Volunteer support
When you serve as a pro bono volunteer with Legal Aid of North Carolina, we stay with you every step of the way. Our Pro Bono Programs team is dedicated to helping you succeed. From the point you agree to take a case all the way until you complete it, we’ll be by your side.
Training
Want to help but don’t have experience in our practice areas? No problem! We have a wide variety of live CLEs and other training materials—guidebooks, slide decks, sample forms, etc.—to get you up to speed fast.
Mentoring
Our pro bono volunteers are never alone. Throughout your service you can call on our dedicated attorneys and pro bono coordinators for help with all aspects of your case.
Recognition
We love our volunteers—and it shows! From volunteer spotlights on our website, listings in our annual reports, shout outs on social media, nominations for awards and more, we make sure the whole world knows about our awesome volunteers.
Malpractice insurance
Worried about malpractice? Don’t be! All volunteers are covered by our malpractice insurance, so you can serve with confidence. Malpractice insurance includes primary and excess insurance for volunteer lawyers and lawyers providing pro bono legal assistance to our clients. If the volunteer is not insured, our policy should be the first layer of coverage for the pro bono work provided. If the volunteer is insured, our policy may provide excess coverage.
Inactive and out-of-state attorneys
If you are an inactive North Carolina attorney or are licensed to practice law in another state, you can still join us on our mission for justice by petitioning for Pro Bono Practice Status from the North Carolina State Bar.
Pro Bono Practice Status allows inactive attorneys (also known as “emeritus” attorneys) and out-of-state attorneys (also known as “pro hac vice” attorneys) to provide pro bono services through a nonprofit legal services provider.
Learn more about Pro Bono Practice Status from our friends at the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center: ncprobono.org/pro-bono-practice-status.
How we can help
If you are interested in serving as one of our pro bono attorneys, we can guide you through the application process for Pro Bono Practice Status. A member of our statewide Pro Bono Programs team can tell you about our pro bono opportunities, explain the application process, and fill out and submit the petition paperwork for you.
How to get started
Fill out our Pro Bono Interest Form (click the button below) to let us know which of our programs you’re interested in. We’ll review your submission and get in touch.
Law schools
Law schools and law students are among our most valuable pro bono partners. We work with all six North Carolina law schools on pro bono projects. Click the links below to learn more.