Connecticut’s Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys (Rule 6.1) defines Pro Bono Publico legal services as:

“… 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."

3 Ways to Provide Pro Bono Service

CBA Pro Bono Connect

Get connected with one of Connecticut’s civil legal services providers, based on your expressed pro bono interests, to provide civic legal services to Connecticut residents in need.

Connections to training is also available.

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Small Business Clinic


Help Connecticut’s entrepreneurs and small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by providing free, limited-scope legal advice during 45-minute telephone or video calls.


 

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CT Free Legal Answers


CT Free Legal Answers is an online civil legal service for people who cannot afford to pay for an attorney. Attorneys will answer questions through an online portal.


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Lawyers in the Libraries

Provides pro bono legal services to members of the public at the Public Library of New London and Ferguson Library in Stamford in the areas of landlord/tenant, immigration law, family law, employment, consumer rights, and personal injury. 

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Pro Bono Information

Connecticut Legal Aid Organizations

There are more than 20 legal aid organizations that meet the legal needs of some of Connecticut's most vulnerable residents.  







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Malpractice Insurance

The Connecticut Bar Association (CBA)  provides malpractice insurance coverage only for volunteer attorneys engaged in pro bono services for CBA sponsored projects. You will need to inquire with the legal aid organizations on how their malpractice coverage applies to your pro bono services for projects sponsored by them. Many of Connecticut’s legal aid programs provide malpractice coverage with a case referral.  You will have the opportunity to discuss this with the referring legal aid organization before deciding to accept the referral.

Emeritus Pro Bono Attorney Program

The Emeritus Pro Bono Attorney Program is for retired and non-practicing attorneys to engage in pro bono work under the supervision of a legal services organization or with a CBA sponsored pro bono project to further narrow the access to justice gap.


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Pro Bono Committee

The Pro Bono Committee has a service that is an integral part of the mission of the Connecticut Bar Association and each individual lawyer’s responsibility. As such, the CBA Pro Bono Committee should strive to “promote the public interest through the advancement of justice and the protection of liberty,” and more specifically, “facilitate the delivery of competent legal services to the public particularly those in greatest need.” Constitution of the CBA, Art. II. The committee should investigate, implement, and otherwise provide opportunities for members to render public interest legal service, which includes “providing professional legal services at no fee or a reduced fee to persons of limited means” or such service as defined in the Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 6.1.



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Pro Bono Events

Pro Bono News

About the Need for Pro Bono Service

We have a serious access to justice gap in Connecticut, now amplified by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At any given time in Connecticut:

  • More than 90% of tenants face eviction from their homes without the assistance of counsel, and typically must litigate against a represented party
  • More than 85% of family cases involve at least one self-represented party
  • 73% of homeowners face foreclosure without the assistance of counsel

Thousands of Connecticut families face serious benefits, consumer, education, family, housing and immigration issues without the legal expertise necessary to navigate those complicated and overwhelming problems.

Donate Now!

If you can’t take on a pro bono matter right now, consider making a donation to one (or all) of Connecticut’s legal services providers. 

Your support will go a long way towards ensuring access to justice for Connecticut’s most vulnerable residents.

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