Are you looking for information on how to become a pro bono lawyer in Arkansas? If yes, then you have come to the right place. This article will discuss the importance of doing pro bono work and how to charge reduced fees to help low-income clients. You can also read about the resources available for those who are interested in pro bono work. In addition, you will learn about the legal aid resources available in the state.
Performing pro bono work
Attorneys performing pro bono work are recognized by the legal profession for their efforts to help people in need. This type of service is often done by nonprofit organizations or charitable organizations that provide legal assistance for free. One nonprofit organization is the Center for Arkansas Legal Services, which provides free legal aid to low-income Arkansans for civil cases. These cases often deal with family, housing, consumer, or public benefits issues.
Thousands of lawyers in Arkansas volunteer their time to help those in need in their communities. They may not be familiar with a particular area of law, but they have the necessary skills to take on pro bono work. Civil legal services in Arkansas also run programs that help lawyers perform pro bono work. In addition to providing free legal services, the state’s new Access to Justice Commission has placed a high priority on pro bono efforts.
Volunteer lawyers may be eligible to receive CLE credits for performing pro bono work. The Arkansas Supreme Court has supported efforts to encourage attorneys to become more involved in pro bono work and the state’s Access to Justice Commission has passed a resolution supporting this measure. The Office of Professional Programs administers the state’s CLE programs. By recognizing these efforts, attorneys can earn valuable CLE credits. This new policy has been welcomed by advocates for pro bono work.
Charging reduced fees
Many low-income people in Arkansas have no means to pay for their legal services. These individuals are often sent to jail without regard for their ability to pay. Hearings can last just two minutes. Most defendants are held without the assistance of a court reporter or a lawyer. Poor Arkansans often are charged with new process-related offenses like Failure to Appear or Failure to Pay. The court may also impose an arrest warrant or suspension of the defendant’s driver’s license.
Pro bono attorneys in Arkansas may charge reduced fees if they have the necessary experience, training, and experience to handle such cases. However, in some cases, their experience may be limited to cases involving criminal charges or a limited number of cases. Regardless of the circumstances, attorneys can charge lower fees if they’re willing to accept the client’s case for free. Some lawyers also refuse to accept cases unless they are a part of a legal aid program.
One study has shown that two-thirds of Arkansans have a civil legal problem. Yet only 14 percent seek legal assistance. The results are alarming. While these statistics may indicate that the poor can’t afford to hire a lawyer, they still have the right to legal representation. As a result, many attorneys provide free legal assistance to these individuals. And pro bono attorneys can work in a variety of fields, including bankruptcy, divorce, and immigration.
Representing low-income clients
In recognition of the importance of providing access to civil justice to low-income Arkansans, several state and local leaders will issue proclamations this April. Mayors of Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Little Rock-Fort Smith will recognize those who represent low-income clients as pro bono lawyers. The Benton County Bar Association and Washington County Bar Association will also hold luncheons to honor those who serve as pro bono lawyers. Legal Aid of Arkansas’s Eva Madison will speak at the luncheon.
In Arkansas, attorneys who volunteer to represent low-income clients can find employment at Legal Aid of America or Legal Aid of Arkansas, both of which provide free legal services. Volunteer attorneys may specialize in a particular area of law, but most often handle criminal, civil, and juvenile cases. There are also many opportunities to serve as a pro bono lawyer in Arkansas. Legal Aid Arkansas also offers links to other resources that assist low-income Arkansans.
The need for pro bono legal services in Arkansas has never been higher. Nearly one-out-of-five Arkansans are in need of free legal assistance, and there are only a few attorneys in the state per capita. In rural areas, that ratio is as high as one attorney to 162 residents. Pro bono attorneys in Arkansas can help fill this void by providing legal assistance to the most disadvantaged residents of the state.
