Kentucky Volunteer Lawyer Program

News

Celebrate Pro Bono!

The ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service is excited to announce plans for the second annual National Pro Bono Celebration. Scheduled for October 25 through 30, 2010, the National Pro Bono Celebration is designed to be a coordinated national effort to showcase the incredible difference that pro bono lawyers make to our nation, to our system of justice, to our communities and, most of all, to the clients they serve.

Each of the local pro bono programs are making plans to recognize those who have donated their legal services. Be sure to check with your local program for events or the opportunity to volunteer.

For more information visit www.celebrateprobono.org or contact your local pro bono office. If you need any other information, please contact jduncan@ajfky.org.

Support the KBA New Mentoring Pilot Program

The Kentucky Supreme Court has approved a new pilot program to help new lawyers develop skills, judgment and values critical to the practice of law. A portion of that program requires the mentor to introduce the new lawyer to legal services and pro bono opportunities. The KyVLP and local pro bono programs look forward to helping participants in the Mentoring Program find opportunities. Please feel free to contact your local pro bono program or the KyVLP with any questions you may have.

Services for volunteer attorneys

Coordinating pro bono online! The KyVLP makes it easy for lawyers to volunteer. Lawyers can now come to this website and sign up with their local pro bono program. Signing up on this website is the same as signing up with your local program. After filling out a brief sign-up page on this website, you may receive weekly emails of persons in need of legal representation in your designated practice and geographic areas if you choose. If you prefer to be advised of volunteer opportunities by telephone, your coordinator will contact you accordingly. You are not obligated to take a case simply by signing up to receive the emails. When you are ready to take a case, simply reply to the email notice or web link. You will then be contacted for a conflicts check by your local pro bono coordinator. After clearing the conflicts check, additional information may be available to you. Once the case is completed, you will be able to close the case online as well. Try it out and let us know your opinions and suggestions so together we can help those in need.

Forms and mentors. By working through your local pro bono program, often forms are available, particularly in family law cases, to assist you. If your local program does not have the needed forms, your local coordinator may be able to find what you need by contacting the KyVLP or through another pro bono program. If need further assistance or would like to discuss a legal issue, the pro bono coordinator will try to help by finding another lawyer who practices in that particular area of law.

Court Reporter Services. The Kentucky Court Reporters Association is generously offering free services on pro bono cases. If you are in need of court reporting services on your pro bono case, contact your local legal aid office to see if members of the association are available in your area.

Kentucky Volunteer Lawyer Program
535 West 2nd Street
Suite 101
Lexington, KY 40508
859-255-9913 (voice)
859-231-5356 (fax)