Programa Pro Bono

In-Person Legal Clinics

Clinicas Legales Presenciales                                           Attorney Volunteers

Public Resources

Donations              

 Monday - Thursday | 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 pm
(301) 424-7651 

What is the Pro Bono Program?

The Montgomery County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Program was the first program of its kind in Maryland and has remained a strong, viable program; continuing its excellence in providing free legal services to over 2,000 low-income clients in need through the Attorney Referral Program, the free legal clinics and The Child Custody Program. Assistance is made possible through the generosity of our volunteer attorneys, who provide thousands of hours of free legal services; as well as the Maryland Legal Services Corporation and the Montgomery County Health and Human Services Division, which provide us with grants.

The Pro Bono Program assists low-income residents of Montgomery County, Maryland obtain free legal representation. Volunteer private practice attorneys are solicited by the Program to provide free legal guidance and/or representation in the areas of absolute divorce, custody, name changes, adoption/guardianship, landlord/tenant (security deposits only), bankruptcy/debt collection matters, wills, powers of attorney, and in limited circumstances immigration and employment cases.

 

If You Need Legal Assistance

If you need a lawyer, but cannot afford one, you may be eligible to receive FREE LEGAL HELP from volunteer attorneys with the Pro Bono Program.

You may contact the Pro Bono Program at (301) 424-7651 Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for an initial eligibility screening.

If you appear to be eligible, based on the information you provide us, we will mail you intake forms to complete and return to us. There is a $25.00 processing fee. Once your information is complete, we will place you on a waiting list for the next available attorney.

The Pro Bono Program depends on volunteers; therefore, it may take several months to find an attorney who is available to represent you in court. For this reason, the Program cannot assist individuals who have emergency cases.

Eligibility:

You must meet ALL of the following criteria to be eligible:

• You must be a resident of Montgomery County
• You must meet Maryland income eligibility guidelines
• You must need assistance in an area of law which volunteer attorneys handle

Cases Handled by the Program:

• Absolute Divorce
• Separation Agreements
• Custody
• Adoption/Guardianship
• Simple Name Changes
• Bankruptcy (Simple Chapter 7)
• Limited Debt Collection Defense
• Private Landlord Tenant (Security Deposits Only)
• Limited Immigration cases (Simple Change of Status)
• Limited Employment cases (Wage Claims)
• Wills and Powers of Attorney

Cases NOT Handled by the Program:

• Emergency Cases
• Criminal and Traffic Cases
• Social Security, Unemployment, or Worker’s Compensation Cases
•  Any Fee-Generating Cases
• Public Benefits
•  Public Housing
• Alimony/Child Support/Visitation (if not part of custody/divorce proceedings)
• Appeals
•  Post-Decree Motions (orders, enforcement, or modification proceedings of any kind)

To download the Pro Bono Program's English brochure, please click here.

New* To download the Pro Bono Program's brochure in Amharic, please click here.