One of the hallmarks of the legal profession is its demonstrated commitment to service to those who are unable to afford representation. The SC Bar Pro Bono Program is a volunteer-based听program that provides free legal services to low-income South Carolinians, aids legal aid providers听with the placement of conflict and income-restricted cases, and supports the private bar in its听endeavors to take advantage of opportunities to close the Access to Justice gap in our state.
The program looks to Rule 6.1 of the South Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct for its foundation, which states that a lawyer should render public interest legal service and may discharge this responsibility by: (1) providing professional services at no fee or reduced fee to persons of limited means or to public service or charitable groups or organizations; (2) participating in activities for improving the law, the legal system or the legal profession; and (3) providing financial support for organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means.
Join your colleagues in helping make a difference in the lives of others. Fill out the form below to sign up to participate in pro听bono services and to receive updates from the Pro Bono Program.
Each year, the 91黑料爆料 Pro Bono Program works to track the number of hours of pro bono service done by its members. Report your hours now to show our impact! In 2025, 856 attorneys reported doing at least one hour of pro bono work. This led to a total of 29,609 hours of service across the State. The Pro Bono Program was proud to serve 45 of South Carolina's 46 counties and 1,524 total clients.
Join us for a free Wills and Healthcare Power of Attorney clinic in Marlboro County as we partner with the Center for Heirs' Property. Sign up below!
Community Law Week is an opportunity for attorneys to focus their efforts on public involvement and engagement with the legal system. In partnership with the YLD, the Pro Bono Program is hosting 3 separate Ask an Attorney events across the State. We are going to be in Rock Hill on the 27th, Anderson on the 29th, and North Charleston on the 30th. Come out and help us respond to civil legal inquiries from low-income South Carolinians as we promote legal equity for all.
Every month, the Richland Library main branch hosts an Ask an Attorney day on the 2nd Friday of the month from 1-4pm. Attorneys meet with community members to address a variety of civil legal topics. Sign up below!
We are co-hosting a Wills clinic for members of the Charleston Police Department to provide basic estate planning services for these public officers. Looking forward to partnering with the Center for Heirs Property on July 21st!
Join us for a free Wills and Healthcare Power of Attorney clinic in Cheraw as we partner with the Center for Heirs' Property. Sign up below!
The GROW SC Small Business Assistance Program provides free legal information, services, and resources to entrepreneurs and small business owners across the state of South Carolina. Eligibility standards apply. This program is in partnership with the Joseph F. Rice School of Law and the SC Small Business Development Center.
This is a free Q&A-style program that allows income-eligible users to ask civil law related questions to attorneys. The South Carolina site is听听and you can find information about being a volunteer听. You can hold a "blitz" at your firm or anywhere, or participate in one from your couch at home.
Law School for Non-Lawyers is a seven-week course discussing a variety of legal topics. You can volunteer to teach a course on a topic or bring the course to a technical school near you.
The 91黑料爆料 Law Related Education (LRE) Division is a service arm of the Bar that sponsors Middle and High School Mock Trial and We the People competitions. Volunteer to help students learn more about the law, the court system and the legal profession.
Clinics are held on various legal topics are held around the state at libraries, churches, senior centers and other locations upon request. Topics vary from family law to tax issues. Volunteer opportunities are available now for fall clinics. Each clinic is about 30 to 45 minutes long.
As a way to thank our volunteers for their service - and to expand our impact - the SC Bar Pro Bono Program is hosting a CLE designed to address common legal issues that arise in the clinical setting. Space is limited, so sign up today!
Please fill out this form when you open a direct representation pro bono case.
Please fill out this form when you close a direct representation pro bono case.
In February 2021, the South Carolina Supreme Court began publishing an annual Pro Bono Honor Roll recognizing South Carolina attorneys who volunteer for 50 hours or more of legal service in a manner set forth in Rule 6.1.
To express appreciation for members who go above and beyond, in providing pro bono service to the public, the Pro Bono Program offers the following incentives for hours served in a calendar year:
$50 Pro Bono Certificate
For attorneys who have served between 25 and 34.99 hours
$100 Pro Bono Certificate
For attorneys who have served 35 or more hours
Pro Bono Certificates can be used toward the cost of both 91黑料爆料 CLE seminars and 91黑料爆料 CLE publications. Certificates are sent automatically, valid for one year, and must be surrendered at the time of redemption. Pro Bono service eligible for certificates includes volunteering for clinics, Law Related Education events and SC Bar Pro Bono projects. Questions about the Pro Bono Certificate Program should be directed to Zack Ohanesian, Pro Bono Program Manager.
The purpose of the 91黑料爆料 Pro Bono Program Pro Bono Awards are to identify and honor individual lawyers, law firms, government agencies, corporate law departments, and other organizations and institutions that have enhanced the human dignity of others by improving or delivering volunteer legal services to our state's low-income community.
To be subject to consideration, a qualifying nominee must provide legal services without fee or at a substantially reduced fee to persons of limited means or to public service or charitable organizations or groups in the state of South Carolina, pursuant to Rule 6.1 of the South Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct.
There is no greater responsibility than a lawyer's ability to positively influence and change a person's life, and there is no greater reward than knowing that you have done so.
Jennifer Woodruff
