Convenient. User-friendly. Customizable. These are just a few of the adjectives that describe Pro Bono Ohio, a new online platform from the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation that helps connect volunteer lawyers with pro bono opportunities around the state.
Pro Bono Ohio centralizes and streamlines pro bono opportunities in a user-friendly database that the legal community can access for free. Volunteers can search for matters that align with their interests, location, skill sets, and availability, and connect directly with legal aid and nonprofit civil legal service providers.
Attorneys who visit Pro Bono Ohio will discover a range of opportunities. Attorneys can volunteer in person at a monthly brief advice clinic, take a case for full representation, or spend a couple of hours as a virtual volunteer. Designed with justice technology company Paladin, Pro Bono Ohio ensures a perfect pro bono opportunity for every attorney.
Lawyers at the Ohio State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting on May 13 at the Ohio Statehouse had an opportunity to try out Pro Bono Ohio.
“Especially for young people who are looking for ways to get involved, this is really fantastic,” said Jan Allen Baughman, an attorney who regularly volunteers with the Ohio Justice Bus.
Pro Bono Ohio also makes posting a pro bono opportunity simple for providers. Legal aid and civil legal service organizations across Ohio can use their Paladin accounts to list pro bono opportunities on the site and seamlessly track and manage volunteer activity. Attorneys should check back frequently, as providers post new opportunities regularly.
“This is the first time Ohio has had a single site that centralizes pro bono opportunities for both volunteers and providers,” said Sophia Chang, the Foundation’s pro bono director. “We’re excited to leverage ideas that came from the Pro Bono Summit, like Pro Bono Ohio, to grow both pro bono opportunities and the number of attorney volunteers. Pro Bono Ohio is pro bono made easy, and we think people will love it.”
Volunteer attorneys can visit Pro Bono Ohio on the Foundation’s website. Questions about the portal? Contact Sophia Chang.