Pro bono volunteer opportunities

The Missouri Bar helps connect Missouri lawyers with opportunities to volunteer their time and legal knowledge to help Missourians in need, especially those whose incomes do not allow them to obtain necessary representation through other means.

Read stories about how #MOLawyersHelp their communities and pro bono clients.
 
#MOLawyersHelp Blog Posts

Missouri.FreeLegalAnswers.org
This online legal clinic allows Missourians with basic, civil legal concerns to ask questions—and Missouri lawyers can answer them at a time and place that fits their schedule.  Visit the website Missouri.FreeLegalAnswers.org  to sign up as a volunteer lawyer today.

The Missouri Bar - Disaster Legal Services
When disasters occur, a toll-free telephone number -- (800) 829-4128 -- is established at The Missouri Bar to receive requests for legal help from those affected by the disaster. Callers will be asked for a brief description of their problem or question as well as a return phone number. Volunteer lawyers are asked to return a call within 48 hours and provide free legal help. They cannot represent callers in court or accept the caller as a paying client. After talking with a volunteer lawyer, callers may be referred to available resources if they decide they would like a lawyer to represent them. Details/Volunteer Form

St. Francis Community Services - Catholic Legal Assistance Ministry
Catholic Legal Assistance Ministry, a program of St. Francis Community Services, has provided civil legal aid to clients at or below 150% of the federal poverty level in the St. Louis metropolitan area and surrounding counties for more than thirty years. Details

Kansas City Volunteer Lawyers & Accountants for the Arts
KCVLAA is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that provides legal and accounting assistance to qualifying artists and arts organizations from all creative disciplines.  Our ArtSmarts program provides seminars in arts law to help artists avoid common pitfalls in their careers. Law students can volunteer individually or as a group. Details

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (LSEM) is a 501(c)(3) organization providing legal assistance to the low-income community in 21 counties of eastern Missouri. LSEM handles civil issues impacting housing, family law, public benefits, consumer fraud, healthcare, children’s well-being, special education and relief from domestic violence. In addition, services address the specific needs of immigrant and refugee families, veterans, community economic development and small-business and minority entrepreneurs. Details

Legal Services of Southern Missouri
Legal Services of Southern Missouri (LSSM) is a 501(c)(3) corporation committed to equal access to justice.   Their mission is to provide quality legal representation and advice to low-income persons ensuring equal access to justice in civil matters. Details

Legal Aid of Western MO Volunteer Attorney Project
The Volunteer Attorney Project (VAP) is the pro bono component of Legal Aid of Western Missouri. Legal Aid of Western Missouri (LAWMO) is a 501(c)(3) organization. Through VAP, hundreds of area residents receive pro bono legal counsel or representation for problems involving consumer law, such as unfair sales practices, contract disputes and bankruptcy; dissolutions of marriage and other family law matters; housing issues, from landlord-tenant disputes to real estate; governmental benefits, including Social Security and unemployment compensation; and various other civil legal matters.  Details

Mid-Missouri Legal Services Corp
Mid-Missouri Legal Services (MMLS) is a 501(c)(3) program that serves low-income people in 11 counties in central Missouri, including:  Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Chariton, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Miller, Moniteau, Osage, and Randolph. Its primary practice areas include family, domestic violence, health, housing, consumer, public benefits, income maintenance, education and employment law.  Details

The Missouri Senior Legal Helpline
Seniors frequently need for legal services, such as assistance in obtaining benefits, dealing with foreclosure or help with long-term care planning. Many older people’s legal concerns require only brief information or advice to avoid pitfalls that threaten their independence, health and financial security. The Missouri Senior Legal Helpline consists of a statewide toll-free number and an online system that can provide legal information to all Missouri seniors and offers pro bono or reduced fee legal advice or brief representation to Missourians over 60 in economic or social need. Details

Missouri State Public Defender System/Missouri Coalition for the Right to Counsel
The Missouri Public Defender System (MSPD) is the organization responsible for providing legal representation to all indigent citizens accused of or convicted of crimes in Missouri.  Founded in 2017, the Missouri Coalition for the Right to Counsel coordinates and arranges training for lawyers interested in volunteering to receive case assignments from MSPD. Volunteer lawyers have a realistic opportunity to gain priceless “first chair” jury trial experience in the state circuit courts, while helping overworked and underpaid public defenders. For more information, visit the Missouri Public Defender website.

Missouri Veterans Commission’s Estate Planning for Veterans Program
The Missouri Veterans Commission’s Estate Planning for Veterans Program (MVCEPV) hosts estate-planning clinics throughout the state at which veterans and their spouses can get a simple will, trust, powers of attorney, beneficiary deed and/or advanced directives free of charge. For more information, contact Scotty Allen, general counsel for the Missouri Veterans Commission, at 573-522-4224 or scotty.allen@mvc.dps.mo.gov.

Samaritan Center Legal Care
Samaritan Center Legal Care primarily serves people in the counties surrounding Jefferson City including Cole, Moniteau, Miller, Osage, Maries and Callaway.  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). The program is primarily for persons whose household income is at or below 150% of federal poverty level. Details

St. Louis County Adult Abuse/Domestic Violence Court
The Family Court of  St. Louis County's Adult Abuse/Domestic Violence Court centralizes the handling of domestic violence Order of Protection cases in to better achieve tangible outcomes for both victims and offenders. DV Court staff and judges emphasize judicial monitoring and community collaboration to enhance victim safety and impose offender accountability. Details

Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts
VLAA offers legal and accounting assistance to artists and arts organizations with arts-related legal and accounting problems. Details