Missouri pro bono deskbook

Through the project, private attorneys agree to accept cases on a pro bono basis representing the homeless, senior citizens and others in need of, but unable to afford, legal assistance. Solo practitioners as well as members of small, medium and large law firms and in-house corporate counsel make up the program's more than volunteers.

Approximately 35 percent of our volunteers are providing legal assistance to clients on a regular basis. Since , VAP is has helped more that 13, clients to secure life's basics including habitable shelter, a safe haven from abusers, health care and education. Mid-Missouri Legal Services MMLS is a c 3 not-for-profit civil legal services program that serves low-income people in 11 counties in central Missouri. Its mission is to ensure access to justice for low-income people who could not otherwise afford an attorney.

Its primary practice areas include family, domestic violence, health, housing, consumer, public benefits, income maintenance, education and employment law. In special situations, persons living outside of this area may be served, if the jurisdiction is within the area or can be handled through pro se assistance limited scope representation.

We do not rely solely on tables of numbers to determine need but also assesses human and community factors. For example, although a person may not be presently in poverty, failure to provide assistance may trigger a series of dominoes. For details see visit the Samaritan Center website.

Louis community, the Family Court of St. The DV Court centralizes the handling of domestic violence Order of Protection cases in order to better achieve tangible outcomes for both victims and offenders. DV Court staff and judges place an emphasis upon judicial monitoring and community collaboration in order to enhance victim safety and impose offender accountability. For more information, visit the St. Louis County Domestic Violence Court webpage.

VLAA offers legal and accounting assistance to artists and arts organizations with arts-related legal and accounting problems. Volunteer lawyers work one-on-one with clients regarding arts-related legal issues, recruit volunteer lawyers, accept speaking engagements for VLAA , write or edit VLAA publications or participate in the Arts Resolutions Services program as a mediator; law students may work on research projects, working independently or in small groups or assist with administrative tasks.

With the growing older population amid an economic downturn, seniors frequently encounter the need for legal services, such as assistance in obtaining benefits, dealing with foreclosure or help with long-term care planning.

The Missouri Seniors' Legal Helpline is a collaborative effort of the legal and aging networks. Financial management skills:. Collaboration between Legal Care and Legal Services:. When the matter is within the scope and resources of Mid-Missouri Legal Services, referral of the matter would be made to them.

Special information and resources for attorneys:. Areas of law in which assistance is offered: All civil matters. Tax assistance: Through volunteers Legal Care provides assistance to low-income persons on federal and Missouri income returns in order to help them obtain the credits e. Collaboration between Legal Care and Legal Services: When the matter is within the scope and resources of Mid-Missouri Legal Services, referral of the matter would be made to them.

Special information and resources for attorneys: Representation is between you and the client: We expect that you wish to reserve final judgment on whether or not you will accept the applicant as a client and whether as a pro bono or a reduced fee arrangement until after you have interviewed the applicant. Compensation: Cases referred to volunteer attorneys may involve legal services without compensation, reduced fee services or limited scope representation.

Samaritan Center does not charge clients for any service. Agreement on a reduced fee will be between the attorney and client. The Legal Care program will only facilitate this communication. Occasionally an applicant may present a matter appropriate for contingent fee services.

When that occurs Legal Care will give the applicant information on attorneys practicing in the appropriate area of law who also participates in the Legal Care program.

Legal Care will pay expenses from the donated funds which are pre-approved. Donations to the Legal Care fund are tax deductible. Types of expense considered for reimbursement are: filing fees, document copying, recording fees, out-of-town travel mileage, etc.

Attorneys are expected to use every available means to reduce or avoid fees and costs such as in forma pauperis applications etc. Information on anticipated expenses should be sent to the Samaritan Center by mail, email, or fax for pre-approval. Only pre-approved expenses will be paid. We will also advance expenses. Limited scope representation: The new Supreme Court rules on limited scope representation greatly facilitate pro bono representation.

We encourage attorneys to use this tool. The client is helped to represent themselves to the extent of their abilities. Limited scope saves time and resources. For more details see the Deskbook for Pro bono Attorneys. Support resources: The facilities of the Samaritan Center are available to volunteer attorneys accepting clients from Legal Care during times that the staff is present, i.

This manual was prepared to assist Missourians who are or may be affected by disasters. It was also prepared to assist Missouri lawyers whose clients may be facing legal issues new to the lawyers or unique to disasters. This manual is designed to assist and train those volunteer lawyers who graciously agree to help disaster survivors through on-site assistance.

A Practical Guide for Survivors ed. The mission of the Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service is to ensure access to justice through the expansion and enhancement of the delivery of legal and other law-related services to the underserved through volunteer efforts of legal professionals nationwide. The Committee fosters the development of pro bono programs and activities by law firms, bar associations, corporate legal departments, law schools, government attorney offices and others; analyzes the scope and function of pro bono programs; and proposes and reviews policy that affects lawyers' ability to provide pro bono legal services.

This website is designed to provide information and resources for those involved in family law matters in the state of Missouri. Topics include the litigant awareness program, getting a lawyer, stopping abuse and stalking, resources by county, court staff assistant, dispute resolution, legal forms, legal terms and FAQ page.

According to research done by the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law, most young people that enter the juvenile or adult justice system has been exposed to violence and other traumatic events, often experiencing trauma multiple times. Further research also shows that the greater the degree of exposure, the more likely the child will suffer physically, socially and emotionally.

This research led to the creation of this free checklist, available online and intended for use in the justice system. The goal of this tool kit is to increase access to justice for people living at the margins of society by providing you, the judges of Missouri, with the tools and incentives to encourage and support pro bono legal representation.

Missouri Attorney General Publications. Topics include landlord tenant, discrimination, eviction, sweepstakes, telemarketing, loans and credit scams, payday lending, pre-need funeral issues, identity theft and adoption. Missouri Bar Public Information Brochures.