BCLA Pro Bono Programs

We are a non-profit (501-C3) agency that provides free legal aid civil service to indigent persons.

We are Making a Difference

According to BCLA executive director, Rob Johnson, more than 40 lawyers signed up to do pro bono work at the October kick-off event held at the BCLA location in Rockledge, and between October and January,the program has seen a 20 percent increase in pro bono services compared to the same time last year

"We're offering more limited opportunities for attorneys that fall into the group of wanting to do pro bono but are unable because of family commitments or not having enough time. For example, a contract attorney can assist a child by explaining and negotiating a lease" Johnson said.

The "One" campaign, funded by the Florida Bar Foundation, is a statewide pro bono effort for one attorney to take on one case to help one client in need.

Community Education

BCLA staff members and/or Board members give community presentations frequently to other agencies or groups that have a need to know about BCLA and its services. Community legal education is often coordinated through BCLA. BCLA matches attorneys having specific areas of expertise with requests for attorney speakers. Emphasis is given to presentations to low-income persons. A wide spectrum of self-help and interagency brochures are distributed by BCLA. Looking ahead with current economic trends BCLA predicts that they will have more requests for services than ever before. BCLA and many other legal aid services in the state have been working side by side to develop a plan to be able to serve more people and families. This plan also incorporates direction and ways to increase Pro Bono participation from private attorneys. This plan will be launched later this year.

Brevard County Legal Aid Closes 1479 Cases in 2008

Increases Projected for 2009

Each year, in June, BCLA begins its annual pro bono recruitment. Of Brevard's approximately 900 attorneys, 43% participate in the Pro Bono Program. Brevard's attorneys support the voluntary pro bono effort through BCLA by either providing direct voluntary service or by making a monetary contribution to BCLA in lieu of pro bono service. BCLA has received $45,000 in lieu of pro bono service contributions. Pro bono attorneys handled 53% of the 1479 cases closed in 2008. The cases range from simple advice to full representation that can be 100+ hours of pro bono work. Approximately 23% of the closed pro bono cases involved full representation.

BCLA coordinates requests for pro bono attorneys with other regional and state legal service providers and the Office of the State Attorney to offer diversified pro bono opportunities. Some attorneys have agreed to "Adopt an Agency" which allows pro bono attorneys to provide legal assistance to non-profit agencies that serve the poor. Others have agreed to staff advice clinics, serve as mentors or to speak to low-income groups on pertinent legal subjects. Attorneys with the Office of the State Attorney actively perform pro bono by giving community education lectures and volunteering in its Teen Court Project. Teen Court volunteers serve as prosecutors, attorneys or judges, as well as training teens to act as court personnel or jurors. Teen Court assists the overburdened juvenile court by diverting misdemeanor juvenile offenders to the Teen Court Program.