Pro Bono Opportunities
Join Our Network of Supporters as a Volunteer or Pro Bono Advocate
Pro Bono
Get Involved With NLS
NLS offers pro bono opportunities for law firms, lawyers and other professionals who have an interest in helping our low income clients with their legal matters. If you are a tax professional, immigration or social security advocate, we have clients that need your help even if you are not an attorney! If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the Interest Form below. If you are already a volunteer, request an updated copy of our case list with clients that need your help today!
**If you are seeking services from our Pro Bono Program, please fill out an Online Intake by clicking the link above. Do not click on the case list request below.
Behind our pro bono program
NLS is the only legal services organization in Nevada with a federal mandate to spend a portion of our funding on a Pro Bono Program. NLS must expend 12.5% of our federal Legal Services Corporation funding on Pro Bono activities each year. NLS serves the entire state from offices in Reno, Carson City, Elko, Yerington, and Las Vegas. Our Pro Bono Program has become a vital aspect of the services we provide for our clients and with YOUR help we continue to provide these vital services. Read more below about the different ways that you can help.
Limited Scope Representation
In November 2022, a new District Court rule was adopted to expand limited scope representation, or commonly called unbundled services, to every court across Nevada. While originally proposed to encourage pro bono participation in the programs of the 5 legal services organizations in Nevada, the rule is not limited only to pro bono service. The Limited Scope Representation rule of District Court Rule 26 allows attorneys, whether paid or pro bono, to enter into a limited scope representation agreement with a client to provide discreet services in family law matters. The proposed forms with the rules were designed to be transparent with the court and the client about the limitations of the attorney’s representation, while also ensuring attorneys may withdraw once the services are complete.
“The limited scope attorney shall then be allowed to withdraw from the matter if no objection is filed and the court determines the services in the limited scope representation are complete.” DCR 26(6)(d).
Lawyer in the School Project
Our new Lawyer in the School Project provides direct access for families in need by embedding NLS staff at Myrtle Tate Elementary School, a Title I school in Las Vegas, to facilitate on-site case intake, Ask-A-Lawyer sessions, & pro bono referrals. Volunteers are needed to assist with upcoming Ask a Lawyer events at Myrtle Tate Elementary School, a Title 1 school in Las Vegas. The Ask A Lawyer events are held Tuesdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Myrtle Tate Elementary School Project events can be conducted in-person, via Zoom, or telephonically.
To learn more or volunteer, please contact Cecy Roa or call 702-386-0404 ext. 117.
CLE Credit for Volunteer Work
Nevada recently instituted a rule that allows attorneys to obtain CLE credit, up to 4 hours, for taking on a pro bono case. Click here to request a list of our current pro bono options to start earning your CLE credit today! Want to take a case but need a mentor? Let our Pro Bono Program staff know and we will set you up with an attorney that can help you navigate one of our pro bono cases!
Reduced Fee Panel
For those cases that are particularly difficult to place on a pro bono basis, NLS also has a reduced fee panel of attorneys and professional volunteers. Participation on this panel allows the attorney to be paid a reduced fee by NLS while the client still receives free legal services from the panel attorney or professional. To be a panel member, you must also agree to take cases from NLS on a pro bono basis or volunteer for one of our many other pro bono activities. Reduced fee cases are also not allowed CLE credit. Priority in placement of cases through the panel will always be given to our dedicated pro bono volunteers. If you are interested, please reach out to our pro bono program offices to request more information or to submit the Agreement: Pro Bono South or Pro Bono North.
Ask-A-Lawyer & Community Law Fairs
NLS provides Ask a Lawyer multiple times every month across Nevada on a variety of legal topics, including family law and estate planning. These Ask a Lawyer events last approximately 4 hours and are currently held virtually – by Zoom or telephone. NLS staff set up volunteer attorneys at each event to speak with our low income clients for 30 minutes about a legal issue with which they need guidance. Help one of our low income clients navigate the legal system by signing up to help with an Ask-A-Lawyer today!
We have also expanded our popular Ask-A-Lawyer program to include Statewide Community Law Fair Events. We will hold Law Fairs on various topics every other month and recruit attorneys and clients across the state.
You can check out our Community Events calendar for a listing of our upcoming Ask-A-Lawyer and Community Law Fair events to sign up to help out today!
Pro Bono Week
October is Pro Bono Month culminating with the national celebration of Pro Bono Week as the last week in October every year. During this month Nevada Legal Services will offer special recruitment lunches, CLEs, legal education classes for the public, and other opportunities for attorneys to volunteer. We also plan to provide virtual estate planning events for those attorneys who cannot travel and will work with local organizations to assist with recruitment of potential clients.
