Pro Bono Programs

The Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County offers a myriad of pro bono opportunities for attorneys that will allow you to make a direct and positive impact on the lives of low-income children, families, and seniors by providing them with meaningful access to justice.

Whether you choose to take a settlement conference, a trial, or engage in limited scope representation, whether you participate as a team or individually, we are here to assist you, train you  (MCLE credit available in specified areas), and to provide a panel of experts who will mentor you as you help others in need of legal services. 

You will also be participating in a program of community legal service that has been in existence since our founding in 1959. For more than 60 years low-income residents have looked to us for legal help and no matter how you choose to participate, you are becoming part of a group that numbers into the thousands. Whether you are a private attorney, corporate attorney, paralegal, emeritus attorney, or law student - you can assist clients who would otherwise be without legal representation in areas of life’s basic needs.

Legal Aid's Pro Bono Opportunities

Direct Referrals

Legal Aid provides pro bono opportunities for taking cases in the areas of consumer law, elder physical and financial abuse and other poverty law issues that present through our on-going work with clients.

Domestic Violence Collaborative

You will provide limited scope representation at permanent restraining order hearings to low-income survivors of domestic violence so that they can remain out of abusive relationships and establish safe and stable lives. Issues may include child custody, visitation, and support. Legal Aid partners with Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA) and Bay Area Legal Aid to train pro bono attorneys and mentor them through their cases. (MCLE approved training) 

Guardianship Project

You will assist grandparents, relatives, and other caregivers who are seeking to become a court-ordered guardian. In San Mateo County alone, as many as 10,000 children are being raised by someone other than their own parents. Pro bono attorneys provide full representation through the legal guardianship process.  This process includes preparing the petition for the client, advising them through the investigation and appearing with them at their hearing.  

The time-commitment for these cases is typically 25-30 hours.  Some of the clients will be Spanish speaking and we have a translator who can work with your attorneys. (MCLE approved training)

Housing Clinics

Remote Unlawful Detainer Clinic: Due to the expiration of the COVID-19 housing protections, there has been a sharp increase in unlawful detainer (eviction) cases. By participating in this clinic, you will assist Legal Aid SMC’s housing staff in working with clients to ensure their responses to these lawsuits are filed on time. This is an asynchronous, limited scope clinic where pro bonos meet with clients remotely and assist them in completing the proper Judicial Council forms in order to avoid a default eviction.

The time commitment is 2-3 hours per client, and the turn-around time is 2-3 days. Pro bonos will accept clients as their schedule permits. Legal Aid SMC provides training, materials, and mentorship with a member of our housing staff.

In-Person Housing Clinic: You may choose to attend a Legal Aid housing clinic and provide assistance with Unlawful Detainer answers or other legal services related to housing problems to clients in person. We have two weekly clinics in Redwood City and Daly City, which together serve about 50 clients each month. This is a great opportunity to assist pro per litigants with preparation of court document and legal counseling to tenants who are having problems with their landlords that relate to: 

• Evictions

• Disputes over the condition of the premises

• Illegal acts by landlords

We are currently hosting in-person clinics (clients need to call for an appointment) at the following locations:

Daly City Community Services Center
350 90th Street
Daly City, CA 94015
Every Wednesday: 1 pm to 4 pm

Fair Oaks Community Center
2600 Middlefield Road
Redwood City, CA 94063
Every Friday: 9 am to 12 pm

Conservatorship Project

When a severely developmentally disabled child turns 18, the child retains all the legal rights of an adult even though he or she is cognitively unable to exercise those rights. 

This project assists families with obtaining a conservatorship when their child turns 18 in order to make important decisions for their disabled child, including fundamental decisions such as where the child will live or what medical treatment they will receive. 

The time-commitment for these cases is typically 25-30 hours.  Some of the clients will be Spanish speaking and we have a translator who can work with your attorneys.  (MCLE approved training)

Emerging Issue/Needs Clinics and Programs:

Legal Aid provides pro bono opportunities in all areas of needs for our clients. Oftentimes, new issues will arise in the community, or our partners will reach out to us with concerns which will create an opportunity for new clinics or programs. Past programs include Advance Health Care Directive Preparation, Medicare Share of Costs Clinics, and DACA application preparation.

Retired Attorneys Program:

Retired But Still Want to Make a Difference in Your Community? Join the Legal Aid SMC Pro Bono Program! Retirement doesn’t mean your impact has to end! We are actively seeking retired and soon-to-be-retired attorneys eager to offer their skills to our community through meaningful pro bono work. You will represent survivors of domestic violence, assist with guardianship and conservatorship matters, and help tenants remain in their homes. We provide professional liability coverage for all pro bono work, trainings in each area with MCLE credit, and expert mentorship on every matter.

Your work is more important than ever. As the actions of the new administration threaten the rights and stability of our neighbors, we need your help. Your years of legal experience, practical insights, and accumulated knowledge can make a large difference in the lives of low-income families, seniors, people with disabilities, and immigrants.

Now is the time to get involved! We are qualified to accept licensed volunteer attorneys through the California State Bar’s Pro Bono Practice Program, which waives annual license fees. For those who are not interested in maintaining an active license, you can still contribute by participating in our clinical programs or through other work supervised by Legal Aid SMC staff.

For more information on how your time and talents can help protect our neighbors, please contact Pro Bono Director Stephanie Bilinski at sbilinski@legalaidsmc.org. or (650) 517-8912.

Remember you have something unique to offer those seeking equal access to justice. On behalf of the thousands in need of legal services, thank you. To help determine the most appropriate opportunity, please submit a completed Pro Bono Interest Form Application with a copy of your resume to: Stephanie Bilinski, Director of Pro Bono at sbilinski@legalaidsmc.org.