The Power of Pro Bono

Bridging the Civil Legal Justice Gap

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 8,700 Nebraskans in 2022. 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. 
The Legal Services Corporation estimates that 74% of low-income households experience a civil legal problem annually and 92% 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. 

Thankful Thursday Volunteer

Ryan Watson

We’d like to thank Ryan Watson, of Gross Welch Marks Clare. Ryan is a volunteer attorney for our Case Referral Program and has helped many low-income people with their estate plans on a pro bono basis. #ThankfulThursday
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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. ​