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Voluntary Pro Bono Reporting Mechanism
The Access to Justice Department collects reports of annual pro bono hours (both hardcopy and
online.) These numbers are critical to understanding the effort of the private bar to meet the legal
needs of the poor, as well as the amount of legal need that remains unmet. Accurately assessing
this gap in service is essential to obtaining adequate funding to provide for this unmet need. It also
demonstrates to funders that Louisiana’s private attorneys are dedicated to this issue. For these
reasons, all attorneys are encouraged to report their hours annually.

LSBA Pro Bono Publico & Children’s Law Awards
The LSBA’s annual Pro Bono Publico and Children’s Law Awards honor those individuals and
organizations who have gone above and beyond to provide or support the provision of legal
services to Louisianans who would otherwise be unable to afford assistance. The ATJ Committee
and department staff conduct the nomination process, present a slate of possible award recipients
for approval by the Board of Governors. The award recipients are recognized at an annual
ceremony and reception hosted by the Supreme Court each May. Awards include:

● Pro Bono Publico Award
● Career Public Interest Award
● David A. Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award
● Friend of Pro Bono Award
● Law Student Pro Bono Awards
● LA.FreeLegalAnswers Award
● Children’s Law Award
● Century Club Awards

Free Legal Answers
LA.FreeLegalAnswers.org is an online pro bono site where members of the public can submit civil
legal questions and have them answered for free by attorney volunteers. The site was launched in
August 2016 as part of a national effort by the ABA to expand pro bono access across the nation.
Of the 38 participating states, Louisiana was one of the first to launch its site. The ABA runs the
site and maintains the software, and the LSBA, through the ATJ Department, hosts the site and is
responsible for recruiting volunteers to answer the online submissions and promoting the site to
the public. Members of the public must meet income guidelines to submit questions, and volunteer
attorneys remain anonymous unless they choose to identify themselves. To date, 272 attorneys
have registered as volunteers and 5,554 questions have been posed on the site, 4,639 (84%) of
which have been answered.

LIFT Legal Incubator Program
Legal Innovators for Tomorrow (LIFT) is a nationally recognized and first-of-its-kind legal
incubator program in Louisiana. Having worked with 35 attorney participants, the program
promotes access to justice by helping new attorneys build public interest solo and small law firms
that increase legal representation to underrepresented populations and families with limited means.
To accomplish this, LIFT offers free resources (such as case management software), law practice

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