To raise awareness to the need to provide free legal services to the disadvantaged, the Jefferson County Bar Association will recognize National Celebrate Pro Bono Week on Oct. 25-29.
The celebration recognizes the valuable work lawyers do throughout the year, without fee, to represent those who cannot afford civil legal assistance. It will also serve as an opportunity to recruit additional attorneys to meet the needs of the low-income residents of Southeast Texas.
Although 207 members of the local legal community donated 2,211 hours in free legal services last year, a huge unmet need for legal assistance remains for disadvantaged Southeast Texans.
Therefore, over the next year, the JCBA Pro Bono program will make a strong effort to educate and retain additional volunteers in the counties of Jefferson, Hardin, Liberty and Orange by making personal phone calls and hosting targeted continuing legal education classes for pro bono volunteers.
Celebrate Pro Bono week was devised by the American Bar Association to bring attention to two critical circumstances: the increasing need for pro bono services as economic conditions worsen, and the unprecedented response of attorneys to meet this need.
For additional information on Celebrate Pro Bono Week or how to obtain free legal assistance in Southeast Texas, please contact the Jefferson County Bar Association Pro Bono Program (409)839-2332 or probono@jcba.org