Resources
WSBA Pro Bono & Public Service Information Hub
Pro Bono & Public Service Opportunities provides helpful information about the different pro bono and public service organizations across Washington.
Pro Bono Publico Toolkit provides information on what counts as pro bono publico, how to report your service hours, and claiming pro bono service for MCLE credit.
Volunteer with a QLSP provides information on the benefits of volunteering with a QLSP.
Washington LawHelp is a guide to free civil legal services for low-income persons and seniors in Washington. The site provides legal education materials and tools that provide basic information on a number of legal problems, and in some cases, detailed instructions and forms to help individuals represent themselves in court. The site also provides information regarding free legal aid programs in Washington, including basic eligibility and contact information.
REJI Pro Bono Equity Training Guide
This guide is designed for programs working with pro bono attorneys and legal advocates in Washington State. It provides a starting point for volunteers seeking to understand and practice key concepts related to race equity and anti-bias work. The resources and companion video guides cover the role of attorneys as stewards of racial justice, the intersection of racism and poverty, strategies for addressing implicit bias and internalized racism, and mechanisms for improving client interactions through a multicultural and anti-racist approach.
The Alliance for Equal Justice is a network of Washington State organizations that work together in a collaborative way to coordinate strategy and delivery of civil legal aid to people and communities that experience poverty and injustice. AEJ is committed to identifying and dismantling all barriers that deny justice and perpetuate poverty and racial inequities. The organization envisions a society where poverty or race is not an impediment to justice, work to expand meaningful access to justice systems and work to achieve justice within the framework of the law. Its website provides standards, principles, and other resources.
The Omara Law Group has put together an extensive guide to help family members or friends in cases where a loved one is arrested, which is important to know if they are unfamiliar with the process. The guide includes information about the steps to take after the arrest, what to be aware of if your loved one has mental health issues or disabilities, if they are a minor, and much more.
Model Pro Bono Policies
Developed by the WSBA Pro Bono and Public Service Committee and approved by the WSBA Board of Governors in July 2019, the WSBA offers three model pro bono policy templates that can be accessed, customized, and adopted by your organization. Please reach out to the Pro Bono and Public Service Committee for assistance with finalizing and adopting a policy, or identifying opportunities for pro bono work for the organization’s attorneys.
Model Policies (in Word format): Law Firm (any size) | Corporate/In-House Legal Departments | Government Entities