Community Building with Attorney Resources

Legal Lid of Central Texas Texas C-BAR -020034

Abstract Number: 020034

July 2002

Texas C-BAR was formed in 2000 by Legal Aid of Central Texas to provide pro bono legal services to nonprofit, community-based organizations developing affordable housing and other much-needed community infrastructures for low-income communities. Legal Aid of Central Texas has more than 20 years of experience providing legal assistance to community development organizations.

Texas C-BAR is modeled on established pro bono referral programs for community-based nonprofits around the country, including programs in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Georgia, Detroit, Boston, and New York. Community development pro bono projects have been endorsed by organizations such as the ABA's Section of Business Law and the American Corporate Counsel Association in recognition of the fact that these programs provide business lawyers with opportunities to volunteer their expertise in ways that many litigation-oriented pro bono programs do not offer.

Texas C-BAR provides pro bono legal assistance and legal support for community-based nonprofits that are pursuing affordable housing and other community development initiatives in low income communities. Due to lack of resources, many of these nonprofits are unable to pursue important projects, and those that do often go forward without appropriate legal assistance. Texas C-BAR addresses this need by placing transactional attorneys on discrete matters relating to the nonprofits' organizational formation and development activities. Texas C-BAR has two primary goals:

• Provide free legal assistance to community-based nonprofits in Texas that serve low-income communities and disadvantaged persons.
• Provide transactional attorneys with non-litigation pro bono opportunities and with resources to effectively represent their pro bono clients.

To learn more about this project, access Texas C-BAR's website at: http://www.texascbar.org/.

Contact Information:

Heather K. Way
Director
Texas C-BAR
2201 Post Road, Suite 104
Austin, TX 78704
Phone: (512) 447-7707, ext. 370
txcbar@lact.org

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