The Legal Services Corporation Board of Directors has adopted a resolution recognizing the important role that pro bono lawyers play in closing the justice gap for the poor.  The resolution calls on legal aid programs to explore ways to expand opportunities to involve volunteer lawyers.

LSC, formed by Congress in 1974, promotes equal access to justice and to provide high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans.  LSC funds civil legal services programs in all 50 states and US territories.  LSC guidelines promote pro bono service--  the involvement of private attorneys in the delivery of civil legal services to the poor-- to supplement the work of legal aid programs.

A copy of the resolution may be downloaded here.  LSC will issue additional support materials and guidance soon.  The Corporation has created an online pro bono resource center for its grantees here: http://www.lri.lsc.gov/probono/probono.asp.