Volunteer

Pro Bono Volunteers

Join Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino’s pro bono volunteer team to make a real impact on the lives of vulnerable individuals in our community. Together, we can bridge the justice gap, ensure equal access to legal support, and create a more just and equitable society for all. Your expertise and dedication can change lives and contribute to a brighter future for those in need.
Explore the Pro Bono Process with Legal Aid
Revealing the Heart: LASSB’s Emblem of Compassion

Volunteer with LASSB: A Quick Overview

Areas of Practice

Family Law

Housing Law

Expungement Law

Attorneys and Law Firms

The Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino (LASSB) presents a wide array of unique pro bono opportunities tailored to both individual attorneys and law firms. These opportunities encompass various facets, such as staffing legal clinics, providing limited case advice, conducting educational outreach and training sessions, and handling short-term or high-impact litigation cases. In each pro bono endeavor, LASSB collaborates closely with participating attorneys to ensure robust support throughout the project or case.

Here’s how we help:

  1. Carefully Vetted Cases: LASSB thoroughly assesses potential pro bono cases, guaranteeing their strong legal merit and the potential for impactful outcomes.
  2. Fee Waivers: Our clients, all low-income individuals, qualify for court fee waivers, translating to minimal to no out-of-pocket expenses for our dedicated volunteers.
  3. Comprehensive Case Support: When volunteer attorneys take on individual cases, LASSB offers comprehensive assistance, covering substantive, procedural, and strategic aspects, from case initiation to final disposition.
  4. Malpractice Insurance: All volunteers handling LASSB cases are covered by LASSB’s malpractice insurance, serving as the primary coverage.
  5. Specialized Training: LASSB provides specialized training sessions to ensure volunteers are well-prepared and equipped for their pro bono assignments.

If you’re enthusiastic about contributing to any of our projects, we invite you to complete the online application.

Additionally, LASSB extends a warm welcome to provisionally licensed lawyers under California Rule of Court, Rule 9.49.

Recent law graduates keen on volunteering with LASSB are encouraged to reach out and apply as volunteers. For inquiries or further information, please don’t hesitate to contact info@Legalaidofsb.org, or refer to the State Bar’s information page here. Join us in making a lasting impact through the power of pro bono service.

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Join Our Pro Bono Volunteer Program

Individual attorneys and law firms making justice accessible. Earn recognition including the Wiley W. Manuel Certificate, bar membership, and Access to Justice Gala invitations.

Sign Up to Volunteer See Benefits
71 Volunteer Attorneys
8,000+ Families Helped
1,000+ Pro Bono Hours
$550K Services Value

Recognition & Benefits

Choose your program: Individual Attorney or Law Firm recognition with comprehensive benefits

🥉
Bronze Volunteer
50 Hours
Bronze Attorney Badge
🏆 Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Service
Awarded by the State Bar of California for completing 50+ hours of qualifying pro bono work
  • Professional digital badge for your website
  • Recognized at Access to Justice Gala and in e-program
  • Recognition in annual report
  • Mentor attorney available
  • Full malpractice coverage
  • Staff attorney support on every case
  • Recognition certificate
  • Volunteer Wall of Fame listing
🥈
Silver Volunteer
100 Hours
Silver Attorney Badge
🏆 Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Service
Awarded by the State Bar of California for completing 50+ hours of qualifying pro bono work
All Bronze Benefits, Plus:
  • Access to Justice Gala ticket (1 ticket)
  • Website linked to badge on Wall of Fame
🥇
Gold Volunteer
300 Hours
Gold Attorney Badge
🏆 Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Service
Awarded by the State Bar of California for completing 50+ hours of qualifying pro bono work
All Bronze & Silver Benefits, Plus:
  • San Bernardino County Bar membership
  • Access to Justice Gala tickets (2 tickets)
  • Mentor attorney for guidance
🏆
Platinum Volunteer
500 Hours
Platinum Attorney Badge
🏆 Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Service
Awarded by the State Bar of California for completing 50+ hours of qualifying pro bono work
All Previous Benefits, Plus:
  • Access to Justice Gala VIP tickets (2 tickets)
  • Dedicated mentor attorney

🏢 Law Firm Recognition Program: Hours are cumulative across all firm attorneys. Your firm earns prestigious recognition as a champion of access to justice.

🥉
Bronze Partner Firm
50 Cumulative Hours
Bronze Firm Badge
🏆 Firm Recognition: Your firm's commitment to pro bono service recognized by LASSB and the legal community
  • Professional firm badge for website and marketing
  • Firm recognized at Access to Justice Gala and in e-program
  • Listing in annual report as Bronze Partner
  • Full malpractice coverage for all firm pro bono cases
  • Staff attorney support for participating attorneys
  • Firm recognition certificate
  • Firm Wall of Fame listing with logo
🥈
Silver Partner Firm
100 Cumulative Hours
Silver Firm Badge
🏆 Firm Recognition: Your firm's commitment to pro bono service recognized by LASSB and the legal community
All Bronze Benefits, Plus:
  • Access to Justice Gala tickets (2 tickets)
  • Firm website linked from badge on Wall of Fame
  • Featured in LASSB newsletter
🥇
Gold Partner Firm
300 Cumulative Hours
Gold Firm Badge
🏆 Firm Recognition: Your firm's commitment to pro bono service recognized by LASSB and the legal community
All Bronze & Silver Benefits, Plus:
  • SBCBA memberships for firm attorneys (up to 3)
  • Access to Justice Gala tickets (4 tickets)
  • Dedicated firm liaison at LASSB
  • Press release highlighting firm's Gold status
🏆
Platinum Champion Firm
500 Cumulative Hours
Platinum Firm Badge
🏆 Firm Recognition: Your firm's commitment to pro bono service recognized by LASSB and the legal community
All Previous Benefits, Plus:
  • Access to Justice Gala VIP table (8 tickets)
  • Special recognition at Gala as Platinum Champion
  • Featured case study of firm's pro bono impact
  • Annual meeting with LASSB leadership

How It Works

Simple three-step process for individuals and firms

1
Receive & Review Case
Get case details via email with intake information. Review at your convenience.
2
Contact Client & Provide Advice
Talk to the client, provide legal guidance, and send directions back to us.
3
We Handle the Rest
Our paralegal completes all paperwork and documents. That's it!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time is required?
Volunteer time can be as little as 2 hours. Cases are sent via email. Review the case, contact the client, provide advice, and send directions to our office. Our paralegal completes all paperwork.
How do law firm hours work?
For law firms, hours are cumulative across all participating attorneys. Every attorney at your firm who volunteers contributes to the firm's total.
Can individual attorneys and firms both participate?
Yes! Individual attorneys receive their own recognition badges and benefits. Their hours also count toward their firm's cumulative total.
What is the Wiley W. Manuel Certificate?
The Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Service is awarded by the State Bar of California to attorneys who complete at least 50 hours of qualifying pro bono legal services in a calendar year.
What support do volunteers receive?
You are never alone. Pro bono team available to answer questions, assigned LASSB attorneys for support, full malpractice coverage, and staff review.
How do we track hours?
Legal Aid tracks volunteer hours and will provide badges at the end of the year. Firms receive consolidated reports showing all participating attorneys' contributions.
How do we sign up?
Click here to sign up and indicate whether you're signing up as an individual attorney or law firm.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Join 71 attorneys and growing firms providing equal access to justice

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Join Us For Our Annual
Access to Justice Celebration!

February 26, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM PST