Need Rises for Pro Bono Help as Resources Fall
The Orlando Sentinel sat down recently with our friends at Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida to learn about the state of client access to legal assistance.
“People who were able to afford an attorney can no longer afford one now in these economic times with people losing their jobs,” said Lena Smith, pro bono manager for Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida. “We have a limited number of attorneys, but our client base is growing.” …
One telling number: Community Legal Services of Mid Florida has seen a 700 percent jump in people seeking advice on bankruptcy in the 12 counties it serves.
In a report released last year, The Florida Bar committee on pro bono work found that only 52 percent of attorneys are providing free legal help, a rate that been stagnant since 2002.
Florida attorneys are asked to provide 20 hours annually of legal help pro bono (without compensation), or to pay $350 to legal aid organizations.