Atlanta, GA (April 13, 2012) – In honor of National Volunteer Week 2012, the State Bar of Georgia Pro Bono Project recognizes the dedicated volunteer lawyers in Georgia who help low-income people, senior citizens, service members and veterans overcome potentially devastating legal problems such as foreclosure, bankruptcy, domestic violence, government red tape and more.

A 2008 Legal Needs Study commissioned by the Georgia Supreme Court Civil Justice Committee reveals that thousands of families in Georgia face legal problems every year without an attorney, and the need for free and reduced-fee legal help is rapidly increasing as the economic crisis continues.

Volunteers do make a difference, especially in rural areas of the state. “In 2011, Georgia lawyers outside metro Atlanta helped over a thousand rural low-income clients referred by us, for no fee or a significantly reduced fee,” says Phyllis Holmen, Executive Director of Georgia Legal Services Program. “These volunteers resolved critical family problems, consumer scams, and disability claims. Their work delivered on our country’s promise of ‘justice for all.’”

National Volunteer Week 2012 “Celebrating People in Action” (April 15-21) provides an opportunity to recognize pro bono lawyers for their efforts.  "Pro bono lawyers respond to a great call to service.  In court and in legal clinics, volunteer lawyers can and do help people in extraordinarily difficult situations," adds Mike Monahan, Director of the State Bar of Georgia Pro Bono Project.  "Volunteer lawyers, supported by strong legal aid or structured pro bono programs, are also much appreciated by judges who see an ever-increasing number of unprepared pro se or "self help" litigants.  We can use volunteer lawyers in many settings- to assist in pro se settings, to help a community-based organization with nonprofit legal issues or even to develop trainings for public interest lawyers," says Monahan.

To encourage and support volunteer lawyers throughout the year, the State Bar Pro Bono Project offers GeorgiaAdvocates.org, the online portal for legal professionals looking to volunteer for pro bono work. Legal professionals wishing to volunteer can join GeorgiaAdvocates.org by signing up at GeorgiaAdvocates.org.

GeorgiaAdvocates.org makes it easy for volunteer attorneys to get involved in pro bono work no matter the size of the firm, saving them time and connecting them with opportunities, training events, mentors, and searchable libraries of practice resources they won’t find anywhere else. Consumers can find state-based legal referrals, know-your-rights information and a variety of self-help tools on the companion site, LegalAid-GA.org. GeorgiaAdvocates.org and LegalAid-GA.org are part of a national network of state portals created by Pro Bono Net, a leader in innovative programs that increase access to justice.

Sponsored by Points of Light—National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 and has grown exponentially each subsequent year, with literally thousands of volunteer projects and special events scheduled throughout the week. With the third year anniversary of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, the creation of the Volunteer Generation Fund and the resonant call to serve from the President, this year will be even more energizing and inspiring.

More information on National Volunteer Week 2012 “Celebrating People in Action” can be found HandsOnNetwork.org. Lawyers in Georgia may search for an available pro bono program opportunity in their community by visiting the Georgia Volunteer Opportunities Guide for Lawyers.
_______________________
About the State Bar of Georgia Pro Bono Project
Co-sponsored by the State Bar of Georgia and Georgia Legal Services Program, the Pro Bono Project is headquartered at the Bar and involves private attorneys in representation of the poor in civil matters. The Pro Bono Project develops technology for the delivery of pro bono legal help, assists programs and local bar associations in developing pro bono services, and acts as a clearinghouse for pro bono information, training and lawyer resources.

About Pro Bono Net
Pro Bono Net is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to justice through innovative uses of technology and increased volunteer lawyer participation. Pro Bono Net uses innovative web-based platforms—www.probono.net, www.lawhelp.org and www.lawhelpinteractive.org —to recruit and support volunteer lawyers and provide direct information and tools for self representation to low-income communities. For more information, please visit www.probono.net