Pro Bono Project

Co-sponsored by the Georgia Legal Services Program and the Georgia State Bar, the Pro Bono Project is headquartered at the Bar and involves private attorneys in representation of the poor in civil matters. The Project also provides information to lawyers on what programs are available when they want to volunteer. The Project gives technical assistance to local bar associations when they want to develop or revise a pro bono program.

Michael L. Monahan, Director
mikem@gabar.org
(404)527-8762

Deborah Chapman, Administrative Assistant
deborahc@gabar.org
(404) 527-8763

Equal justice under the law is perhaps the most inspiring ideal of our society. It is fundamental that justice should be the same, in substance and availability without regard to economic status.  -Lewis Powell Jr. Justice, U.S. Supreme Court

What is the Pro Bono Project?
The Pro Bono Project, created by the State Bar of Georgia in 1982 in conjunction with the Georgia Legal Services Program, is a project which assists local bar associations, individual private attorneys and communities in developing pro bono private attorney/bar involvement programs in their areas for the delivery of legal services to the poor. The project also receives support from the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism and the Georgia Bar Foundation.

Why Was it Created?
Our judicial system cannot function without the availability of counsel to ensure that all people have effective access to the legal system. The need for legal assistance by low-income Georgians to resolve life-shattering problems is enormous. Legal intervention is often the critical factor that enables a family to remain together or to receive vital financial support. In even the best of times, Georgia Legal Services and Atlanta Legal Aid can serve only a small fraction of the persons who meet program standards and who need legal assistance. Thus, private attorney participation in the delivery of legal services to the poor is absolutely critical.

Volunteer
We encourage members of the Bar to join our statewide volunteer Website at: www.GeorgiaAdvocates.org/GOJC to learn more about volunteer opportunities throughout the state.