Page 262 - 2024 Orientation Manual

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.
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.

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.
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
management and technology training, business skills development tools, and a collaborative work
environment to help attorneys build innovative and sustainable law firms.

LIFT also partners with organizations on projects that address specific unmet legal needs in various
parts of the State. To date, LIFT has partnered with eight civil legal aid providers, nonprofit
organizations, and universities to operate seven different incubator projects. Current programs
include:

● Disaster Title Clearing Project in Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. John, and St. Charles
parishes (2022-present), operated in partnership with SLLS to provide legal assistance to
Hurricane Ida survivors.
● Rural Justice Legal Incubator Project (2022-present), operated in partnership with
Acadiana Legal Service Corp. to provide legal assistance to underserved communities in
rural parts of the state with limited access to legal help.

● Domestic Violence Project in Orleans, Terrebonne, and Lafourche (2015-2021, 2023-
present), operated in partnership with Southeast Louisiana Legal Services to provide legal
representation to survivors of domestic violence.

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