lawyer who will take pro bono cases los angeles, ca

by Mr. Michael Boehm 5 min read

Full Answer

Who is the best personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles?

West Coast Trial Lawyers is an experienced law firm committed to helping you every step of the way. Client satisfaction is our first priority and we are proud that our clients have ranked our firm as the number one personal injury law firm in Los Angeles.

How to obtain a pro bono attorney?

Pro Bono Service Providers

  • The Whitman-Walker Health Legal Services Program (WWH) Whitman-Walker Health provides free legal services to the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities in the D.C. ...
  • Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center. ...
  • Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV) LSNV is a local legal aid program for individuals unable to afford private legal counsel. ...

More items...

Do lawyers get paid for pro bono work?

Pro bono means what it means – it is Latin, meaning “for good ” (or the public good, as it is short for “pro bono publico”). An attorney who works pro bono generally does not get paid for the work on the case, not by the parties in the case.

How to write a letter to a pro bono lawyer?

  • Ran social events during orientation and led group discussions.
  • Taught alongside a professor about the fair trade coffee movement.
  • Advised freshmen on majors and courses.

How do pro bono lawyers get paid?

Usually, pro bono attorneys do not get paid. But there is the possibility that a pro bono attorney may receive some amount of compensation — or at least not lose money for taking the case. Lawyers who take pro bono cases may also receive waivers of court costs and other filing fees.

Does California have a pro bono requirement?

No, MCLE Rule 2.54 allows attorneys in California employed by the State of California or federal government to keep the MCLE exemption if they are doing pro bono work for a qualified legal services provider.

What is pro bono legal services?

Attorneys provide 24 hours per year of free legal advice to members of the public who qualify for this in terms of a means test.

What are pro bono cases?

Pro Bono comes from the Latin expression "pro bono publico" meaning "for the public good". Many lawyers provide poor and underprivileged clients with valuable legal advice and support without seeking any professional fee.

Should you work pro bono?

Why should I bother doing it? The most important reason to do pro bono work is to provide benefit to the community that might otherwise not be available. You have legal and other skills that are in short supply and are in great need. The cost of skilled legal services is very high and beyond the reach of many.

What do pro bono clinics do?

Pro Bono clinics endeavour to mirror private practice both in terms of the type of work students engage in and also the standard of work produced. The clinics invite legal enquiries from members of the public and students are assigned cases to research and advise the client upon.

What is pro Deo litigant?

Denoting legal work undertaken without charge.

What is one of the most important tasks of defense attorneys?

First and foremost, the most important job of your criminal defense attorney is to fight for you and defend you in the court of law. According to the American Bar Association, the primary responsibility of a criminal defense attorney is to advocate for their clients and defend their rights.

What is it called when a defendant represents himself?

Judges and lawyers typically refer to defendants who represent themselves with the terms "pro se" (pronounced pro say) or "pro per." Both come from Latin and essentially mean "for one's own person."

What does sustained mean in court?

To sustain means to support or maintain, especially over a long period of time; to endure or undergo. In legal contexts, to sustain may also mean to uphold a ruling (e.g., “objection sustained”). [Last updated in August of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team] courts.

Pro Bono Opportunities Directory

Attorneys interested in providing pro bono legal assistance can refer to the State Bar's Pro Bono Opportunities Directory to find programs by region.

Why volunteer for pro bono

The State Bar of California encourages attorneys to perform pro bono work in the course of their careers.

Where can I get training?

If you are an attorney, you can find free MCLE training programs via the Practising Law Institute (PLI) and the Pro Bono Training Institute . Some local legal services organizations provide training and support.

Pro Bono Practice Program

Previously called the Emeritus Attorney Pro Bono Program, the Pro Bono Practice Program offers attorneys the opportunity to contribute their legal expertise to Californians in need.

What is a criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles?

A Los Angeles criminal defense attorney can help you defend your rights and your freedom . If you cannot find legal aid and pro bono services in your area or do not qualify for their services, you may consider Los Angeles Private Practice Criminal Lawyers.

What to do if you are arrested in Los Angeles?

If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Los Angeles, it is important to reach out to an attorney who can help you navigate the process. Hiring an attorney soon after arrest (or even in anticipation of an arrest) may keep you from making mistakes that could cost you your freedom.

What is proof beyond a reasonable doubt?

Under California law, proof beyond a reasonable doubt is proof that leaves you with an “abiding conviction” that the charge is true. The evidence does not need to eliminate all possible doubt because anything is technically possible or susceptible to imaginary doubt.

Why is the government required to prove every element of its case beyond a reasonable doubt?

This means that the government is required to prove every element of its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The “reasonable doubt” standard is the highest standard in the American legal system and it is deliberately designed this way because an individual’s liberty is at stake in these cases.

Shell Gulf of Mexico, Inc., et al. v. Center for Biological Diversity, Inc., et al

We successfully defended a group of Native Alaskan and environmental advocacy groups from Shell Oil's unprecedented lawsuit. Shell filed three lawsuits against our clients, seeking... More Less

Plaintiffs v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Our victory in this class action corrected a massive injustice being inflicted upon California’s undocumented immigrants. Prior to this case, the federal government routinely arrested... More Less

In re Alejandro N

On behalf of the ACLU and other amici, we submitted a brief challenging the San Diego District Attorney’s refusal to offer juveniles the benefit of sentencing reforms made available... More Less

In re Ronald W. Ross

In this pro bono habeas corpus case we won freedom for Ronald Ross, an innocent man who had been wrongfully convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to life in prison in 2006... More Less

Caramad Conley v. State of California

In this pro bono habeas corpus case, we overturned the unconstitutional conviction of Caramad Conley, who had been wrongly sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of... More Less

John J. Tennison v. City and County of San Francisco

We pursued John Tennison’s civil rights claim against the City and County of San Francisco and the police and prosecutor responsible for Mr. Tennison’s wrongful conviction. We had... More Less

Plaintiff v. Berkeley Unified School District

We successfully defended the Berkeley Unified School District’s plan to achieve diversity against a challenge under California’s Proposition 209. Berkeley’s innovative plan considers... More Less

Get involved today!

Visit the About Us page for important information about participating in this online community (including member policy and terms of use) as well as background information regarding the sponsoring organizations of the SoCal Pro Bono Center.

Website Partners

Please contact the administrator if you have any questions or to request assistance in using this website.

Website Partners: Click on logo to link to partners websites

The SoCal Pro Bono Center is a joint project of the Southern California Pro Bono Managers & Directors, OneJustice, Pro Bono Net, the Alliance for Children's Rights, Bet Tzedek Legal Services, Disability Rights Legal Center, the LACBA AIDS Legal Services Project, the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Levitt Quinn Family Law Center, Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc, and Public Counsel..

How to contact Pro Bono?

Paper applications should be submitted to: For additional inquiries, please contact the Pro Bono List Administrator by phone at: 703-756-8020 or by email at ProBono.List.Admin@usdoj.gov.

Does EOIR endorse attorneys?

EOIR does not endorse any of these organizations, referral services, or attorneys. In addition, EOIR does not participate in, nor is it responsible for, the representation decisions or performance of these organizations, referral services, or attorneys. Federal Register (amended 8 C.F.R § 1003.61 et seq .)

Why Volunteer For Pro Bono

  • The State Bar of California encourages attorneys to perform pro bono work in the course of their careers. Offering pro bono legal services is a way for new attorneys to gain experience, and for experienced attorneys to provide assistance to those who need it the most. Legal work on matters that have been screened and referred by a qualified legal s...
See more on calbar.ca.gov

Where Can I Get Training?

  • If you are an attorney, you can find free MCLE training programs via the Practising Law Institute (PLI) and the Pro Bono Training Institute. Some local legal services organizationsprovide training and support.
See more on calbar.ca.gov

Pro Bono Practice Program

  • Previously called the Emeritus Attorney Pro Bono Program, the Pro Bono Practice Program offers attorneys the opportunity to contribute their legal expertise to Californians in need. Eligible participants who qualify can have their State Bar license fees waived. Download the application form
See more on calbar.ca.gov

Further Resources

National Pro Bono Week Celebration

Pro Bono Groups

Court Pro Bono Programs

  1. Central District of California (Los Angeles, Riverside, Santa Ana) Civil Rights Panel Limited Scope Representation Pilot Program
  2. Eastern District of California (Sacramento)
  3. Northern District of California (Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose)
  4. Southern District of California (San Diego)
See more on calbar.ca.gov

Regional Pro Bono Programs