Rule 6.1 of the Hawaii Professional Rules of Conduct states that a lawyer should aspire to provide at least fifty hours of pro bono services per year.
To assist attorneys who wish to provide pro bono legal services, here is a list of volunteer opportunities:
LIST OF VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES
Please check with the following legal service providers to find out how you can help:
- Access to Justice Room at the Honolulu District Court The Honolulu District Court Access to Justice Room is a joint effort of the Judiciary, the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission, the Hawaii State Bar Association, and the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii to increase access to justice for self-represented litigants at the state District Court. Volunteer attorneys are needed to provide legal advice through short-term limited legal services and help self-represented litigants better understand the court process and the law, which may apply to their case. The hours of the Access to Justice Room are: Mondays and Wednesdays weekly, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; and the first and third Fridays of the month from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Training for attorneys wishing to volunteer is now available online. Please contact Sergio Alcubilla at (808) 527-8063 to make arrangements. Also sign up at: http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/443224216012 (Volunteer attorneys provide limited legal assistance to self-represented litigants with legal advice on civil matters related to landlord-tenant cases, collection cases, and temporary restraining order cases, which involve non-family members or parties who are not now, or have not been in a dating relationship.)
- Access to Justice Room at Family Court (Kapolei) The Access to Justice Room at the Ronald T.Y. Moon Kapolei Courthouse, 4675 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei HI 96707 is open on the first and third Thursdays of every month, 11:30 to 1:30 p.m.
- Self Help Center (Maui) The Self Help Center located at Hoapili Hale, 2145 Main Street, Wailuku, HI is open on Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to noon. Please contact Jennifer Oana, Nicole Forelli, or Judge Rhonda Loo at selfhelpcentermaui@gmail.com to help.
- Self Help Center (Hilo) The Self Help Center located at Hale Kaulike, 777 Kilauea Avenue, first floor, Hilo, HI 96720-4212, is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Attorneys interested in volunteering can sign up online at Signup.com or send an email to hiloselfhelpcenter@gmail.com.
- Self Help Center (Kauai) The Self Help Center located at Puuhonua, 3970 Kaana Street, Lihue, HI 96766, is open Monday and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon. Please contact Alton Amimoto, Deputy Chief Court Administrator, Fifth Circuit, (808) 482-2347 to volunteer.
- Self Help Desk (Kona) The Self Help Desk is located at the Kona Courthouse, Keakealani Building, 79-1020 Haukapila Street, Kealakekua, HI 96750 (located at the desk in the back of the Law Library). It is open on Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii
www.acluhawaii.org/need-legal-help/
Ph. 522-5900
The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii protects individual freedoms guaranteed by the constitution (including freedom of speech/religion, due process, and protection from unlawful searches and seizures.)
Domestic Violence Action Center
www.domesticviolenceactioncenter.org
Ph. 531-3771 (1-800-690-6200)
The Domestic Violence Action Center provides civil legal representation in Family Court and client advocacy (for a year or longer) for survivors of abuse in the interest of safety and self-sufficiency. Additional services include legal helpline, on-site court assistance, services to diverse populations, education, training, and technical assistance.
Hawaii Appleseed Center on Law and Economic Justice
www.hiappleseed.org
Ph. 578-7605
The Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice advocates on behalf of low-income and marginalized people in Hawaii through the use of class action litigation, advocacy with the legislature and other government entities, and research and report writing.
Hawaii Disability Rights Center
www.hawaiidisabilityrights.org
Ph. 949-2922 (1-800-882-1057)
The Hawaii Disability Rights Center is the protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities providing outreach, education, training, individual case advocacy, and legal representation.
Hawaii State Bar Association
www.hawaiilawyerreferral.com
Ph. 537-1868
The Hawaii State Bar Association’s lawyer referral line can provide the names of three lawyers who may be able to assist a person for a reduced fee. Every Wednesday night from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., the Hawaii State Bar Association also runs a Legal Line, which provides legal information by volunteer lawyers.
Legal Aid Society of Hawaii
www.legalaidhawaii.org
Ph. 536-4302 (1-800-499-4302)
The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii provides statewide legal assistance for low-income clients in areas, including, but not limited to, family, housing and housing discrimination, public benefits, consumer, tax, and immigration. Most services require that clients be under 125% of the federal poverty guidelines to quality.
Maximum Legal Services Corporation
www.maxcorp-hi.org
Ph. 585-0920
The Maximum Legal Services Corporation provides trustee, conservatorship, and other services for people who need help managing their finances or properties.
Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation
www.nhlchi.org
Ph. 521-2302
The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, which asserts, protects and defends Native Hawaiian rights to land, natural resources, and related entitlements, offers direct legal representation in substantive areas encompassing quiet title to land, natural resources, customary and traditional practices, public trust land entitlements and related areas.
University of Hawaii Elder Law Program
www.hawaii.edu/uhelp/
Ph. 956-6544
The University of Hawaii Elder Law Program is located at the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii at Manoa and provides limited civil legal services and counseling on the island of Oahu to socially and economically needy older persons who are 60 years of age or older.
Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii
www.vlsh.org
Oahu: 528-7046 Big Island: 313-8210 Maui: 727-8210 Kauai: 698-8210
The Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii provides free or reduced cost civil legal services, with volunteer attorneys, for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. Applicants must have incomes below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for free legal assistance.
Dispute Resolution Centers
Kauai Economic Opportunity
www.keoinc.org
Ph. 245-4077
Kauai Economic Opportunity provides mediation and dispute resolution services that are affordable and accessible to resolve all types of matters, including but not limited to, divorce, custody and visitation, landlord/tenant, workplace, civil rights, and special education.
Ku`ikahi Mediation Center
www.hawaiimediation.org
Ph. 935-7844
In East Hawaii, Ku`ikahi Mediation Center provides mediation and dispute resolution services that are affordable and accessible to resolve all types of matters, including but not limited to, divorce, custody and visitation, landlord/tenant, workplace, civil rights, consumer/merchant, and foreclosure.
Maui Mediation Services
www.mauimediation.org
Ph. 244-5744
Maui Mediation Services provides mediation and dispute resolution services for the islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. It offers a wide variety of services in cases where individuals or businesses would like assistance in solving conflict in a professional and respectful way.
The Mediation Center of the Pacific
www.mediatehawaii.org
Ph. 521-6767
The Mediation Center of the Pacific provides mediation and dispute resolution services that are affordable and accessible to resolve all types of matters, including but not limited to, divorce, custody and visitation, landlord/tenant, workplace, civil rights, family, elder issue, and special education.
West Hawaii Mediation Center
www.whmediation.com
Ph. 808-885-5525/ 808-326-2666
West Hawaii Mediation Center provides mediation and dispute resolution services that are affordable and accessible to resolve all types of matters, including but not limited to, divorce, custody and visitation, landlord/tenant, workplace, civil rights, consumer/merchant, and foreclosure.