We generally refer cases in eviction defense, child custody, records sealing, Social Security disability benefits appeals, and housing conditions. We occasionally have opportunities outside of our main practice areas. We are open to creating new projects based on our community needs and/or law firm experience. 

Legal Aid provides detailed manuals, training videos, sample pleadings, and expert mentorship. Each pro bono case is assigned an experienced Legal Aid attorney as an expert mentor who can answer questions, provide sample pleadings, and discuss relevant case law and strategy. 

While Legal Aid can only make pro bono case referrals directly to attorneys, legal support staff are often integral to a pro bono team’s work. If you are a paralegal or legal assistant at a law firm, we encourage you to contact your firm's pro bono coordinator for guidance on ways to get involved. If you are a paralegal or legal assistant for the federal government, we recommend contacting the Federal Government Pro Bono Program Manager, Laura Klein at laura.f.klein@usdoj.gov.  

If you are a law student interested in getting involved with Legal Aid, we encourage you to apply for our internship program.  

Legal Aid does not co-counsel with pro bono attorneys on individual case referrals. When we refer a case to a pro bono team, we will assign a Legal Aid expert mentor who is an experienced attorney who can answer questions, provide sample pleadings, and discuss relevant law and strategy. The mentor will not attend client meetings or any hearings.  

Absolutely. We do not expect our pro bono attorneys to be subject matter experts in all of our practice areas. Legal Aid will share training resources with its pro bono attorneys so they can confidently enter their appearance in their pro bono matter. Legal Aid will also assign the pro bono team an expert mentor.  

Legal Aid has a variety of ways to engage in pro bono opportunities that do not involve litigation, specifically Social Security disability appeals and criminal record sealing. On some occasions, we may also have research opportunities. The Legal Aid Pro Bono Program is happy to work with interested attorneys in finding a case that works for them.  

Of the case types we refer to pro bono attorneys, the areas in which attorneys are more likely to have courtroom exposure are eviction defense and child custody cases.  

Legal Aid DC provides malpractice insurance to attorneys not otherwise covered.  

We are mindful of parameters applicable to federal government attorneys. Reach out to the Federal Government Pro Bono Program Manager, Laura Klein, at (202) 353-7529 or e-mail laura.f.klein@usdoj.gov for additional guidance. We often recommend eviction defense, housing conditions, or child custody cases for government attorneys.

Please contact Pro Bono Director Sylvia Soltis at ssoltis@legalaiddc.org for more information.