Pennsylvania Pro Bono & Community Legal Resources

There are approximately 12.6 million people living in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Out of that number, around 11.7% live at or below the U.S. federal poverty line. With few financial resources at their disposal, such low-income individuals often slip through the cracks of the legal system. All too often, they are unaware that a vast network of pro bono services and community legal resources exist across the state of Pennsylvania. The following information highlights some of the best organizations in the state of Pennsylvania for receiving free legal assistance.

Pro Bono Services in Pennsylvania

Two primary organizations handle the bulk of the pro bono efforts in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, or PLAN, and the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation, or PBF. The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network is comprised of six specialized legal resource programs and ten individual, regional legal assistance programs that are designed for low-income people. The Pennsylvania Bar Foundation is the charitable arm of the Pennsylvania Bar Association; through it, members of the bar can donate their time to pro bono efforts.

The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
The Louise Brookins Building
118 Locust Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 800.322.7572

The Pennsylvania Bar Foundation
Pennsylvania Bar Association
100 South Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 800.932.0311


Pennsylvania Community Legal Resources

The preceding organizations are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to community legal resources in Pennsylvania. The following organizations are also available for low-income Pennsylvanians.

Legal Aid Volunteer Attorneys
1001 State Street, Suite 1200
Erie, PA 16501
Phone: 814.452.6949

Westmoreland County Pro Bono Program
218 South Maple Avenue, Suite 103
Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: 724.837.5539

Southern Allegheny Legal Aid Judicare Program
616 Main Street, Suite 500
Johnstown, PA 15901
Phone: 888.244.7252

Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
251 South 18th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: 215.545.3385

Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program (VIP)
42 South 15th Street, 4th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: 215-523-9550

The Keystone State is awash with topnotch pro bono services and community legal resources. If you or someone you know is in need of such help, make use of the preceding resources.