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Pro Bono Services & Opportunities
Pro Bono Services
The Pro Bono Program is a collaboration between Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Inc. (LASMNY) and private attorneys to provide free legal services to low income persons across LASMNY's 13 county service area: Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, and Otsego
LASMNY frequently partners with local bar associations, universities, and other service providers. Some recent collaboration includes:
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American Civic Association - Immigration Forum
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Binghamton U. - Student Internship Program
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Binghamton Vet Center -Talk to a Lawyer Series
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Broome Co. Bar Assoc. - Senior Legal Clinics
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Colgate U.-Bankruptcy Consumer Project
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Crime Victims Assist. Center-Immigration Clinics
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Onondaga Bar Assoc. - Elder Law Fair
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Onondaga Bar Assoc. - Pro Se Divorce Clinics
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Sixth Judicial District Pro Bono Committee
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Utica Veterans Center - Pro Bono Advice Clinics
In 2022 the Legal Services Corporation issued a report, The Justice Gap: The Unmet Civil Legal Needs of Low-Income Americans finding that low-income Americans do not get any or enough legal help for 92% of their substantial civil legal problems, up from 86% documented in their 2017 report. LASMNY is grateful to all the volunteers who help close the justice gap.
Pro bono attorney involvement is crucial to help meet the pressing legal needs of the indigent in our communities.
Volunteer Opportunities
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Divorce Screening Clinics: meet individually with clients to advise on divorce matters
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Pro Se Divorce Clinics: instruct a group on filling out the uncontested divorce packet
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Divorce Referrals: represent clients in contested or uncontested divorce matters
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Consumer Clinics: meet individually with clients to advise on debt collection matters
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Bankruptcy Referrals: represent clients in Chapter 7 bankruptcies
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Landlord-Tenant Project: be an attorney of the hour for tenants in housing court
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Estate Planning Project: prepare simple wills, health care proxies and powers of attorney
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Child Support Clinics: provide advice and counsel on child support matters
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Unemployment Insurance Project: represent clients in UIB hearings by phone or in-person
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Veterans Clinics: be a lawyer for the day at local veterans center
Legal HelpLine Referrals: accept referrals on civil legal matters
of your choice or give telephone advice from your office.
Helpline attorneys participate from the comfort
and convenience of their homes and offices.
FAQs about the Pro Bono Program
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We pre-screen applicants; no referrals are made unless they qualify for LASMNY. -AND- If you are contacted by a low-income person that you want to help pro bono, we can tell you within minutes if they meet our guidelines. If so, the pro bono case is opened and automatically "referred" back to you.
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We provide malpractice coverage for all pro bono cases referred.
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We provide research, forms and other support.
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We can provide CLE credit if you spend at least 1.0 hour on pro bono work.
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We annually recognize attorneys in local bar newsletters and nominate outstanding volunteers for county and statewide honors.
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Our Student Intern Program recruits and trains outstanding students as pro bono interns. We can place student interns at pro bono attorney offices to assist with LASMNY assignments.
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The Legal HelpLine established in 2007 gives legal advice on any civil legal matter to qualified applicants within LASMNY's 13-county service area. This enables us to refer cases in almost any area of civil law. Attorneys can give telephone advice from their own offices.
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If you want to help in an area of law new to you, we provide training and mentor attorneys interested in learning a new area of law.
Pro Bono Opportunities for Law Students & Law Graduates
LASMNY offers many ways for law students and law grads to gain valuable experience as a volunteer or intern. In addition, we participate in the pro bono scholars’ program and provide opportunities for law students to complete the requisite 50 hours of pro bono service for NYS bar admission. On site interns rotate among our different practice areas, and can attend court appearances, hearings and attorney of the day programs.
Contact Us today to learn more or volunteer for pro bono opportunities today!
Michaela Azemi, Esq.
Pamela MacLaren
Dodie Hazen