When you work with an attorney, you have a lot of questions. Will they charge you every single time you talk to them? Do they file the paperwork fast so that it doesn’t interrupt your personal life? What are all of these legal terms that you keep hearing about?Most people want to know if they should pay for professional help with their legal issues. And most people want to know if they can get help without paying a lot of money.Fortunately, there are many types of attorneys who offer their services for free or at very low cost. Legal services provided by volunteers are often referred to as pro-bono services or pro-Bono legal assistance. Some attorneys provide pro-Bono services because they believe in the work that they do and want to help others; others provide pro-Bono services because they are required to under contract with their firm or with a government agency. Either way, there are attorneys in every state who offer assistance with their services without charging a fee. Here we explore some of the most common types of pro-Bono services offered by attorneys in the United States:
What is pro-bono legal assistance?
Pro-Bono legal assistance is legal help that is offered without charge. Pro-Bono legal assistance is provided by attorneys who volunteer their time to help those in need with their legal issues. Pro-Bono legal assistance is offered to anyone who needs assistance with their legal issues. Many pro-Bono organizations help people with their immigration issues, divorce and family law issues, criminal cases, and other legal issues.Pro-Bono legal assistance is often provided in the field where there is little or no access to an attorney. For example, there are many organizations that provide pro-Bono legal assistance to low-income individuals who have recently been arrested. Other organizations will provide pro-Bono legal assistance to those who need to get a divorce or file for child custody.
Conciliation services
Conciliation services are a type of pro-Bono legal assistance that is provided to help resolve disputes between individuals, businesses, and organizations.Conciliation services are often provided by organizations that are associated with a court or administrative body that resolves disputes between individuals and businesses. The services offered by these organizations vary from one location to another. For example, there may be an organization that offers conciliation services at the state level while another organization may offer its services on the local level.Conciliation services include helping parties to resolve disputes outside of the court system. The services offered by these organizations are free or low-cost and are intended to help resolve disputes without having to involve the court system.
Legal advice and referral services
Legal advice and referral services are a type of pro-Bono legal assistance that is provided by an attorney to help you find the best source for legal assistance. Legal advice and referral services vary from one attorney to another. For example, some attorneys may provide a free telephone hotline that you can call with any legal questions. Other attorneys may provide free online legal advice and referrals. The types of legal advice and referrals offered by attorneys may include any combination of the following: legal advice about how to handle a specific legal issue; legal advice about how to file a specific type of legal document; and referrals to a specific organization that provides legal assistance.Legal advice and referral services help you find the best source for legal assistance. These services are helpful for people who either need a lawyer or need to find a source of low-cost legal advice.
Bridging services
Bridging services are a type of pro-Bono legal assistance that is provided by an organization to help low-income individuals apply for federal assistance.Bridging services are provided by non-profit organizations that assist low-income individuals who are applying for federal assistance such as food stamps, Medicaid, and low-income housing assistance.Bridging services are helpful for those who are unable to get to an office where the assistance is provided. For example, if you are applying for federal assistance and have a child, you may need help getting to the office where you need to apply.Bridging services often provide assistance with the application process, although some may also provide assistance with transportation to the office.
Co-counsel services
Co-counsel services are a type of pro-Bono legal assistance that is provided by an attorney to another attorney who needs legal assistance.Co-counsel services are often provided to government agencies that are unable to provide their own legal assistance. For example, a government agency may need to draft a contract, but lacks the legal expertise to do so. In this situation, the government agency may hire another attorney to assist with the contract drafting. The attorney may offer to assist for free or at a low cost.Co-counsel services are helpful to government agencies that cannot afford a full-time attorney. While co-counsel services are not free, they are often much less expensive than hiring a full-time attorney.
Co-counsel services for government agencies
Co-counsel services for government agencies are a type of pro-Bono legal assistance that is provided by an attorney to assist with contract drafting for a government agency.Co-counsel services for government agencies are usually provided to government agencies that are unable to afford a full-time attorney. Co-counsel services can be helpful when drafting or reviewing contracts, or drafting grant agreements.Co-counsel services may charge a fee for their services if the government agency hires them for a specific contract.
Collaborative law services
Collaborative law services are a type of pro-Bono legal assistance that are provided by an attorney who is engaged in a collaborative law case with a client. Collaborative law services are provided by attorneys who work with their clients to resolve their legal issues.Collaborative law services may offer to assist with the preparation of your case, draft legal documents, attend mediation or arbitration, and provide other assistance with your case. Collaborative law services are helpful for people who are unable to afford a full-time attorney.Collaborative law services are helpful for people who do not have the financial resources to hire a full-time attorney.
Conclusion
There are many types of pro-Bono legal assistance that are available to people in need. For example, conciliation services are offered by organizations that help parties resolve disputes outside of the court system. Legal advice and referral services are provided by attorneys who help you find the best source for legal assistance.Bridging services are offered by non-profit organizations that assist low-income individuals who are applying for federal assistance. Co-counsel services are provided by attorneys who assist another attorney with a specific legal issue. Collaborative law services are provided by an attorney who is engaged in a collaborative law case with a client.