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If you are an attorney and would like to accept a pro bono case, please click here or contact PSB@dadelegalaid.org. Put Something Back offers a variety of cases and innovative projects involving a wide array of pro bono opportunities. Please join the ranks of thousands of Miami attorneys and accept a case from one of Dade Legal Aid's award winning projects: Family Law & GAL Project, Child Advocacy Project, Foster Youth Project, Probate & Guardianship Project, Domestic Violence Project, Consumer Project, Housing Project, Patent Project, Venture Law Project, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Self Help Clinics and more. For a list of pending cases click HERE

The Florida Bar Annual Statement includes a pro bono reporting requirement to report your contributions toward the Supreme Court aspirational goals of either 20 hours of pro bono service or donating $350 to Legal Aid each year. While providing pro bono is optional, completing the pro bono reporting form is mandatory.  If you are presently working on a case, you may simply report your hours in order to receive pro bono credit. If you are handling a case on your own, or through another organization, you can simply let us know to be counted. If you cannot accept a case or would like to make a "buy-in" donation of $350 or more in lieu of accepting a case, please donate online or mail your "buy-in" donation to Dade Legal Aid.  

"Buy-In" Contributions

As attorneys, we took an Oath and solemnly swore to never reject, from any consideration, the cause of the defenseless or oppressed. In support of that Oath, Florida Bar Rule 4-6.1 encourages attorneys to give back at least 20 hours of pro bono service annually or make a financial contribution of $350 and to report these contributions. "Buy-Ins" help us continue providing critical legal services to disadvantaged individuals and families, especially during these challenging times. Your contribution fulfills your pro bono requirement so long as you report your donation on your Bar Dues Statement. Click here to contribute. 

Monetary Donations

Individual, 100% Law Firm, CyPres, Corporate and other charitable donations help sustain the critical work of Dade Legal Aid. You and your firm may also designate Dade Legal Aid in your United Way Charitable Giving, through the Dade Legal Aid Fund at the Miami Foundation, and in your Estate Planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

ATTENTION PRO BONO ATTORNEYS:

What is Put Something Back? (“PSB”)  The Official Program for providing pro bono, or free legal assistance to the needy of Miami-Dade County, created by Dade Legal Aid with support of the Courts and Bar to increase access to the civil legal system for low-income litigants.  PSB is the circuit clearinghouse for attorneys who want to volunteer to help the indigent population of the community including the large Spanish and Creole-speaking populations. Through PSB, clients are referred to volunteer attorney experienced in a wide range of legal matters to assist the needs of residents across our communities.  Cases are referred in areas of family law; children’s matters requiring Guardians Ad Litem in family, juvenile dependency, domestic violence, probate, immigration, and civil court proceedings; consumer, bankruptcy; and housing concerns; domestic violence permanent injunction matters;  general civil issues; social security and veterans benefits; employment matters; the preparation and processing of wills; and, non-fee generating civil court cases.  Since its inception in 1991​, the pro bono program has handled thousands of cases and recruited over 7,500 attorneys and 250 law firm participants. It is the largest and most comprehensive pro bono project in Florida, but we cannot do it without YOU.

What about professional liability insurance? When you accept a case through PSB, you are covered by our E&O insurance for free.  If you have your own insurance, PSB insurance is in excess of any other.  If you are uninsured, it is primary for any covered claims so long as you have followed program procedures.

What if I cannot accept the case referred to me? Once a case is referred to you, it is deemed accepted until or unless you notify PSB otherwise. If you are unable to accept the case referred, you must IMMEDIATELY call PSB at (305) 579-5733 ext. 2264, return the case and notify the client that you are not representing them.  If a case that is assigned to you is over-income, you must also notify the project, but you may handle it on a low-bono or fee generating basis if client agrees.

I am a criminal, government, corporate or PI attorney.  How can I accept a case? PSB has a wide range of cases for volunteers including expungement cases, minor settlements and contracts.  We will train you if you are unfamiliar with the case categories offered.  PSB provides FREE CLE accredited training courses and has experienced attorneys willing to assist you in all areas as mentors.  Forms and manuals are available upon request. (Click here for more information)

I am retired or not presently practicing law, or I have no office or staff.  What can I do? PSB needs your assistance. Retired and inactive attorneys may become “Emeritus” lawyers and accept cases under the supervision of a Legal Aid staff attorney or may assist with client intake. You also may donate funds, participate in pro se clinics, provide training, refer cases, be a mentor, or help prepare forms and handbooks.  Training and assistance are available to all participants.

I volunteer at my church, provide wills for my neighbors or help the Girl Scouts.  Does that qualify for PSB? PSB’s goal is to recruit all members of the private bar to provide legal representation to the poor so that they will have equal access to the judicial system.  General community service is commended but will not qualify, nor will legal work for a non-eligible client organization.

Participation in an approved pro bono legal project will qualify.  You must notify this office upon acceptance of a referral from a qualifying project in order to be credited.  If you or your group want to begin a qualifying project, contact PSB for approval and assistance.

How many hours and how many cases am I expected to handle? PSB volunteers contribute a minimum of 20 hours of legal services per year or “buy-in” for $350.00 per year to Legal Aid.

When is a case completed? After accepting a case, the attorney is expected to complete the case to final resolution, not including an appeal.

Who pays costs? All pro bono clients are low income.  The Affidavit of Indigency is the official court document which must be filed in order for the clerk to waive filing fees, serve process, make copies, or publish notices of action.  For Bankruptcy cases, there is a different form for filing for indigency status. Very limited funds are available to pay other costs (e.g. depositions, expert witnesses).  If the client cannot pay and you need to expend these or other costs, you must call PSB first for approval.  Only approved costs will be reimbursed.  Mediation services are available to pro bono attorneys at no cost. 

What if I collect a fee? Where possible, volunteers should seek to recover fees and costs from opposing parties.  All fees and costs collected are rebated to PSB and will help defray the costs of other cases. (Click here for Cost Recovery Agreement). 

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L to R:  Morgan Edelboim, Jorge Miranda, Jane Fernandes de Pina, Dana Quick, Angela Fiorentino, Jeffrey Bast, Former Judge Stanford Blake, Brett M. Amron, John Eder, Cece Pelaez and Gaby Rodriguez

On behalf of Dade Legal Aid and our grateful pro bono clients, thank you for your support!

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