The Power of Pro Bono
Bridging the Civil Legal Justice Gap
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The Nebraska State Bar Association began the Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) in 1983 to help Nebraska attorneys meet their pro bono goals. Thanks to the amazing volunteer attorneys, law students, and other legal professionals, VLP helped nearly 8,500 Nebraskans in 2021. Victims of human trafficking secured custody of their children from their abusers. Individuals living with disabilities avoided evictions during the pandemic. Daycare providers secured legal guidance in navigating the federal relief packages.
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The Legal Services Corporation estimates that 71% of low-income households experience a civil legal problem annually and 86% of low-income individuals seeking civil legal assistance receive inadequate or no legal assistance. Legal nonprofits alone cannot solve this crisis, particularly in Nebraska where the civil legal justice gap is compounded by the rural justice gap. The Volunteer Lawyers Project is committed to connecting legal professionals with meaningful pro bono and reduced fee work through direct case placement, virtual & in-person clinics, ongoing projects, cyber platforms, and courthouse self-help desks.
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Thankful Thursday VolunteerSusan ReffSusan Reff is passionate about protecting and promoting the administration of & access to justice. Reff volunteers at free legal clinics, co-built a law firm that urges all team members to engage in pro bono, and serves as a community leader in various roles.
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Please nominate a pro bono volunteer you would like to thank for their efforts in expanding access to justice. With just a few sentences, anyone can nominate any Nebraska legal professional or group of Nebraska legal professionals they believe deserve special recognition for their dedication to pro bono work.
