Pro Bono Programs
Providing equal access to justice and high quality legal representation to all Delawareans is central to the mission of the Delaware State Bar. The Pro Bono Coordination Program promotes pro bono representation and encourages Delaware lawyers to support legal services programs.
Please note that the Pro Bono Coordination Program does not match clients with pro bono attorneys. The Pro Bono Coordination Program is a source of information, resources and assistance to support, facilitate, and expand the delivery of, and encourage lawyers to do, pro bono work and help them connect with opportunities that meet their needs. Our programs, projects and services help pro bono advocates address the legal needs of the underserved.
The ACLU of Delaware, established in 1961, is the state affiliate of the national ACLU. Through education, litigation, lobbying and community outreach, we work to preserve and strengthen the individual rights and liberties of every person in Delaware. Volunteer attorneys work with our staff attorney to represent clients in all aspects of constitutional law, including free speech, religious freedom, police conduct, prisoners' rights, discrimination, voting rights and many other issues. In addition to direct client representation, the ACLU of Delaware provides amicus curiae briefs on constitutional issues. If you would like to work with us as a volunteer attorney or if you have a case that raises constitutional issues suitable for an amicus brief, please contact Drew Fennell at dfennell@aclu-de.org or call (302) 654-5326, ext. 102. For a complete description of our legal program, please see our website at www.aclu-de.org.
The Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI) was founded in May 1946 after the 1945 ABA meeting by Collins J. Seitz, William Poole, and Caleb Boggs and was initially staffed by one attorney. CLASI currently has offices in all three counties and has three distinct programs. Our Elder Law Program provides civil legal services to people age 60 and over; our Disabilities Law Program provides advocacy services to Delaware residents with physical or mental disabilities on a wide range of issues including government benefits, accessibility, and mental health treatment. Our Poverty Law Program represents clients on cases regarding government benefits, landlord-tenant (specializing in subsidized housing), domestic violence (Kent and Sussex), and immigration. More information on our programs and priorities are available on our website, www.declasi.org.
CLASI offers pro bono opportunities in each of our three offices, in all of our three programs. Lawyers can volunteer with us on a long term basis, or provide co-counsel support on individual cases, particularly when cases involve specific subject area or court procedure expertise. To volunteer, please contact Debbie Gottschalk (dgottschalk@declasi.org or 575-0660, ext. 239) or Dan Atkins (datkins@declasi.org or 575-0660, ext. 229).
The Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council is a 501 (c) 3 organization, whose mission is to ensure equal access to credit and capital for the underserved populations and communities throughout Delaware through education, outreach, advocacy, and legislation. The Standards for Excellence Institute® awarded the Seal of Excellence to DCRAC after it successfully completed the voluntary certification process. DCRAC is the fifth non-profit to receive this Seal from the National Institute. Receiving the Seal is recognition that DCRAC operates with the highest standards of accountability and ethics.
Our Low Income Tax Clinic has volunteer opportunities. Our clients have a controversy with the IRS. The nature of these controversies range from withheld returns, SSDI levy, requesting CNC, negotiating installment agreements, OIC, EIC and other audits, etc. To date, we have not promoted our clinic to the tax court due to resource limitations. Tax court representation is a distinct possibility. In addition, we help non-filers file their returns and many instances help file 1040Xs when the taxpayer has made an error by claiming EIC. To volunteer, please contact Rashmi Rangan, Esq., Executive Director, 654-5084.
Delaware Volunteer Legal Services (DVLS) is a non-profit corporation established by the Delaware State Bar Association in 1981. Our mission is to provide quality pro bono legal services to low-income Delawareans with meritorious civil legal problems. DVLS volunteers and staff assist clients with Family law (for victims of domestic violence and those with severe disabilities, Guardianship, Wills/Advanced Care Directives/Power of Attorney for those over 60 or terminally ill), Personal injury defense, Bankruptcy, Housing, and Consumer Law. We also welcome volunteers in any other civil area in which an attorney has an interest (e.g. Veterans’ benefits) as long as it involves representing individuals and not entities, the individuals are within our income guidelines, and the case is non fee-generating.
DVLS works closely with the Widener University School of Law and its Delaware Civil Clinic (DCC). We offer volunteer attorneys the support of law students for research, drafting of legal documents and service of subpoenas. We also provide mentor attorneys to volunteers who request this assistance. DVLS offers free CLE training sessions and free professional liability coverage. Volunteer attorneys can also receive CLE credit for pro bono work.
Regularly admitted Delaware attorneys or in-house attorneys admitted under Rule 55.1 (Certificate of Limited Practice) who wish to volunteer should contact Tom McDonough at (302) 478-8680 ext. 209 or tmcdonough@dvls.org.
The Office of the Child Advocate (“OCA”) is a statutorily created State agency, which among other things, is charged with providing legal representation to Delaware’s abused, neglected and dependent children. Most of these children are in the legal custody of the State and placed in foster care. OCA represents almost 700 foster children statewide through volunteer attorneys and full-time Deputy Child Advocates.
Delaware attorneys or corporate attorneys admitted under Supreme Court Rule 55.1 are able to volunteer, and join the more than 400 Delaware lawyers representing children in this State. Volunteers are provided with an initial 2 hour training, have regular access to the OCA Staff (including the Pro Bono Coordinator) for support and guidance, and are indemnified from liability under the OCA statute.
Volunteers can receive CLE credit for their pro bono work in addition to being able to make a positive contribution to a child’s life.
For more information on the Office of the Child Advocate and its pro bono opportunities, please visit http://courts.delaware.gov/childadvocate.