Rhode Island Bar Association

March Gladness

We Appreciate YOU!

Please know that volunteer attorneys are directly contacted by the public services staff regarding the possible placement of a pro bono case. The coordinators will provide you with the case background and the client’s financial eligibility. The clients’ legal issues are in a variety of civil areas of law.  Rest assured, these are people in our communities in dire need who cannot obtain representation on their own or through other organizations. You always have the choice to decline a matter initially or after the first client interview, but there are many reasons why volunteering in your field through a Bar Association pro bono program is so beneficial and positive as noted below.

• Clients are pre-screened for case priorities and income eligibility by the Public Services staff.
• You can volunteer and do not have to leave your office, unless it is a court matter, to help someone resolve a pressing legal issue.
• Volunteer opportunities are in a range of practice areas, and levels of time commitment.
• Mentors are available should you wish to accept a matter outside your practice area.
• You can earn free CLE attendance.
• Your efforts are strongly encouraged, supported, recorded, appreciated, and recognized by the judiciary, your peers, and the Bar Association.

Volunteer Attorneys Make A Difference!

Elderly Pro Bono Program - The client was referred to the program by Rhode Island Legal Services in Newport for assistance with terminating a lease. The client is terminally ill and was told to relocate to North Carolina for treatment. She qualified for Section 8 and was having an issue getting the certificate transferred from Rhode Island to North Carolina because she had a lease at current apartment. Rhode Island was requiring a letter form the landlord stating that he/she would not sue her for breaking the lease. The Elderly Pro Bono program was able to place her with an attorney who drew up the letter for the landlord to sign and made sure that the transfer from Rhode Island to North Carolina was completed before the client moved.

Volunteer Lawyer Program - Attorney worked with client for 6 years helping to prevent 2 judicial foreclosures. The first one he was able to get dismissed due to a motion which was mis-filed by the bank’s counsel. While assisting the client with loan modification a second foreclosure was filed. During that time the attorney was able to negotiate a forbearance agreement. After the forbearance period the attorney assisted client with a successful loan modification and the client was able to remain in her home.

Volunteer Lawyer Program - After months of dealing with an inoperable refrigerator, stove and a faulty heating system a VLP client (single parent of 3) was served with an eviction in December. The VLP attorney was so appalled with the condition of the client’s apartment that he decided to subpoena the building inspector and depose the property manager. He was able to get a favorable judgement for his client including waiver of all back rent, time to move, and a dismissal of the eviction. The attorney will also file a motion to seal the eviction in due time.

US Armed Legal Services Project - Client was a retired US Navy veteran who married while stationed in Japan. Upon retiring, client obtained a work VISA and remained in Japan until it expired during COVID. The client then returned to the States with his two children of the marriage who have dual citizenship. His wife, however, had to remain behind until he obtained a spouse VISA. Months after submitting all the required paperwork he contacted the Vermont INS office for an update and was told that the paperwork had been forwarded to the DC office but when he contacted that office, they told him the paperwork was still in Vermont. This situation continued for over a year at which point the client contacted the RI Bar’s, US Armed Forces Legal Service Project, for assistance. The volunteer attorney was able to get the spouse’s VISA pushed through in a matter of months.  

We “Gnome” you Want to Help! 

Find out how easy it is to JOIN!!

Please contact John Ellis, for the Volunteer Lawyer Program and Elisa King, for the Pro Bono Program for the Elderly or US Armed Forces Legal Services Project. They both may be reached at 401-421-7758 or 401- 521-5040. 

If you are already a member of one of the pro bono programs, we are truly grateful for your ongoing support.   

“But Do They Really Qualify?”

Do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions about client financial eligibility whether it is after an initial consultation or during the course of working on their case. Clients are thoroughly interviewed for income eligibility and must return a signed financial form before we attempt placement. However, if you become aware of unreported income or assets, or there is a change in circumstances, please notify us right away.  

“Add value to the Earth during your sojourn,

give something back.” 

Marian Wright Edelman

Lanterns: A Memoir of Mentors

In Giving We Receive

The Rhode Island Bar Association urges and supports your public service efforts, as reflected above in the Pro Bono Resolution originally passed by the House of Delegates on January 21, 1992. Please consider joining one of your Bar Association’s pro bono programs to fulfill this aspirational goal. Daily, the Bar’s Volunteer Lawyer Program is contacted by the public in critical need of legal assistance and intake/applications are processed for placement. There is also a specific need for representation for our low-income clients who contact the Pro Bono Program for the Elderly and US Armed Forces Legal Services Project. 

Stay Tuned for upcoming free CLE opportunities in 2024 sponsored by the Volunteer Lawyer Program.

2023 CLE Speakers

Guardianship Practice - The Essentials

l-r William J. Balkun Esq., Bridgett L. Louro Esq., Hon. Jeanne L. Shepard, Melissa Leahey MS, Barbara L. Margolis Esq.

Special thanks to the following volunteer CLE speakers. Without you we would not be able to provide quality programs that benefit both volunteer attorneys and our pro bono clients.

Hon. Jeanne L. Shepard

William J. Balkun, Esq.

Melissa Leahey MS

Bridgett L. Louro, Esq.

Barbara L. Margolis, Esq.

Please note this seminar is available to view On Demand. Please contact

Elisa King for more information.

Thank You

We Treasure Your Time & Talent

A special thank you to Ms. Maria Valdez from One Voice Interpreting & Translation Services. Maria has generously volunteered her interpreting skills for our Spanish speaking clients since 2021. With her assistance, we now have the ability to place clients who only speak Spanish with non-bilingual attorneys.

We also thank Professor Monica Teixeira de Sousa from Roger Williams University School of Law who recently volunteered to interpret for our Portuguese speaking clients.

The Rhode Island Bar Association's Public Service Programs are still in great need of Spanish speaking attorneys. If you or your staff speak Spanish or other languages, please consider joining one of the following:

Lawyer Referral Service

Referral Service for the Elderly

Volunteer Lawyer Program

Help us make sure everyone is heard!

Volunteer Lawyer Program

"As a graduate and former employee of Roger Williams University School of Law, a commitment to pro bono work was instilled as a high priority in my law practice. The VLP pre-screens cases and streamlines the process of connecting experienced practitioners with qualifying clients. Working on VLP cases has been extremely rewarding and is deeply meaningful and impactful to the clients who otherwise could not afford legal representation."

Lawyer Referral Service

“The Bar's Lawyer Referral Service has brought immense personal and professional value to my new practice at an affordable cost. The program continually connects clients with immediate legal needs in my practice area to my firm and allows me to provide much needed legal services to Rhode Islanders. Participation in the service is extremely fulfilling and I urge my colleagues to consider joining the program!” - Jolee Vacchi Esq. 



Serving Our Seniors

The Legal Information & Referral Service for the Elderly, an optional component program of the Lawyer Referral Service, addresses the legal needs of our elderly on a statewide basis. The pro bono initiative of this optional referral service program appeals to many of our members interested in volunteering.  

If you are interested in speaking to groups or providing consultations at senior center sponsored legal clinics, you should consider joining the Referral Service for the Elderly. Traditionally, seniors want to know more about wills and powers of attorney, health and nursing home issues, as well as some family and consumer issues. For additional information please contact Elisa King at 401-521-5040.

Senior Center

Community Outreach

We are always expanding our state wide outreach. To date, we are happy to report the following senior centers request Legal Clinics and Ask-A-Lawyers programs on a regular basis:

Charlestown Senior Center

Clyde Towers (W. Warwick)

Cranston Senior Center

Coventry Senior Center

East Providence Senior Center

Edward King House (Newport)

Jamestown Senior Center

Johnston Senior Center

Hamilton House (Prov)

Hopkinton Senior Center

Narraganset Senior Center

North Kingstown Senior Center

Pawtucket Senior Center

Portsmouth Senior Center

Richmond Senior Center

Salvatore Mancini Center

South Kingstown Senior Center

St. Elizabeth Apartments (Prov)

Swift Community Center

Tiverton Senior Center

West Warwick Manor

Join the Lawyer Referral Service (LRS)

New Clients are Springing Up Daily

Thousands of calls from the public asking for help in obtaining an attorney are received every year at the Lawyer Referral Service (LRS). The LRS offers you a major opportunity to obtain new clients. For only $8.00 a month, we can help market your practice and increase your client base. As a new member, you may join now for the special price of only $25.00 until September 2024. At that time, you can choose to renew for the annual membership fee of only $100.00.

There is a definite need to expand our referral panels

statewide in all areas of law including:

Employment, Education, Expungement, HIPPA, Marijuana Issues,

Non-profit 501C3, Social Media/Bullying.

If you are an existing member and would like to update any of your practice areas, please contact Caitlin Poland at 401-421-7799

or email her at cpoland@ribar.com.

Joining is an easy process! Applications are available for completion on the Bar Association website at www.ribar.com. You may also contact Caitlin Poland directly to receive an application. If you have any questions about the referral process or would like more detailed information, please contact us.

We look forward to sending you referrals!!

Consider Limited Scope Opportunities with LRS

Also, In the past few years, requests for limited scope representation have become more frequent. Requests for the preparation/filing of documents, review of all types of contracts, final judgments, and court appearances are several of the areas requested. Whether you have an established practice or you are newly admitted, providing limited scope representation is an innovative approach to providing services to the public seeking affordable options. Please consider expanding your practice by offering limited scope services through the LRS.

If you are currently a member of the LRS and wish to receive limited scope referrals we are happy to update your panel selections, please email Caitlin Poland or call us at 401-421-7799. If you would like further details about how to become a member and expand your practice, we are looking forward to hearing from you today!!

2023 Pro Bono Hours

Please Don’t Forget

If you donated 30 or more pro bono hours through the Volunteer Lawyer Program, Pro Bono Program for the Elderly, or US Armed Forces Legal Services Project during 2023, please let us know by emailing Elisa King. You will receive three coupons that may be used for either three one-credit or one three-credit CLE seminar sponsored by the Rhode Island Bar Association.

Many of you have already reported your hours and have received your coupons with our thanks.  For those of you who have not yet reported your hours and have made this dedicated contribution, we want to send yours to you as soon as possible. 

Don't Forget April is National Volunteer Month

Please contact us today about joining a public service program.

Rhode Island Bar Association

41 Sharpe Drive

Cranston, RI 02920

401-421-7799

www.ribar.com

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