Bay Area Volunteer Lawyers Program

Bay Area Legal Services, Inc. - 070052

Abstract Number: 070052

July 2007

Established in 1982, the Bay Area Volunteer Lawyers Program (BAVLP) coordinates, administers, and supports numerous pro bono projects, thereby providing a wide variety of pro bono opportunities to local attorneys. Through its various projects, private and government attorneys provide legal information, advice, help with court-approved forms, represent indigent individuals, and assist nonprofits and community groups that help low-income families or serve poor communities. Recruitment methods by BAVLP include presentations at law firms, corporate offices, government offices, and local bar association section meetings. BAVLP also recruits local attorneys through Bay Area's website, which provides information about pro bono assistance, volunteer lawyer opportunities, and trainings.  In addition, new volunteers can enroll on-line at the website.    BAVLP maintains and regularly updates a detailed volunteer attorney data base that includes the legal expertise, language ability, types of cases handled, preferences, and availability of its volunteer attorneys.

The outstanding pro bono efforts of local volunteer lawyers are recognized in several ways. Volunteers are honored at an annual pro bono service awards luncheon that is jointly sponsored by BAVLP and the local bar association. BAVLP coordinates the luncheon, nominates award winners, and publishes a special program and a column in the association's "Lawyer Magazine" to recognize award recipients. All pro bono programs in the region annually recognize volunteer attorneys who have donated 20 hours or more by presenting them with a letter of recognition from the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court and a lapel pin. Finally, BAVLP regularly nominates outstanding volunteer attorneys for local, state, and national pro bono service awards. In particular, all of the pro bono programs in the region annually nominate an outstanding volunteer attorney for the Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award. The annual statewide award confers recognition by the Florida Bar and the Florida Supreme Court on one private lawyer in Florida for outstanding pro bono service. The award is presented by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Florida.

Contact Information

Sheila Seig

Pro Bono Manager

Bay Area Volunteer Lawyers Program

(813) 226-8685, ext. 224

sseig@bals.org

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