Every October, legal professionals across the United States come together to celebrate National Pro Bono Week, a time to honor the extraordinary contributions of volunteer attorneys and to encourage continued engagement in pro bono service. Organized by the American Bar Association, this year’s celebration runs from October 19–25, 2025, uniting lawyers, advocates, and community partners nationwide under the shared mission of expanding access to justice through free legal assistance.
According to the 2022 Justice Gap Report, more than 90% of low-income Americans receive inadequate or no legal help for their civil legal issues. These matters often involve serious personal concerns such as housing, family stability, employment, and public benefits. The lack of legal help is due in part to chronic underfunding of legal aid programs, a shortage of civil legal aid attorneys, and rising economic disparities that leave millions without basic legal protections.
Pro bono attorneys play a critical role in addressing these unmet needs. By providing free legal services, they help ensure that a person’s ability to seek justice is not determined by their financial means. Whether preparing estate planning documents, defending tenants’ rights, or guiding families through complex legal procedures, pro bono volunteers strengthen their communities and reinforce confidence in the fairness of the legal system.
National Pro Bono Week highlights the collective effort required to close the justice gap. When members of the legal profession contribute their time and skills in service to others, they help build a more equitable and accessible justice system—one that reflects the shared values of integrity, fairness, and public service. We at the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library echo this goal and these values, which are embodied in our institutional mission: to provide open and equal access to justice for all. Although we cannot provide legal advice or representation, we do offer legal reference services and access to research tools to support self-represented litigants. We also rely heavily on our partners in the community, such as the Houston Volunteer Lawyers and Lone Star Legal Aid, both of whom offer pro bono services to clients in need. If you need help with your legal matter, please visit the Finding Legal Help page on our website for even more pro bono options. (Also, check out the new HVL LAWPod Clinics!)
Ready to Serve? Take a Case!
Houston Volunteer Lawyers relies on pro bono attorneys to provide representation to its many clients. Your help is greatly needed! Not sure where to begin? Visit the Take a Case page on the HVL website to learn about pro bono opportunities in the Houston area. Cases address a variety of legal concerns: divorce, guardianship, expungement, immigration, probate, and services to veterans, to name a few. HVL will connect you with a client in need, and then support you from start to finish with CLE training, access to legal resources (including drafting tools), and mentorship. Join 3,000+ pro bono attorneys in bridging the justice gap today.
Pro Bono Texas offers plenty of additional opportunities to help via the Pro Bono Opportunity Portal. In-person and remote opportunities, as well as post-disaster opportunities, are available for low-income clients throughout the state. Non-attorney volunteers are needed, too. Visit the portal to learn more about how you can help in more than 20 different practice areas ranging from Appeals to Trusts & Estates. Serve any of the 20 causes and communities who need your help with legal research, litigation, limited scope representation, community education, and more.
Join the NOVA Pro Bono Program, an opportunity for retired lawyers (licensed in Texas or another state) to keep their legal skills sharp while supporting those in need. Participants can practice in a familiar area of the law or tackle a new area of focus to support community needs. NOVA is governed by Article XIII of the State Bar of Texas Rules. Learn more about the requirements and benefits of serving in the NOVA program by visiting the State Bar’s website. See: New Opportunities Volunteer Attorney (NOVA) Pro Bono Program.
Impact Litigation Pro Bono Opportunities are plentiful as well. Use your skills to create broad social or policy change for children, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community, or immigrants. Fight economic and racial injustice through precedent-setting actions. Support marginalized and underrepresented groups, including those featured on the ABA Litigation Section webpage, and see the benefits of your pro bono work for entire communities.