Make Justice Happen

Bridging the legal gap
between needs & solutions

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Donated by Volunteers since 2000
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Pro Bono Attorneys
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Houstonians Helped since 2000

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Founded in 1981

Houston Volunteer Lawyers

Houston Volunteer Lawyers (HVL) is the largest provider of pro bono legal services in Harris County and the surrounding areas. Thousands of private attorneys volunteer their time and expertise each year to provide free legal assistance on civil legal matters to eligible, low-income area residents.

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Take a Case

Houston Volunteer Lawyers has a variety of pro bono cases available in several practice areas for volunteers.

Legal Advice Clinics

Houston Volunteer Lawyers is seeking volunteer attorneys to assist with providing legal advice to HVL applicants.

Legal Education

Receive Continued Legal Education (CLE) credit through training courses or find helpful resources to use when assisting clients.

Donate

The Houston Bar Association's and Houston Bar Foundation's 2023 Harvest Campaign benefits Houston Volunteer Lawyers.

Join Our Programs

Support individuals and families that are most vulnerable in our community by giving back to the Harris County and the surrounding areas.

Contact Our Team

For questions on how to volunteer, pro bono cases, training or more, contact Houston Volunteer Lawyers today.

Attorney & Client Stories

Real Help, Real Impact

Eric W. Boylan, Associate Attorney, Locke Lord LLP

It was my pleasure to help and I’ve recommended guardianship pro bono cases to several other associates I’ve talked to since the case closed. It’s truly rewarding work and it does a real good for the community, and I’m very grateful that my firm underwrites it.

Sharon, HVL Client

I am very appreciative of the consult you were able to provide. He clarified a lot of matters and was able to give some advice. Again, thank you for your assistance.

Ryan Burns, Associate Attorney, Locke Lord LLP Designation

This case will no doubt be the most meaningful case of my career. Prior to our engagement, my client had given up all hope of recovering any money from the contractor and was unable to pay her bills that were coming due. We connected on a personal level and established a strong relationship during the three years that I spent representing her. The settlement funds changed my client's life. Time and again, she expressed her sincere appreciation and gratitude for the result that we were able to secure for her.

Eric Haitz, Senior Associate, Baker Botts LLP Designation

Success in an eviction case isn’t just a win. It’s client’s children getting to stay in the same school. It’s client’s jobs not being interrupted. It’s elderly tenants not having to arrange a burdensome move. It’s not about me, it’s about having an impact in the community you call home, and I can think of no better place to start bettering a community than advocating for housing security issues like eviction.

Emma Doineau, Assistant General Counsel, Locke Lord LLP Designation

The experience has been incredibly rewarding. Not only did pro bono work hone my courtroom advocacy skills, but it also demonstrated firsthand that adequate access to justice often has a transformative impact on people’s lives.

Lauren Brogdon, Partner, Haynes and Boone, LLP Designation

My first volunteer experience was at an intake clinic at the Houston Area Women’s Center, and since then, I have assisted dozens of clients in obtaining protective orders, divorces, and custody of their children. I am continually amazed by my clients’ resilience, courage, and strength as they break from past patterns and navigate a new reality.

Eric W. Boylan, Associate Attorney, Locke Lord LLP

The judge also was kind enough to complement opposing counsel and I at the end of the hearing – “good lawyering” he said. That felt good. So did hearing how elated Stacey was when she called me after. Thanks for all of your help and advice. This was an exciting hearing and I’m glad we could get a good result for the client.

Brandon Bell, Associate Attorney, Hunton Andrews Kurth Designation

This [pro bono] work has powerfully demonstrated two things, (i) Without legal representation, individuals are often not even aware of the rights and protections afforded by the law, much less able to avail themselves of them; and (ii) merely informing the other side that an individual has legal representation—without any other action—often results in demonstrably better results in a system where counterparties, who almost invariably benefit from a significant disparity in leverage and resources, are accustomed to winning cases without any resistance.