Volunteer Lawyers Project

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What is the Volunteer Lawyers Project?

The demand for legal assistance, which has always been greater than available resources, continues to grow. The Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati receives over 21,000 requests for assistance annually. Through the combined efforts of Legal Aid Society and private attorneys taking cases pro bono through the Volunteer Lawyers Project, the two organization represented clients in 9,000 cases, helping over 25,000 people. In Warren County alone in 2021, 15 new cases were opened through the VLP. Legal Aid received 652 requests for legal assistance from Warren County residents and opened 143 cases.

Why should you participate?

The demand for legal assistance, which has always been greater than available resources, continues to grow. The Legal Aid Society receives over 30,000 requests for help every year. Through the combined efforts of The Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati and Volunteer Lawyers 6,500 individuals receive assistance; approximately 1,200 of these callers get help from VLP attorneys. In Warren County alone in 2003, 40 new cases were opened with the VLP. Within just the first six months of 2004, The Legal Aid Society received over 600 calls from Warren County requesting legal help.

How the VLP works

Volunteer Lawyers handle cases common to a general civil law practice. These cases may require advice, brief service, investigation, negotiation, or court appearance. The VLP interviews clients and determines financial eligibility and nature of the case, sends you information on the case and, once you have accepted, gives the client your name and phone number. The client is instructed to arrange a meeting with you within two weeks. The VLP offers attorneys free malpractice insurance (for work done with the VLP), back-up support of Legal Aid attorneys, free training seminars that qualify for Continuing Legal Education Credits, and will cover the costs & litigation fees.

What can you do?

You can contribute in providing legal assistance to the less fortunate in your community by accepting two pro bono cases a year. Attorneys are needed in a variety of legal areas including: housing, consumer, family, employment, and estate. With the guidance and support of our dedicated staff, many attorneys have found volunteering with the VLP a way to learn more about an area of law they are interested in practicing.

For more information about how to volunteer, please contact:

Molly T. Russell
mrussell@lascinti.org
(513) 362-2864

 

If you need legal assistance, please use the attorney search feature to the right; low income individuals seeking assistance with a civil legal matter may contact the Legal Aid Society at 513-241-9400 or 1-800-582-2682; low income individuals seeking a court-appointed attorney should contact the court where the case is located.