LEGAL HELP FOR THE POOR
                                       
Legal Services Offices

   Most communities are served by one or more legal services program
   offices. These programs exist to provide free legal services in civil
   (not criminal) cases to individuals who have little or no income.
   Services are provided by staff lawyers and paralegals who have
   expertise with those types of cases most commonly encountered by
   individuals living below or near the poverty level. Eligibility for
   service is determined, in part, by income guidelines. For example, to
   be eligible a household of one would need to have an adjusted gross
   income less than $9,338 and a household of four an adjusted gross
   income of less than $18,938.
   
   Because of the high demand for services, and limited staff resources,
   legal services programs cannot serve everyone who needs assistance.
   Programs are only able to accept a limited number and type of cases.
   You should consult the community services pages of your local phone
   book or look in the white pages under "Legal Services of..." for the
   name and number of the legal services program nearest you.
   
Pro Bono Programs

   Another way to find a lawyer to provide free legal representation in
   civil cases is by contacting a pro bono program -- also known as
   volunteer lawyer programs. Pro bono programs are operated by state,
   county or local bar associations; by legal services programs; by other
   agencies in the community or independently. They use local attorneys
   who have agreed to provide free legal representation to eligible
   persons referred by the pro bono program. There are tens of thousands
   of attorneys throughout the country who volunteer their services
   through these programs.
   
   Like legal services offices, pro bono programs generally have
   financial and case type limitations. Certain pro bono offices serve
   only one client group (e.g. people with AIDS) or provide assistance
   for only one type of case (e.g. bankruptcy). Other programs provide
   legal representation for a wide range of legal problems.
   
   The American Bar Association Center for Pro Bono has developed a
   Directory of local pro bono programs.  The ABA does
   not operate, sponsor or warrant the quality of these programs, but
   provides you with guidance in locating a program as a public service.
   

   American Bar Association
   750 North Lake Shore Drive
   Chicago, IL 60611
   Telephone: 312-988-5000
   Internet Email: info@abanet.org
   Copyright 1995 American Bar Association All rights reserved