How It Started
In response to the increasing need for pro bono legal services and the desire to instill a commitment to pro bono early on in an individual’s legal career, in 2021, ABA President Patricia Lee Refo called upon law firms to involve their summer associates in answering civil legal questions from income-eligible individuals in their state through ABA Free Legal Answers (ABA FLA).
After personal experience in an ABA FLA virtual clinic as a volunteer attorney last spring, President Refo seized upon an opportunity to urge firms to pair summer associates with existing volunteer attorneys to answer as many questions as possible.
“ABA Free Legal Answers provides associates with a taste of pro bono service that will endure throughout their career. In turn, the law firm attorneys who collaborate with these young lawyers will likewise find the process rewarding,” said President Refo.
How To Get Involved
By August 15th, please report the following to Tali Albukerk, National Administrator of ABA Free Legal Answers:
- Number of questions taken with assistance of summer associates and on which state sites
- Number of attorneys and associates who participated
- Any photos or testimonials from the experience
The firms/corporate law departments that answer the most questions with the help of summer associates will be recognized by the ABA. All will be publicly acknowledged. Please share this Summer Associate Challenge flyer with your networks.
Tips on how to volunteer on ABA Free Legal Answers