About the pro bono project
The Pro Bono Project coordinates private attorneys who generously volunteer to provide free legal assistance to individuals who cannot afford an attorney. While the attorneys do not charge the clients their hourly rates, the clients are responsible for any costs in the case that cannot be waived.
Through the Project, pro bono attorneys provide assistance with matters including, but not limited to, real estate, consumer fraud, bankruptcy, and family law, including representation of domestic violence victims and child victims of abuse/neglect.
The attorneys who contribute their services to residents of Clark County through our Project are honored each year at a Pro Bono Awards Luncheon. Volunteers who contribute more than 100 hours in a year have their names added to a Pro Bono Honor Roll plaque displayed in our lobby.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE THE PRO BONO PROJECT PROVIDES
The Pro Bono Project matches private attorney volunteers with low-income individuals in need of assistance in the following areas:
- Adoption
- Bankruptcy
- Child Abuse/Neglect (Representing Children)
- Civil/Consumer Fraud
- Divorce
- Domestic Violence Guardianship (Uncontested)
- Estate/Trust
- Immigration (Victims of Domestic Violence and Other Crimes)
- Non-Profit organizations
- Predatory Lending Real Estate Fraud
We DO NOT provide assistance with criminal, employment, personal injury, or traffic matters.
PLEASE NOTE: Because of the necessary intake process and the fact that we typically have a very long waiting list, we are rarely able to provide assistance on an emergency basis.
How to apply for services
Residents of Clark County who meet LACSN's financial guidelines are eligible for consideration for assistance through our program.
If you are seeking assistance in any of the following areas, please call (702) 386-1070, ext. 1711 to attend one of our free legal information classes:
- Divorce
- Paternity/Custody
- Guardianship
- Bankruptcy
At the end of the class, you can apply for additional assistance.
If you have a consumer problem, including but not limited to, problems with a payday loans, debt collection, car purchases, repair contracts, real estate scams, or other general civil issues, please call our Consumer Hotline at 386-1070, ext. 1717. A consumer advocate will return your call within 3-5 business days. Please be patient.
If an applicant meets the initial requirements, the applicant will be scheduled for an interview with an intake advocate. The applicant will be required to provide proof of all HOUSEHOLD income and documents related to the case.
Once all necessary intake information has been provided, the case will be considered by a review committee. The committee will determine whether or not we will assist the applicant based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, merits of the case and availability of volunteers.
If the committee decides to accept the case, the applicant will then be placed on a waiting list while we begin the process of trying to match the case with an available volunteer attorney. This process typically takes between 30 and 90 days.
If we are unable to accept the case, we will advise the applicant of other available community resources.
Client obligations once accepted into the program
Once a client is accepted into the program, the client MUST:
- Keep the Project informed of any changes in contact information;
- Notify the Project immediately of any changes in household income;
- While on the waiting list, inform the Project of any developments in your case and provide us with copies of any documents received from the court or opposing party;
- Be prompt and prepared for all meetings with the volunteer attorney;
- Cooperate with your attorney in pursuing your case (i.e. promptly return all calls and provide requested information);
- Be courteous and respectful to the volunteer attorney and his/her staff;
- Be prepared to pay any costs associated with your case (You will not be charged attorneys fees, but volunteer attorneys are not necessarily agreeing to pay out of their pockets for costs in your case.)
Click here for Pro Bono brochure.
