Page 206 - 2020OrientationBOG

The LSBA’s ATJ Committee and staff conduct the nomination process and oversee the vetting of
the LSBA Pro Bono Awards for the Board of Governors. In addition, the LSBA Century Club
Awards recognize volunteers who have completed at least 100 hours of pro bono service in a
calendar year through an established non-profit pro bono organization. The Committee annually
solicits pro bono awards nominations and makes recommendations to the Louisiana State Bar
Association. 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
Typically, the Louisiana Supreme Court hosts the annual awards ceremony and reception for the
LSBA award recipients in May. This year, due to COVID-19, the event will be held virtually in
October in conjunction with the American Bar Association’s National Celebration of Pro Bono.

Free Legal Answers

In August 2016, the LSBA launched the new online pro bono program called
LA.FreeLegalAnswers.org as part of a national ABA effort to expand pro bono access across the
nation. Of the 38 states that have agreed to participate, Louisiana was one of the first 8 states to
launch their site. The ABA runs the site and maintains the software, and the LSBA, through the
ATJ Department, is responsible for recruiting volunteers to answer the online submissions and
making the public aware of the service. Each day, thousands of individuals with legal problems
might be assisted by a short answer from a knowledgeable attorney. LA.FreeLegalAnswers.org
allows attorney volunteers to log in whenever and wherever they like to answer legal questions
submitted by those who could not otherwise afford to consult an attorney. Unless a volunteer
chooses to identify themselves, answers provided by volunteer attorneys are anonymous. The site
only allows civil legal questions and contains strict income eligibility guidelines for users to access
the site. In response to COVID-19 the site has increased their income guidelines in order to meet
the increased need for legal assistance. Under these new guidelines, in order to qualify for the site,
users must be: 18 years of age or older, not currently in jail or prison, have an income within 400%
of the federal poverty guidelines, and have less than $500,000 in assets. To date, 158 attorneys
have registered as volunteers and 2,203 questions have been posed on the site. Of those 2,203
questions, 1,869 or 85% of those questions have been answered by volunteer attorneys.

P
A
G