Free Legal Answers, the virtual legal advice clinic sponsored by the American Bar Association, crossed the 400,000-mark in the total number of questions handled since its inception in 2016.
The program’s more than 15,000 attorneys registered nationally to volunteer performed over 16,500 hours of pro bono service in 2024, assisting with family, divorce and custody-related problems; housing and eviction; consumer rights; employment; and civil rights, among others.
FLA is a project of the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service.
Now in 42 states and territories, the program allows users to post civil legal questions at no cost to be answered by pro bono attorneys licensed in their state.
The 2024 summary report can be found at https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/probono_public_service/abafree/rpts/2024/december-2024.pdf.
In 2024, questions submitted most often were about family and children (38%); housing and homelessness (16%); and consumer and financial questions (10%). Others related to work and employment/unemployment; individual rights; health and disability; and miscellaneous topics.
In 2024, FLA was on the ground in more states, more often. According to USA Today, two dozen weather-related catastrophes caused $1 billion or more in damage each last year.
ABA FLA is an effective disaster recovery response resource and was deployed to serve individuals affected by Hurricane Helene. Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia implemented adjustments to their sites, such as temporarily increasing the eligibility income cap to reach more survivors.
In North Carolina, attorneys licensed out of state were able to register as volunteers pursuant to a state supreme court order.
Disaster relief categories were added on all sites, allowing questions to be sorted and quickly assigned to attorneys standing by to assist. Free Legal Answers also includes a federal portal that addresses federal veterans benefits and immigration questions.
Since the site launched, nearly 24,000 questions have been submitted by veterans and over 20,000 by seniors.
Free Legal Answers is supported by Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC; American Arbitration Association; FedEx Ground; International Paper; Pilot Company; Chapman and Cutler LLP; Dorsey & Whitney LLP; Entergy Corporation; Liberty Mutual Insurance; and Paul Hastings, LLP. Baker Donelson created the portal and continues to maintain it in collaboration with the ABA.
The program’s more than 15,000 attorneys registered nationally to volunteer performed over 16,500 hours of pro bono service in 2024, assisting with family, divorce and custody-related problems; housing and eviction; consumer rights; employment; and civil rights, among others.
FLA is a project of the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service.
Now in 42 states and territories, the program allows users to post civil legal questions at no cost to be answered by pro bono attorneys licensed in their state.
The 2024 summary report can be found at https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/probono_public_service/abafree/rpts/2024/december-2024.pdf.
In 2024, questions submitted most often were about family and children (38%); housing and homelessness (16%); and consumer and financial questions (10%). Others related to work and employment/unemployment; individual rights; health and disability; and miscellaneous topics.
In 2024, FLA was on the ground in more states, more often. According to USA Today, two dozen weather-related catastrophes caused $1 billion or more in damage each last year.
ABA FLA is an effective disaster recovery response resource and was deployed to serve individuals affected by Hurricane Helene. Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia implemented adjustments to their sites, such as temporarily increasing the eligibility income cap to reach more survivors.
In North Carolina, attorneys licensed out of state were able to register as volunteers pursuant to a state supreme court order.
Disaster relief categories were added on all sites, allowing questions to be sorted and quickly assigned to attorneys standing by to assist. Free Legal Answers also includes a federal portal that addresses federal veterans benefits and immigration questions.
Since the site launched, nearly 24,000 questions have been submitted by veterans and over 20,000 by seniors.
Free Legal Answers is supported by Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC; American Arbitration Association; FedEx Ground; International Paper; Pilot Company; Chapman and Cutler LLP; Dorsey & Whitney LLP; Entergy Corporation; Liberty Mutual Insurance; and Paul Hastings, LLP. Baker Donelson created the portal and continues to maintain it in collaboration with the ABA.
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