What You Need to Know About Finding a Pro Bono Attorney for Sexual Assault
Searching for an attorney for a case as sensitive and personal as sexual assault can be challenging. Here is everything you need to know about finding a pro bono attorney for sexual assault.
What is a Pro Bono Attorney?
The term “pro bono” comes from the Latin phrase meaning “for the public good.” Pro bono lawyers are attorneys that do work for low-income clients free of charge. Nearly every state has an ethical rule that calls upon lawyers to render pro bono services. In the law school setting, pro bono generally refers to student provision of voluntary, law-related services to people of limited means or to community-based nonprofit organizations, for which the student does not receive academic credit or pay.
Related: How to Find a Pro Bono Lawyer in California
1. Ask Your Advocates for Suggestions
The first thing a victim should do when searching for a pro bono attorney for sexual assault is to look to advocates for advice. The victim should ask them to recommend an attorney with whom they can be open and honest about all facts of their case. If someone is lucky enough to be on a campus with a good women’s center or organization dedicated to interpersonal violence prevention and victims’ services, they should ask members to see if they have any recommendations for legal support. They may be able to point the victim toward a firm or office that has experience dealing with this area of law. It is important to remember, however, that any conversation one has with an advocate might not be legally privileged. Once a victim has legal representation, everything they say to their attorney is confidential and protected by attorney-client privilege. This same privilege extends to initial meetings with potential counsel, even if the client ends up choosing someone else.
2. Look For Organizations and Firms That Specialize in This Field of Law
When looking for counsel, it is important to choose a lawyer that specializes in the field of sexual assault law. While any lawyer probably has the basic knowledge to handle a case, a lawyer that specializes in sexual assault law is the best way to ensure that a victim gets the justice they deserve. Some organizations and firms as a whole specialize in sexual assault law, and some individual lawyers in larger firms specialize in it.
Here at Her Lawyer, our women’s rights attorneys are equipped to help victims with their sexual assault cases.
3. Look for Attorneys or Firms That Do Pro-Bono Work
Victims of sexual assault should not have to pay out of pocket for justice, especially if they cannot afford it. There are plenty of pro bono attorneys out there that specialize in sexual assault. While Her Lawyer does not offer pro bono services, our lawyers here recognize that everyone has their own financial needs, and are more than happy to work with their clients to find a plan that works for them. However, there are other lawyers and firms that can do full pro bono cases. Because of the national attention that is now being drawn to Title IX cases, there are many attorneys willing to take on cases pro bono. Contacting local law schools can also be helpful, especially if they have a law school clinic.
4. Come Prepared to Attorney Meetings
Victims searching for a sexual assault attorney may need to bring specific legal documents to their consultation or preliminary phone call with the attorney. It is recommended for victims to write down their own experiences and create a timeline with supporting documents prior to meeting with an attorney. It is important to remember one should not disclose any materials until they choose an attorney to represent them. They should also make sure they have their Social Security Number, income level, and any other legal documents they have when you make initial contact with their potential attorney.
5. Don’t Give Up
All victims deserve justice. The process of finding an attorney and going through a case can be very tiring and emotionally triggering, but it is an important process to go through. Victims will find themselves recounting their stories many times to many different people in the legal system, thus, it is important for them to take care of themselves. They should know that the support they need and deserve is out there.
Contact Us
If you have any more questions about finding a pro bono sexual assault attorney, contact us. We’ll get you in touch with the most qualified and affordable lawyer for your needs and preferences. Get your free consultation with one of our experienced sexual assault attorneys for women in California!