Take a Case this Pro Bono Month - October 1-31
This October, join Houston Volunteer Lawyers in celebrating Pro Bono Month by making a direct impact in the lives of those who need it most. Our goal: connect as many clients as possible with pro bono attorneys throughout the month.
View waiting cases here.
Need guidance? Email Brittany.Krohn@hvlp.org to find cases suited for you or your firm.
Special highlights this year:
- Guardianship Cases – Protect vulnerable adults and children by ensuring they have responsible guardians.
- Family Law – Help clients achieve safety and independence while promoting stability for children when custody is at stake.
- Probate – Protect family legacies by preserving homeownership and passing on generational wealth to future generations.
New Associate Bootcamp
Jumpstart your new associates’ careers with HVL’s New Associate Bootcamp! This program helps firms integrate pro bono work from day one—building practical skills, boosting confidence, and creating meaningful client impact.
Kick off with training highlighting how pro bono sharpens essential legal skills.
Receive an overview of current HVL cases and opportunities.
Collaborate with HVL to match associates with the right cases for a seamless experience.
Requirement: Participating firms are asked to have each new associate take on at least one case.
Ready to get started? Contact Brittany.Krohn@hvlp.org
CLE Opportunities
Annual Guardianship & Ad Litem CLE – October 17
Prepare to handle guardianship cases and earn the certification to serve as an ad litem in court. Hear from judges, professors, and experienced practitioners.
Includes 1.5 hours of ethics.
Probate Courts: From Procedure to Practice – October 30
Learn practical guidance for navigating probate court procedures, filings, and courtroom practice. Gain insight into local court resources and the supportive environment fostered by our probate courts. Presented by Amy Jaasma, Matthews & Jaasma L.L.P.
Includes 0.25 hours of ethics.
Naturalization Clinic - November 1
Naturalization Clinic – Saturday, November 1
Purpose:
Provide legal assistance with naturalization services to low-income Legal Permanent Residents.
Attorney Volunteers:
- Complete HVL’s online naturalization training (sent one week prior to the clinic)
- Attend morning orientation from 8–8:30 a.m.
- Meet with your assigned client to assess eligibility (clients are pre-screened)
- Serve as attorney of record for completion and submission of the N-400 Application for Naturalization only
- Complete the N-400 and, if applicable, the I-912 Fee Waiver
Non-Attorneys & Paraprofessionals:
- Assist with interpretation, translation, and completing applications
Additional training, logistics, and details will be shared with volunteers the week of the clinic.
Legal Advice Clinics
Pro bono attorneys needed to provide legal advice at LegalLine and Veterans Clinics during the month of October. Click the clinic name to see available dates.
Family Law Clinics
HVL offers two clinics where volunteer attorneys assist pro se family law litigants:
LAWPods Clinic: 1st & 3rd Wednesday mornings at the downtown Law Library. Volunteers meet clients via Zoom from a private LAWPod, draft key motions or documents, and email them to clients the same day. Each clinic handles three cases, all carefully screened, with limited-scope representation—no court appearances required.
ScribeHELP Clinic: 2nd & 4th Thursday evenings, 4–7 PM via Zoom. Volunteers help three litigants in a flexible time window, drafting documents to move their cases forward.
Both clinics are perfect for attorneys seeking drafting practice, an intro to family law, or a fixed-time, meaningful volunteer opportunity. Training can be viewed here.
Volunteer Recognition
