Missouri Bar Pro Bono Webpage

Many lawyers feel a profound sense of responsibility to do pro bono work and most find they gain great personal satisfaction from doing so. The great majority of lawyers provide pro bono service of some nature. The need for more involvement, especially in helping those who cannot afford legal representation, is great. This page offers information and resources to help Missouri lawyers fulfil their professional obligation to render public interested legal services.

Rule 4-6.1: Voluntary Pro Bono Publico Service

A lawyer should render public interest legal service. A lawyer may discharge this responsibility by providing professional services at no fee or a reduced fee to persons of limited means or to public service or charitable groups or organizations; by service in activities for improving the law, the legal system, or the legal profession; and by financial support for organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means.

Click here to read the full text of the rule

 

Missouri Bar Asks Lawyers to Report Pro Bono Hours Annually

Help Track Our Legal Profession's Commitment for Justice to All

Pro Bono Image 1Many Missouri lawyers generously help ensure that justice extends to those less fortunate by making pro bono work an integral part of their practices. However, this honorable commitment often lacks the recognition it deserves within the legal profession and is for the most part unknown to the general public.

The Missouri Bar hopes to change this by asking lawyers to voluntarily report the number of hours they commit to pro bono work annually. This reporting will provide valuable information about the collective and individual pro bono efforts of Missouri lawyers, help the Bar better recognize these efforts and inspire other lawyers to perform pro bono services. You will play a vital role in this effort by annually reporting your pro bono hours using this site. We have made it quick and easy to do. Just log in with your members-only bar number and pin and complete the brief form. (Report Your Hours Here)

Missouri Bar Pro Bono
"Wall of Fame"

Lawyers who report 40 hours or more of pro bono service through legal representation to low-income individuals or to an organization who serves low-income individuals by the March 17, 2012 deadline will be recognized with the following:
  • A Pro Bono Wall of Fame certificate suitable for framing.
  • A Missouri Bar Pro Bono Wall of Fame lapel pin embossed with the exclusive Wall of Fame “40” logo.
  • Your name prominently displayed on The Missouri Bar Pro Bono Wall of Fame (published on the Missouri Bar Pro Bono website).
  • A link to the “Wall” will be added to The Missouri Bar’s main website. The names of the lawyers selected for this honor will also be recognized in the Missouri Bar’s weekly electronic publication, ESQ. and the Bar’s Precedent magazine.
  • In addition to the public recognition described above, the names of all of the members of this year’s Pro Bono Wall of Fame will be publicly displayed at the Spring and Fall Committee meetings and at the Missouri Bar Annual Meeting luncheon. And all pro bono leaders who attend the Annual Meeting will also receive special recognition with a “Pro Bono Wall of Fame” ribbon on their name badge.

Are You a Lawyer Who is Looking for Pro Bono Opportunities?

The Missouri Bar Pro Bono Website Can Help.

 Pro Bono Website Header

 It is intended to be an easy, convenient resource for lawyers to:

  • Search opportunities within affiliate entities to use their skills and knowledge to provide pro bono legal assistance to Missouri citizens who cannot afford an attorney.

It is also intended be a host site for approved affiliate entities to:

  • List both global and specific pro bono needs and opportunities for lawyers in Missouri, categorized by substantive legal area, geographic area, time-frame, and organization.

In addition, this site provides a prominent spot to encourage, recognize and offer training for lawyers who provide pro bono service. Content on this site includes:

  • Information to encourage lawyers to serve the community and profession through pro bono services
  • Prominent articles and content recognizing lawyers who perform pro bono work throughout the state
  • Links to information about resources that make it easier for lawyers to perform pro bono services
  • Opportunities for training and support that will help make pro bono service easier and which is likely to improve a lawyer regular practice as well
  • News and information about the legal pro bono community across Missouri and throughout the U.S.

Click here to visit the Pro Bono Website