How do I join the Pro Bono Program?
By completing the Pro Bono form online or faxing the office a hard copy at (941)364-8855, we are able to quickly process your application. Our Pro Bono Coordinator is available to assist you with any of your concerns and can be reached at (941) 366-0038 x 101.
How much time is required?
We are asking that you only donate 20 hours for the entire year or take one case. Of course, we would gladly welcome more hours of participation. Our Pro Bono Supporters have donated up to 100 hours or more because they find the experience so richly rewarding and understand the importance of meeting this need.
What kind of cases can I expect to be referred?
Legal Aid of Manasota handles civil matters only. Referral cases may be from the following areas: Bankruptcy, Corporations, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Family Law, Landlord/Tenant, Senior Wills and other legal services.
If you have an area of interest, please indicate that on the Pro Bono form. We also provide legal mentoring in areas that may not be associated with your scope of practice. Our greatest need at this moment is with Dissolution of Marriage and Foreclosure cases.
How does the program work?
The Pro Bono coordinator will send you a referral with the details of the case and client information. Once you have reviewed all the documents and conducted a conflict check you may choose to either accept or reject the case. If you accept the case, the client is notified that their case has been accepted by a pro bono attorney and the client has fourteen days to contact you to make an appointment. A letter confirming placement of the case will be mailed to you and the client.
You can also choose to register online to be able to review potential cases posted on the website. Once your application is received you will get an email with login information that will connect you to our online Pro Bono attorney page. Here you will be able to see all the cases that are currently awaiting pro bono placement. In addition to client information, there will be a short description on the facts of each case. You will automatically see the cases in the area of practice you registered for but you will also be able to adjust your filters to view all the cases in all areas of law awaiting placement.
Once the case is complete you must notify legal aid by filling out a completed Case Disposition Form with the total hours that you spent on the case. The form can be submitted online electronically if you are a pro bono attorney member on our website or mailed back to our office.
How much paperwork is involved?
There is very little paperwork involved to sign up for a case. You will receive the client information with a brief case description and an Accept/Reject Form. This sheet is the only form that you need to fill out. There is no paperwork to fill out if you choose to sign up as a member online through our website. Through our online service you only have to click the "Accept" button to receive a pro bono case.
What kind of issues do I need to inform Legal Aid about?
You should inform Legal Aid if the client does not cooperate, keep appointments or decides that they no longer wish to pursue their case. At completion of the case you will need to notify Legal Aid of the total numbers of hours you worked on the case by filling out a Case Disposition Form and e-mailing it to us or mailing us a hard copy.
What if I am a retired attorney?
Through our Emeritus Attorney Program, we gladly welcome retired lawyers from Florida or out-of-state. Out- of-state attorneys are able to practice in Florida through a special provision if they donate their time to Legal Aid. Through our mentoring program, we are able to orientate you to Florida guidelines.
How do I get started?
Simply click the ONE logo below, complete the Pro Bono form and return it to us via email or fax to our office at 941-364-8855. Once your application has been approved, you will be given a pass code to enter our Member's section. You are then able to review client cases and select your preference.
