The Rhode Island Bar Association announced on April 3 several initiatives in recognition of National Volunteer Month, encouraging attorneys to participate in its pro bono and lawyer referral programs.
The association said these efforts help increase access to legal services for low-income individuals and support the professional development of lawyers across the state. The organization facilitates hundreds of pro bono cases each year through its Volunteer Lawyer Program, Pro Bono Program for the Elderly, and US Armed Forces Legal Services Project. New members are encouraged to join to expand legal protections for vulnerable populations.
Members who accept a pro bono case during April will be entered into a drawing for complimentary tickets to the Annual Meeting at the Convention Center on June 11 and 12. “We thank you for participating in the Bar’s Volunteer Lawyer Program, Pro Bono Program for the Elderly, and the US Armed Forces Legal Services Project. The Bar’s pro bono programs facilitate the placement of several hundred pro bono cases annually, but new members are always needed to join to increase the provision of legal protections,” according to a statement from the association.
The association also promotes its Lawyer Referral Service (LRS), which helps attorneys gain new clients while providing public service. Membership is available at a discounted rate until September 2026 before reverting to an annual fee. Applications can be completed on ribar.com or by contacting Amy Rodriguez directly.
The Rhode Island Bar Association offers services including continuing legal education, lawyer referrals, and pro bono programs according to its official website. It advances the legal profession by supporting equal access to justice and public legal awareness according to its official website. The association operates from headquarters at RI Law Center in Cranston according to its official website and collaborates with the Rhode Island Bar Foundation to improve justice access.
Founded in 1898, it serves legal professionals throughout Rhode Island by providing leadership opportunities as well as resources that enhance justice statewide according to its official website.
