Pro Bono and Legal Aid Committee

The Pro Bono and Legal Aid Committee deals with questions in the fields of pro bono and legal aid, with respect to

supporting activities that assist volunteer attorney legal services program and organizations, and encouraging pro bono participation;
addressing the administration of justice as it affects indigent persons throughout the state; and
cooperating with other agencies, both public and private, interested in these objectives.

For general information about how to find legal help in Washington State, please refer to the Find Legal Help page. The Pro Bono and Legal Aid Committee does not accept or refer cases for pro bono legal assistance.

Committee News

PBLAC's significant accomplishments include

May 2011 Bar News which highlights the importance of pro bono work, profiled volunteer attorneys around the state, and provided information about how to get involved
Amendment to MCLE 103(f) providing CLE credits for pro bono service
Emeritus Attorney Program under APR 8(e)
Resolution 23 Leadership to Promote Equal Justice
Review and amendment of RPC 6.1 Pro Bono Publico Service
Newly-adopted GR 34 - Waiver of Court and Clerks Fees and Charges in Civil Matters on the Basis of Indigency
Outreach to the Supreme Court and new lawyers
WSBA Voluntary Pro Bono Interest & Skills Survey

PBLAC is currently

Developing Long Distance Lawyers, a pilot project in partnership with members of the Alliance for Equal Justice that promotes the use of technology to link attorneys in urban communities with clients in rural areas
Reviewing how attorneys can earn CLE credit through pro bono service under MCLE Regulation 103(f) and Admission to Practice Rule 11.2(a)(4)
Reaching out to and collaborating with members of the Washington State Alliance for Equal Justice