Law Firms are an Integral Part
of the LAFLA Mission

Law firms provide invaluable pro bono services to our clients every day. From handling major litigation, to individual attorneys staffing legal clinics, LAFLA offers a variety of pro bono cases available for placement. We match law firms with appropriate clients and issues. Experienced attorneys may wish to join our Expert Panel to provide LAFLA attorneys with guidance and advice on issues ranging from appeals to transactional matters. View welcome program overview.

Pro Bono Program Gained Momentum in 2010  

In 2010, LAFLA had its most successful year-to-date for pro bono support and representation. As you may know, our main funder the Legal Services Corporation requires LAFLA to spend 12 ½ percent of its annual grant award to create and facilitate pro bono projects. We are pleased to report that we were able to exceed our goals in 2010.

More than 800 cases were handled solely or primarily by pro bono attorneys from 30 firms, while many others were completed in partnership or with the assistance of private attorneys. This pro bono support resulted in over $10 million in free legal assistance for LAFLA’s poor and low-income clients. In summary, more than 950 volunteer attorneys, students and other community volunteers contributed more than 60,000 hours-an approximately 15 percent increase in volunteers, hours and cases from 2009.

Three of our firm partners, Latham & Watkins LLP, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP and Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, donated more than 3,000 hours of service.  Orrick, while Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP exceeded 2,000. Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, Fulbright & Jaworski, O’Melveny & Meyers LLP and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP each gave more than 1,000 hours.  

LAFLA’s Deferred Law Firm Program contributed to this remarkable growth. In 2010, we hosted eight deferred law firm associates who spent 6,000 hours working with LAFLA staff. Another contributing factor is the continued commitment of our access to justice allies.  LAFLA did not see, as did many legal services programs, a drop off in participation by firms either individually or as a whole.  Instead, firms met or exceeded their previous pro bono contributions in almost every instance. Thank you to all the firms and individuals who contributed to making 2010 a landmark and very successful pro bono year. 

LAFLA Offers Many Advantages to Law Firms Seeking to Engage in Pro Bono Projects

 Qualified Pro Bono: In order to receive LAFLA’s free legal services, all clients must qualify under the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) or U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) income and asset guidelines. Therefore, any clients placed with your firm qualify as pro bono clients under the Pro Bono Institute’s Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge©, ABA Model Rule 6.1, and the State Bar of California’s Board of Governors’ Pro Bono Resolution (2002) definitions.