We all understand that legal issues have a profound impact on daily life. From custody disputes, eviction proceedings, debt collection, estate planning, disability rights, and more, the ramifications from a legal proceeding can affect a person’s family stability, housing, finances, and personal well-being long beyond their day in court. And yet, many individuals struggle to find affordable legal counsel for a variety of reasons and are seeking pro bono legal help.
“Pro Bono” is a shortened Latin phrase translating to “for the public good.” In the legal world, pro bono refers to the professional work of individuals and organizations who offer free legal advice, representation, or services. These efforts serve as a vital lifeline to bridging the justice gap in our community.
At Allegheny County Law Library, we often get asked where people can find an attorney who will represent them pro bono or how they can know if they qualify for pro bono legal assistance. The full answer is that it really depends, and there is no firm answer because each pro-bono legal service has their own pre-qualifications, topics, and requirements. Very often, the service you may qualify for is dependent upon where you live, how much you earn, and the type of legal matter at hand.
However, here are a few key items you can gather ahead of time to make any application process smoother:
- Proof of your household income and/or benefits
- A copy of your most recent tax return
- Documents proving your place of residence
- A current Photo ID or driver’s license
- Any legal paperwork and documents related to your case
If you find yourself needing assistance in locating any of the above information, please feel free to stop into Allegheny County Law Library, call us at 412-350-5353, or email us at acll@carnegielibrary.org. We will be happy to help point you in the right direction or connect you with one of our Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh colleagues, or a Community Resource Specialist who may also be able to assist.
Lastly, please be sure to take a look at our “Legal Information for the General Public” Library Guide. Here you will find not only information on Legal Service Organizations in Allegheny County, but also information about the different court Divisions and what it means if you choose to represent yourself in court.
At Allegheny County Law Library, we are committed to providing legal information for the public good, doing our part to provide pro bono resources for our community each and every day.