Pro bono legal services are services that are provided to a person or entity without requirement or expectation of payment to the attorney for the services. These volunteer legal services are provided by lawyers—often through state bar associations—and are usually available only to persons who are unable to pay for the services, and qualify as indigent based on their income. In contrast, legal aid services are often provided at no cost or reduced cost by attorneys who work for nonprofit entities, and the attorneys are paid a modest salary by the nonprofit entity.
In Louisiana (LA), pro bono legal services are an important aspect of the legal community's commitment to ensuring access to justice for all, particularly for those who cannot afford legal representation. Attorneys in Louisiana, as in other states, often provide pro bono services through various programs, including those organized by the state bar association. The Louisiana State Bar Association encourages lawyers to provide pro bono legal services to the indigent and has established guidelines and programs to facilitate this. These services are typically available to individuals who qualify based on their income and are considered indigent. Legal aid, on the other hand, refers to legal services provided at no or reduced cost to the client, with the attorneys employed by nonprofit organizations receiving a salary from those organizations. Both pro bono services and legal aid aim to bridge the gap in legal services for those unable to afford them, but they operate under different models of funding and service delivery.