Feb. 3, 2021 – Seeking volunteer opportunities for pro bono work? The new State Bar of Wisconsin Pro Bono Portal offers an easy way to find opportunities that fit your skills, interests, and level of commitment.
The Pro Bono Portal, powered by Paladin and launched in November, is an online, centralized portal that makes it easy to find opportunities in your particular area of law.
“At a time when so many of us are working remotely, it’s difficult to connect with groups looking for volunteers,” said Jeff Brown, State Bar pro bono manager. “This portal makes it easier for you to connect with volunteer opportunities.”
Tour the Pro Bono Portal by Video
Check out the Pro Bono Portal website at wisbar.org/probono or probonowi.org, and take the quick video tour. The new video, hosted by Brown, shows how to navigate the portal and where to find further information about pro bono work.
To search for volunteer opportunities, you can browse and sort the listed opportunities. You can choose based on your status: lawyers – active and retired, law students, legal professionals, and remote volunteers. There’s also information for those new to pro bono work in Wisconsin, including questions to ask before taking on a case.
You can indicate your interest in the opportunity simply by clicking a box on the listing’s page. You’ll fill out a short form that generates an email to the organization that posted the listing.
The State Bar coordinates the portal, and provides free access to participating pro bono programs to post their volunteer opportunities. There is also no cost to lawyers or law firms to participate by viewing or responding to these pro bono opportunities.
Get Answers to Your Pro Bono Questions
Have questions about pro bono opportunities? Email Jeff Brown, State Bar pro bono manager.
50 or More Pro Bono Hours in 2020? Certify for Pro Bono Honor Society
If you donate 50 or more hours of qualifying pro bono legal services to benefit low-income Wisconsin residents in 2020, you qualify as a member of the Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society – certify your service by Feb. 28, 2021.
The Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society, created by the Access to Justice Commission with support from the State Bar of Wisconsin, recognizes Wisconsin lawyers who volunteer at least 50 hours of their time annually to help expand access to justice for low-income Wisconsin residents.
Lawyers may self-certify that they qualify for Pro Bono Honor Society status based on their service in 2020. In addition, others who have knowledge of the attorney’s pro bono work – such as law firms, pro bono programs, legal aid organizations, and judges – may submit a certification for an attorney.
To certify service, use the online form on the Pro Bono Honor Society webpage.