BROWARD LAWYERS CARE

Broward Lawyers Care is the pro bono unit within Legal Aid Service of Broward County and Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida and is the recognized pro bono program in Broward County, Florida. Broward Lawyers Care (BLC) was formed in 1983 by a joint effort of the Broward County Bar and Legal Aid. BLC enables busy attorneys to make a difference in their community. Legal Aid manages the administrative issues so that the attorney’s time is spent directly on the clients’ legal needs. Services at Legal Aid are designed to help clients build self-sufficiency. When you help a Legal Aid client, you have the satisfaction of knowing that you are part of a process that is geared towards helping people in need turn their lives around.

MEMBERSHIP

There are over 7500 attorneys in Broward County, but only one Legal Aid attorney for every 10,300 people living in poverty. The public interest attorneys at Legal Aid Service of Broward County and Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida need your help today to meet the ever growing, critical legal needs of the underserved population of Broward County.

In Broward County, Broward Lawyers Care is the recognized agency for administering Florida’s Pro Bono Plan. Rule 4-6.1, Rules Regulating the Florida Bar, describes lawyer’s professional responsibility for pro bono service. The professional responsibility may be discharged by: 1) annually providing at least 20 hours of pro bono legal service to the poor; or 2) making an annual contribution of at least $350 to a legal aid organization.

Every year Broward Lawyers Care sends out their campaign piece along with a participation form to be completed and returned to Broward Lawyers Care thus committing to the fulfillment of their professional obligation to Pro Bono. While direct representation is the most common method for attorneys to fulfill their pro bono obligation, the importance of financial contributions should not be overlooked. Last year Broward Lawyers Care raised $115,000 allowing Legal Aid to provide additional services to the poor and disadvantaged.

Legal Aid Service

• Provides $1 million of malpractice insurance
  
• Screens all clients
  
• Matches clients with the attorney’s area of expertise
  
• Follows up on client appointments and case status
  
• Offers free CLE education and mentors
  
• Covers pre-approved court and litigation costs
  
• Allows attorneys to retain 100% of awarded fees
  

MEMBERSHIP FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Pro Bono Public Service Rule?

Rule 4-6.1 states each member of the Florida Bar in good standing, as a part of that member’s professional responsibility, should

1. render Pro Bono legal services to the poor and 2. participate, to the extent possible, in other Pro Bono service activities that directly relate to the legal needs of the poor

The professional responsibility to provide Pro Bono legal service to the poor may be discharged by:

1. annually providing at least 20 hours of Pro Bono legal services to the poor; or 2. making an annual contribution of at least $350 to a legal aid organization

Each member of the bar shall annually report whether the member has satisfied the member’s professional responsibility to provide Pro Bono legal services to the poor.

This rule applies to all members of the Florida Bar in good standing except those members of the Bar who are retired, inactive, suspended or have been placed on the inactive list for incapacity not related to discipline. Application of the rule is deferred to judges and their staffs unless and until legal prohibitions to pro bono legal services are removed.

What is Pro Bono?

• Cases for which no money is charged, received or expected
• Representing a client through an organized Pro Bono Program
• Contribution of $350 to an organized Pro Bono Program
• Legal Clinics

What is NOT Pro Bono?

• Clients who do not pay their bill
• Serving on a board
• Bar activities
• Aunt Suzy’s will
• Uncle John’s speeding ticket

Is Pro Bono mandatory?

No. The providing of pro bono is voluntary. The rules only require that all Florida Bar members report annually whether they did or did not provide pro bono services (a) a contribution to a legal aid organization in lieu of service, (b) is deferred, or (c) has not provided pro bono service or made a contribution. This information is reported on the Florida Bar annual dues statement.

I don’t have experience in family law, consumer law or other Pro Bono areas.

There is a need for attorneys to assist indigent clients in many non-traditional “Pro Bono” areas of the law including but not limited to real estate and tax. In addition, there are experienced lawyers who can help and mentor you through the process.

I can’t afford malpractice coverage.

Professional liability coverage is provided by Broward Lawyers Care (BLC) for Pro Bono cases assigned.

I do Pro Bono work on my own. I don’t need to work through an organized program.

In addition to the benefits of the malpractice coverage, BLC provides reimbursement for approved costs associated with the case. BLC has greater capacity to recruit large numbers of lawyers. As the number of volunteers increases, the demand on individual lawyers decreases. There are also reporting incentives as well as local and statewide recognition.