Pro Bono Attorney Opportunities | Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
Pro Bono Volunteer Opportunities — Palm Beach County

Take a Pro Bono Case. Help a Palm Beach County Resident Access Justice.

Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County needs Florida attorneys to take civil cases, support clinics, and provide pro bono legal help to low-income residents who would otherwise face the system alone. Flexible commitment. Malpractice coverage provided.

Malpractice Insurance Provided
CLE Credit May Apply
Civil Cases Only
Electronic Case Assignments Available
75+ Years Serving Palm Beach County
20 Pro Bono Hours = Florida Bar Obligation Met
20+ Active Legal Programs Across the County
Why It Matters

The Need Is Real — and Your Help Can Make an Immediate Difference

Every day, low-income residents in Palm Beach County face civil legal problems that determine where they live, whether their family stays together, how safe they are, and whether they can keep their income and benefits. Evictions, domestic violence injunctions, probate disputes, custody battles, veterans benefits denials — these are not abstract legal matters. They are life-altering events.

Unlike in criminal cases, there is no right to a lawyer in most civil proceedings. Without pro bono attorneys, many residents represent themselves in court — against landlords with counsel, employers with legal teams, and government agencies with attorneys. The outcome is often predictable.

Pro bono attorneys are not supplementary to Legal Aid's work. They are essential to it.

"The quality of justice in America should not depend on how much money a person can pay."

— Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Mission Statement
Open Case Types

Practice Areas Where Volunteer Attorneys Are Needed

Pro bono cases span a wide range of civil practice areas. Whatever your background, there are clients who need your skills.

Family Law — Divorce, Custody & Paternity
Domestic Violence — Injunctions & Safety
Housing — Eviction Defense & Foreclosure
Probate — Estate Administration & Title
Elder Law — Guardianship & Elder Abuse
Veterans Benefits — Claims & Appeals
Consumer — Debt Defense & Bankruptcy
Government Benefits — SSI, Medicaid & More
Education Advocacy — IEPs & Student Rights
Children's Rights — Foster Care & Advocacy
Immigration — VAWA, U-Visa & Naturalization
Wage Disputes & Employment — Civil Matters
Volunteer Options

Multiple Ways to Volunteer — You Choose What Fits

No single participation model fits every attorney. Legal Aid PBC offers structured options from full case representation to one-time clinic support.

Take a Case

Represent a client in a civil matter that aligns with your practice area. Cases are matched to your background and can often be handled electronically. Full malpractice coverage is provided for all referred cases.

Support a Clinic

Volunteer in a structured legal clinic setting — advice-only or brief service — where multiple clients are served in a single session. Clinics run at community centers, courthouses, and health centers across the county.

Project-Based Help

Contribute in focused, time-limited ways — document review, legal research, drafting — when ongoing case representation is not the right fit. Ideal for attorneys with limited time who still want to make a meaningful impact.

Why Volunteer Through Legal Aid PBC

Professional Benefits. Real Impact.

Pro bono work through Legal Aid PBC comes with professional protections and recognition — because your time and expertise deserve support.

Malpractice Insurance Provided

Legal Aid PBC provides malpractice coverage for all pro bono cases referred through the program. You are protected at no cost to you.

CLE Credit May Apply

The Florida Supreme Court has approved CLE credit for eligible pro bono legal service. Volunteer hours may satisfy your continuing legal education requirements.

Fulfill Your Florida Bar Obligation

Florida Bar rules ask each attorney to render 20 hours of pro bono service annually or contribute $350 to a legal aid organization. Cases through Legal Aid PBC satisfy this responsibility.

Flexible Participation

Case assignments are available electronically. Clinics have set schedules. Project help is on your timeline. Legal Aid PBC works around your practice — not the other way around.

Getting Started

Three Steps to Start Volunteering

The process is straightforward. Legal Aid's Pro Bono team handles case matching and onboarding — you focus on the law.

Complete the Volunteer Form

Share your practice areas, contact information, and how you'd like to help. The form takes about five minutes.

Get Matched to a Case or Clinic

Legal Aid's Pro Bono team reviews your background and matches you to appropriate cases or clinic opportunities. You review before accepting.

Receive Full Support Materials

You receive the case file, malpractice coverage confirmation, relevant legal resources, and access to Staff Attorney support throughout.

Ready to Help?

Choose the Next Step That Works Best for You

No obligation to commit until you've reviewed an opportunity. Every conversation is welcome.

Office hours: Monday–Thursday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. · Friday 9 a.m.–4 p.m. · Appointments available.

Common Questions

Pro Bono Volunteer FAQ

Do I have to be based in Palm Beach County to volunteer?

No. We welcome Florida attorneys from throughout South Florida and beyond. Many case types support electronic or remote participation. Our clients are in Palm Beach County, but your office does not have to be.

What types of civil cases are available?

Legal Aid PBC has active need across family law, domestic violence, housing and eviction, probate and elder law, consumer debt and bankruptcy, government benefits, veterans benefits, education advocacy, children's rights, immigration, and wage disputes. Availability varies — contact the Pro Bono team for current case inventory.

Is malpractice coverage available for pro bono cases?

Yes. Malpractice insurance is provided for all pro bono cases referred by the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. There is no cost to the volunteer attorney.

Can I earn CLE credit for pro bono service?

Yes. The Florida Supreme Court has approved continuing legal education (CLE) credit for eligible pro bono legal service rendered through qualifying programs. Contact Legal Aid's Pro Bono team or the Florida Bar for current program eligibility and documentation requirements.

What if I am not ready to take a full case?

That is completely fine. Use the volunteer form or email the Pro Bono team at EJC@legalaidpbc.org and indicate your interest in clinic support, project-based help, or just an initial conversation. There is no commitment required to reach out.

Can retired or encore attorneys volunteer?

Absolutely. Retired and encore attorneys are welcome and their experience is highly valued. Participation can be tailored to your availability and practice background. Contact the Pro Bono team to discuss arrangements that work for you.

What is the Florida Bar pro bono responsibility?

The Rules Regulating the Florida Bar state that each Florida attorney has a professional responsibility to render pro bono legal services to the poor in the amount of 20 hours annually — or to make a financial contribution of at least $350 to a legal aid organization. Volunteering with Legal Aid PBC satisfies this professional responsibility. Attorneys who prefer to contribute financially may do so through the Campaign for Equal Justice.

Use Your Legal Skills to Help Someone Who Would Otherwise Face the Civil Justice System Alone

Every pro bono case is a life potentially changed. The commitment is flexible. The impact is real.

423 Fern Street, Suite 200, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Mon–Thu 9am–5pm · Fri 9am–4pm