Pro Bono

In communities throughout the state, individuals and families are being turned away from the justice system because they can not afford to pay for legal help. Missouri's four Legal Aid Offices have a long history of providing quality representation to people with civil legal problems who meet minimum income guidelines but they simply don't have enough money or staff to meet the demand for their services. Missouri's Legal Services programs need your help to continue the struggle to provide equal access under the law.

Like other legal services programs across the country, Missouri's have been dependent on federal funds from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). But LSC's budget has been cut repeatedly. For the entire state of Missouri, there are now only 66 staff attorneys at Legal Services offices to meet the pressing civil legal needs of low income individuals and families.

As a lawyer, you can help the state's Legal Services programs fulfill the promise of equal justice by volunteering to accept cases on a pro bono basis and by donating money that goes directly to the Legal Services program.

Pro Bono: A Lawyer's Commitment, a Profession's Responsibility

Pro bono service is an integral part of the legal profession. In America, the tradition of standing up for those who cannot defend themselves is a part of our national heritage. It is a hallmark of our freedom, and it is the measure of our commitment to others less fortunate than us. Lawyers who provide pro bono help fulfill a commitment to individuals as well as to our system of government. Through pro bono service, lawyers ensure that justice is for all, not just the prosperous.

Lawyers have always done their share of pro bono service, sometimes by accepting clients who can pay nothing; other times, by accepting clients at reduced rates. About 5 percent of The Missouri Bar membership has already signed up to accept Legal Services clients through The Missouri Bar s Pro Bono Program. Countless other lawyers provide pro bono services but aren't yet part of a formal program.

You Can Make a Difference

By volunteering to accept pro bono cases referred by your nearest Legal Services office, you can make an important difference in the lives of low-income clients the elderly on fixed incomes, the working poor, the disabled, the abused, and the children of the poor. For people of limited means, a lawyer's help can mean that an unjust eviction is halted, that an unfair contract won't be enforced, that a child can remain safely in the custody of a caring parent and not an abusive one.

In state after state, surveys indicate that only about 20 percent of low-income individuals legal needs are being met. A survey conducted in Missouri showed that low income parents had the greatest number of unmet legal needs. The Public Policy Research Centers at the University of Missouri-St. Louis assessed legal needs among indigent Missourians, and estimated that in a recent three-year period approximately 345,000 low-income people needed legal assistance but did not go to a lawyer. The main reason for not using a lawyer or trying to find one was the belief that they couldn't afford to pay for legal help.

The Legal Services Corporation believes that to provide a bare minimum of legal services, two lawyers are needed for every 10,000 people living below federal poverty levels. To provide this minimal access in Missouri, it would take 133 full-time staff attorneys -- 67 more attorneys than are currently on staff at Legal Services offices. Missouri's Legal Services programs need an additional $3 million each year if they are to meet even this minimal guideline.

Over the past decade, federal funding for the Legal Services Corporation has decreased drastically. In the past few years, the funding has dropped even more sharply, from $400 million in 1995 to $283 million in 1997. This decline is expected to continue as the move to downsize government programs progresses. Legal Services has also been hit by another problem: restrictions imposed by Congress. These restrictions limit the types of cases Legal Services programs can accept. The restrictions also prevent Legal Services programs from collecting attorney fees from opposing parties, even when federal or state laws would normally permit the awarding of fees.

How to Volunteer

To volunteer, fill out and return this volunteer form, making sure that you indicate the types of cases you can accept. The Missouri Bar will forward your form to the Legal Services office nearest your location.

What to Expect

The Legal Services office screens all cases, then matches volunteer lawyers with appropriate clients. Volunteer lawyers will be asked to take no more than two cases a year. While working as volunteers, lawyers are covered for malpractice under Legal Service's insurance. Paperwork will be kept to an absolute minimum, and volunteer lawyers can receive assistance with their cases from a Legal Services Coordinator. In addition, The Missouri Bar is preparing educational materials which will be provided to lawyers who accept cases from Legal Services programs.

Legal Services in Missouri

The LSC provides funds to four Missouri Legal Services programs. Each program has its own board, consisting of lawyers, judges and clients. The boards determine local priorities, deciding which civil legal needs are most compelling and critical in their communities. The boards also determine the services they can provide. The following is a list of offices and the counties they serve.

Legal Aid of Western Missouri
1125 Grand Avenue, Suite 600
Kansas City, MO (offices in St. Joseph, Warrensburg and Joplin)

Counties served: Andrew, Atchison, Barton, Bates, Benton, Buchanan, Caldwell, Camden, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Hickory, Holt, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Lafayette, Linn, Livingston, McDonald, Mercer, Morgan, Newton, Nodaway, Pettis, Platte, Putnam, Ray, St. Clair, Saline, Sullivan, Vernon, Worth.

Legal Services of Southern Missouri
2872 S. Meadowbrook
Springfield, MO 65807

Counties served: Barry, Bolinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Cedar, Christian, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Dunklin, Gasconade, Greene, Howell, Iron, Laclede, Lawrence, Madison, Maries, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stoddard, Stone, Taney, Texas, Wayne, Webster, Wright.

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
4232 Forest Park Ave.
St. Louis, MO (office also in Hannibal)

Counties served: Adair, Clark, Franklin, Jefferson, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Ralls, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, St. Charles, St. Louis (city and county), Warren, Washington.

Mid-Missouri Legal Services Corporation
205 East Forest Ave.
Columbia, MO

Counties served: Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Chariton, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Miller, Moniteau, Osage, Randolph.

Justice First

The first enumerated purpose listed in the preamble of the U.S. Constitution is "to establish justice." Providing justice is the mandate of a free society, one of the primary purposes for which a free people organize into the collective organization of a government.