Pro Bono Opportunities for Attorneys, Law Students, Community Members and Others at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services.  

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give"--Winston Churchill Legal aid work makes a difference in people's lives. For examples, see "Real People: Real Cases" in "Program Reports."

How Attorneys Can Help Us

• If you or your firm want to help with disaster-related cases, contact us volunteer@slls.org or (504) 529-1000 -- ask for one of the AmeriCorps attorneys. Most of the 275,000 poor people that lived in our service area before it was struck by Hurricane Katrina are still dealing with legal problems which stand in the way of returning to their pre-storm lives.                                                                                                                          
• If you are an attorney on the Northshore in the 22nd Judicial District and you would like to volunteer, please contact Pro Bono Coordinator Cynthia M. Bordonaro at cbordonaro@slls.org or (985) 893-0076. Find out more on our St. Tammany Pro Bono page.  

• The Medical-Legal Partnership project between SLLS and the Tulane Community Health Clinic at Covenant House helps people with medical issues find legal help and helps their families find legal assistance. Volunteer attorneys are needed to work on cases that come through the system. Attorneys and law students are needed to develop training materials and to do intake work at health clinics. Other volunteers are needed to help expand the reach of the program. If interested in volunteering in any capacity, contact us volunteer@slls.org or (504) 529-1000 -- ask for one of the AmeriCorps attorneys. 

• The goal of the security deposit pro se clinic is to help tenants recover their security deposits lawfully. The clinic teaches tenants about security deposit law in Louisiana and helps them send a demand letter to the landlord and helps tenants draft small claims court pleadings. The clinic also trains tenants in courtroom etiquette and procedure. Volunteers are needed to help with intake, participate in the clinic sessions, and perform any necessary follow-up. Interested volunteers should contact us volunteer@slls.org or (504) 529-1000 -- ask for one of the AmeriCorps attorneys.

• Join our local Pro Bono Project, (504) 581-4043, and accept pro bono cases. We are a major supporter of the Project and refer many clients to them.
• Contract with us to handle cases for a reduced fee, paid for by our firm. Call Lynnette Tillis at (504) 529-1000, ext. 225 for an application or information.
• If you are a pro bono attorney, join the www.probono.net/la website and contribute helpful pleadings on poverty law issues. See news updates here.
• Let us know about important legal issues affecting the poor that come to your attention.
• Co-counsel with our attorneys on a pro bono basis.
• Train or mentor our attorneys.
• If you are a retired attorney or judge, consider volunteering at our office. (Our insurance will cover your pro bono work).
• If you handle class actions or do estate planning, you have unique opportunities to help us. Consider us as a beneficiary of any class action residual funds. Recommend us to clients who ask for your advice on charities to name in their wills or estate plans.
• Support our fundraising efforts and help us with a financial contribution. Your donations are tax deductible.
• Volunteer to write or edit client legal education material for posting on www.lawhelp.org/LA, a legal information website for the low-income.

How Law Students Can Help Us

To volunteer, contact us volunteer@slls.org or (504) 529-1000 -- ask for one of the AmeriCorps attorneys. 

• Volunteer to work at our offices or one of our clinics. Currently, we have family, consumer and eviction clinics. You may also clerk for individual attorneys. Our domestic violence project and employment law/benefits unit always need law student volunteers.  You can also help with LawHelp.org/LA.
• Do a third year law student practitioner externship through our office.
• Apply for law school foundation sponsored summer clerkships with our office.
• If you are involved with a law school clinic or other public interest work for the low-income, join the Civil Law Practice Area of www.probono.net/la. 

All Other Volunteers

To volunteer, contact us volunteer@slls.org or (504) 529-1000 -- ask for one of the AmeriCorps attorneys. 

Social Service Agencies, Nonprofits and Governments: May We Collaborate?

We are involved in numerous collaborations with other agencies, nonprofits and governments on projects that are within our legal aid mission.

If your project or grant proposal needs a legal aid component, please call us.