, contact PublicService@wsba.org. WSBA members who do not anonymously report 50 or more hours of Pro Bono Publico service will be added to the Pro Bono Publico Honor List. Honorary members are recognized in October of the following calendar year in Bar News magazine and by the Washington Supreme Court, as well as through annual WSBA volunteer promotion initiatives. Beginning with the 2021 licence year, licence fees will be waived for pro bono members who have completed at least 30 hours of pro bono service with one or more QLSPs in the previous year. During pro bono status, no other practice of the legal profession is permitted. Pro bono status is governed by Rule 3(g) of the Washington Supreme Court Rules of Admission and Practice. More information is available here. For family law matters, consider a paralegal with a limited license.

Washington is the first state in the country to offer this new low-cost legal representation option. The Washington State Bar Association is a member of the Alliance for Equal Justice, a network of Washington State organizations that work together to coordinate the strategy and delivery of civil justice to individuals and communities affected by poverty and injustice. Learn more about Allianz. Pro bono is the abbreviation of the Latin expression pro bono publico, which means “for the common good”. The term generally refers to services provided by a professional free of charge or at a lower cost. Examples of pro bono support include: Finding opportunities and services needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Use with caution: The Washington State Bar Association provides this information, related materials, links, and resources for informational purposes only. WSBA assumes no responsibility for the information provided with respect to accuracy or any other purpose. No approval is intended, and the information contained herein does not constitute legal advice or legal advice.

You are responsible for ensuring your own legal and ethical compliance. Any use of the materials contained herein does not constitute a defense against disciplinary action, malpractice claim, or other legal process. The information on this page does not modify the rules, statutes and regulations established by the federal government, the state legislature, the Supreme Court of Washington, or the laws and guidelines of the WSBA, and does not confer any additional rights. Pro Bono Washington Calendar: ProBonoWA.org is a clearinghouse for pro bono organizations and opportunities in Washington. Check the calendar to see upcoming trainings organized by pro bono organizations related to pro bono service. This is where WSBA members can make a difference! Lawyers and LLLTs in Washington have a professional responsibility to help provide legal services to those who cannot pay, and should provide at least 30 hours per year per bono utility. See RPC 6.1 and LLLT RPC 6.1. Access the free training available to you as a qualified Legal Service Provider (QSP) volunteer or participant in the Call to Duty initiative or moderate funding program. Envoyez-publicservice@wsba.org an email with your name, bar number and the name of your program/organization. Committees, bodies, bodies, councils and working groups: Bring your expertise (or your thirst for learning)! Committee service provides an opportunity to contribute to the legal community and your profession, to address issues that matter to you, and a way to connect with other members across the state. Washington urgently needs pro bono support to fill a critical gap in access to justice. More than 70 percent of low-income Washington residents have at least one civil law problem each year.

At least 76 per cent of this population did not receive legal representation, either because of a lack of resources or because they did not know how to access it. To learn more about the Civil Legal Needs Study, click here. Maybe. Washington has a limited license exemption that allows lawyers licensed in another U.S. state to be licensed. Competence to provide legal services to individuals in need when they apply and while waiting to apply to write the next Washington Bar exam, or while their application for admission by application or transfer of UBE score is pending. Please read Washington Supreme Court (APR) Admission and Practice Rule 8(c) for all restrictions and responsibilities. More information is available here. Washington Law Help provides forms, tools, and basic information on a range of legal issues. They may also provide information on how to represent yourself in court on certain legal issues. If your program meets all the criteria, submit a one-page letter to PublicService@wsba.org, along with additional documents such as program brochures or letters of recommendation. Applications can take up to two weeks to process.