Involving volunteers from outside of the legal profession can enhance the services a pro bono program provides, both for clients and for volunteers. Services can be enhanced by the provision of supportive services for volunteer attorneys - such as court reporters or nurses - or by the provision of additional services for clients - such as social workers or counselors.
Clients' matters often require more than legal expertise to reach a resolution. Volunteers from a variety of professions can be of great assistance. Some professions that offer assistance necessary in serving clients are:
- court reporters
- medical profession
- appraisers
- actuaries
- accountants
- handwriting experts
- interpreters
- mediators
- psychologists
- paralegals
Ways in which to involve court reporters, medical and mental health professionals, and paralegals will be explored in more detail below as examples of how a pro bono program can engage professionals.