The mission of the Access to Legal Services Committee includes fostering support for free and reduced fee legal services with the goal of improving access to the legal system for all Virginians and for nonprofit charitable and civic groups that serve the public good. The Pro Bono / Access department and committee promote pro bono publico services by Virginia lawyers and encourages the integrated development of like contributions by law school faculty and students, lay mediators, court reporters, interpreters, tax accountants, paralegals, and members of related professions.
The VSB access to legal services director and committee examine ways in which access to legal services can be enhanced and opportunities for pro bono service can be expanded in a fashion that supports and complements the rich regional network of existing service providers. In doing this, work is done with the Virginia judiciary, voluntary bar associations, the Public Defender Commission, and the licensed legal aid societies to help local coalitions identify and address areas of emerging need, redundancies, or gaps in service or information.
The committee members are appointed by the VSB President-elect after volunteers are solicited in the fall in Virginia Lawyer magazine, in emails, and online; applications are due in February. Applicants send a brief résumé and fill out a committee preference form.
More information is available at VSB's Pro Bono / Access webpages.
Upcoming meetings may be found on the Calendar and are subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Agendas and call in numbers will be provided on the meeting entry on the Calendar.