Programs & Projects

The Volunteer Lawyers Programs offers many programs and projects for volunteer attorneys and law students, benefiting low-income residents in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties.

To volunteer for a pro bono project, you must first register with the Volunteer Lawyers Program. Projects are designated for Hillsborough (H), North Pinellas (NP), Pasco (P), and law students (L).

Featured Programs and Projects

Community Counsel (H, NP, P)
Provide legal assistance to community groups and nonprofit organizations that serve indigent residents. This is an ideal pro bono opportunity for transactional attorneys, in-house counsel, and attorneys representing management.

Disaster Relief Project (H, NP, P)
Provide legal and social service assistance to survivors of natural disasters.

Volunteer Lawyers Program Projects

Case Referral Panel (H, NP, P): Accept civil case referrals in those areas of the law that you have designated. Low-income clients are screened for eligibility and cases are reviewed for legal merit prior to referral. Mentoring is available. Training is available in certain areas if attorney commits to take a pro bono case within one year.

Pro Bono Power Hour (H): Interview and advise legal aid applicants. Intake sessions are held via Zoom twice a month from 12:00 p.m. to 1 p.m. during the lunch. No experience or expertise is needed. Training and supervision provided.

Client Intake (NP) Interview and advise legal aid applicants. Intake sessions are held in-person and virtually, at various locations in North Pinellas and Pasco County, by appointment only. No experience or expertise is needed. Training and supervision provided.

Domestic Violence Assistance Project (H): Assist victims of domestic violence complete petitions for injunction. Participation does not require court appearances or representation. Training is provided. The Project is located at the George Edgecomb Courthouse and is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, 7-10 a.m.

Family Forms Clinic (H, L): Help pro se family law litigants complete family law forms. Volunteer lawyers and law students are welcome. No experience or expertise is needed. Training and materials, as well as supervision, are provided. The Clinic is located at the George Edgecomb Courthouse and is open Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Low Income Taxpayer Panel (H, NP, P): Assist eligible clients with their income tax issues, including ID theft and innocent spouse relief.

Other Pro Bono Projects

These projects are offered by other Tampa Bay area organizations. Please reach out to the contact person listed for more information.

Aging Solutions, Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) (H): Volunteers assist in providing legal services to guardians for indigent wards. Services may include preparation of annual accountings, and scheduling and attending case management conferences. Contact Lona DiCerb at lonadicerb@aging-solutions.org or Elizabeth Hurtt at elizabethhurtt@aging-solutions.org at (813) 949-1888 or Toll Free at (866) 922-4464.

Ask a Lawyer (H): Respond to calls from local residents seeking legal help. Volunteers appear on Fox 13's morning television show on the first Thursday of the month from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Contact: Lupe Vazquez-Mitcham at (813) 221-7783 or lupe@hillsbar.com.

Bankruptcy Court Legal Assistance Program (H): Assist low-income litigants in certain adversary proceedings. The project is operated by the Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District. Contact: www.flmb.uscourts.gov/legal_assistance. 

Crossroads for Florida Kids (H): Assist at-risk children in dependency and delinquency proceedings. Training, mentoring, and professional liability insurance are provided. This organization also oversees the Juvenile Delinquency Attorney Ad Litem Project. Contact: Scott Tolliver, Executive Director, scott@crossroadsfloridakids.org.

Family Law Guardian Ad Litem Program (H): Experienced volunteer Guardian Ad Litem attorneys needed to serve as children's representatives in family court proceedings. Contact: www.galtampa.org.

Federal Litigation Project (H): Provide limited one-time consultation to pro se litigants in federal court. Attorneys with expertise in general civil rights and federal employment issues are needed, but all attorneys with federal law experience are encouraged to participate. Contact: Scott McLaren at 813-227-8418 or scott.mclaren@hwhlaw.com.

Guardian Ad Litem Program (H, P) Help a child. Volunteer to become an appointed guardian for a child in need. Training is provided. Contact: 813.272.5110 or www.galtampa.org (in Hillsborough County) or guardianadlitem.org (in Pasco and Pinellas Counties).

Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee (H): Provide legal assistance to military personnel and veterans. Contact: Greg Orcutt at greg@orcuttlaw.com.

Project Help (Homeless Experience Legal Protection) (H): Provide advice and counsel to homeless individuals at Metropolitan Ministries’ Outreach Center. Training is provided. Clinics are held on Tuesday evenings from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. Contact: Natasha Khoyi at Nkhoyi@gunster.com or (813) 273-5000.

St. Michael’s Legal Center (H): Provide legal assistance to low-income residents at Christ the King Catholic Church. Volunteers assist with family law matters, including child support collection and domestic battery cases, foreclosure defense, and bankruptcy and immigration matters. Contact: J. Michael Shea at mike@jmichaelshea.com.

Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association's Pro Bono Bankruptcy Clinic (H): Provide limited advice/information and prepare court documents for pro se bankruptcy litigants. The clinic is open on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 1 pm to 4 pm. Contact: tbkprobonoclinic@gmail.com.

Tampa Bay Pro Bono Partners (H, NP, P, L): Partner with a colleague to handle a pro bono project together. The Tampa Bay Pro Bono Partners helps teams find opportunities that fit their interests and availability. Contact: Traci Koster at traci@nelsonlg.com or Ashley Trehan at Ashley.trehan@bipc.com.

Teen Court (H, L): Serve as a judge or mentor to help first-time juvenile offenders in Teen Court, a court-sponsored diversionary program. The project is organized by the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. Contact: Pam Stokes at 813.272.5953 or stokespl@fljud13.org.

Wills for Heroes (H): Assist first responders (firefighters, police officers, and paramedics) by providing wills, living wills and powers of attorney. Training is provided. Contact: Katie Everlove-Stone at Katie@everlovelegal.com.