Legal services providers that are funded by the Legal Services Corporation ("LSC") are required to comply with a number of regulations, as set forth in the Regulations of the Legal Services Corporation, CFR 45 PART 1600 et seq. Specifically, Part 1614 governs LSC recipients' private attorney involvement ("PAI") activities (see also the Federal Register). The LSC regulations also may apply to programs that receive funds and sub-grants from an LSC-funded program.
In 2011, in response to the growing need for legal services to those who cannot otherwise afford an attorney, LSC created the Pro Bono Task Force.
The task force, co-chaired by LSC Board members Martha Minow, of Harvard Law School, and Harry J.F. Korrell III, of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP,
included more than 60 distinguished leaders and experts from the judiciary, major corporations, private practice, law schools, the federal government, and the legal aid community. Its charge was to identify and recommend innovative ways to enhance pro bono throughout the country.
After a year of research, the Task Force released the LSC Report of the Pro Bono Task Force in 2012 with recommendations on steps LSC could take to increase pro bono involvement.
This report led to numerous changes and the implementation of new initiatives within LSC. This update from 2014 details steps taken by LSC in response to the Task Force report. Two notable changes were the revisions to the PAI regulations and the implementation of the Pro Bono Innovation Fund.
The Pro Bono Innovation Fund (PBIF) offers grants for new pro bono initiatives, collaborations, and partnerships to engage more lawyers and other professions in pro bono service, address gaps in legal services, and address persistent challenges in pro bono delivery systems.-LSC Pro Bono Innovation Fund Website
Since 2014, Pro Bono Innovation Fund has awarded $18,179,749 to 67 projects in 28 states and the District of Columbia.
For further information, please contact the ABA Center for Pro Bono.
Updated March 2020