Are you in legal trouble but aren’t sure if you can afford a lawyer? You might be able to find a pro bono lawyer who will argue your case for free. How do pro bono lawyers get paid when your pockets are empty?
What is a Pro Bono Lawyer?
A pro bono lawyer is someone who doesn’t charge their client for legal representation. The pro bono concept means that individuals and organizations with significant legal needs and slim financial resources can still get justice.
Why would a lawyer work on a case for free? There are compelling reasons that an attorney will opt to take on a pro bono client. Some of the most common ones include:
New Skills
Many state bar associations ask their members to perform pro bono work. The idea behind this suggestion is that pro bono casework gives an attorney new professional experiences. By working on areas of law outside of their routine scope of work, the lawyer becomes a more accomplished advocate.
Media Attention
The chance to obtain favorable media attention motivates lawyers to accept high-profile cases. Along with the positive attention, there’s a high chance that the media publicity will lead to paying clients.
Personal Satisfaction
It’s the rare person who didn’t go to law school, hoping to make a difference in the law. Visions of arguing a case in front of the United States Supreme Court that motivated them to struggle through mounds of case law. Meaningful pro bono work satisfies many lawyers’ desire to use their legal prowess to accomplish something significant in the law.
While providing legal service at no cost brings many benefits, it can be expensive. For instance, everyone working in the law office must receive a salary. Running the law office itself requires substantial resources.
How Do Pro Bono Lawyers Get Paid
How do pro bono lawyers get paid if they don’t charge a client? There’s no denying that handling a legal case isn’t cheap. A lawyer will incur many costs during legal action.
As a result, many lawyers are picky about what cases they’ll represent to continue paying their bills each month. Besides choosing wisely, pro bono lawyers have ways of accepting a client that doesn’t involve going bankrupt.
Examples of the ways that lawyers get paid include:
- Reduced court filing fees
- Agreement to receive any attorney fees awarded in a lawsuit
Civil attorneys may also do pro bono work on a contingent basis. The lawyer doesn’t charge the client anything until there is a successful conclusion to the lawsuit. The attorney receives a percentage of the money awarded to the client.
How to Find a Pro Bono Attorney
Now that you know that it’s possible to find no-cost legal representation, where do you find one? Fortunately, many attorneys do pro bono work every year, so your chances of finding one aren’t impossible. The Greater Harrisburg, PA, area offers a wide selection of legal services at no cost.
The Dauphin County Bar Association, for example, runs a nationally recognized pro bono program. Lawyers volunteer their talents and experience to handle all types of legal needs through the pro bono service.
Legal aid societies, such as the Harrisburg Legal Aid and Pro Bono Services, are also an excellent place to search for attorneys. Legal aid organizations often include groups that work for a specific client base, such as disability rights and eldercare.
Don’t allow an empty bank account to keep you from fighting for your rights. There are thousands of lawyers throughout Pennsylvania ready to give you no-cost legal assistance.
Last Thoughts
Hopefully, you now know that things like reduced court fees, professional development, and satisfaction help make providing pro bono work worthwhile. Additionally, potential attorney fees and contingent agreements make it possible for a lawyer to reap a substantial amount of money.
Gibson Bail Bonds makes it possible for you to search for a pro bono lawyer from your home. Contact us for your bail bond needs in the Harrisburg metropolitan area.
