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Process for Attorney Volunteers and Pro Bono Coordinators
Learn how to provide pro bono services through Green Pro Bono
Fill out our form
Pro Bono Coordinators and Prospective Attorney Volunteers fill out our “Provide Legal Services” form to receive a weekly curated list of pro bono opportunities for yourself or your law firm.
1
Receive a weekly curated list of “Green” pro bono opportunities
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A Green Pro Bono team member screens incoming Requests for Legal Services.
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An intake meeting is scheduled with each prospective client to define legal needs and readiness, verify authenticity, and confirm eligibility.
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Client-facing staff are barred attorneys, ensuring a thorough intake process.
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Only vetted requests are forwarded to the pro bono network.
2
Reply to our distribution email to register your interest
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A Green Pro Bono team member screens incoming Requests for Legal Services.
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An intake meeting is scheduled with each prospective client to define legal needs and readiness, verify authenticity, and confirm eligibility.
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Client-facing staff are barred attorneys, ensuring a thorough intake process.
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Only vetted requests are forwarded to the pro bono network.
3
Green Pro Bono hosts hand-off meeting and handles follow-up requests
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Green Pro Bono facilitates a conflict check process with the volunteer firm / attorney(s).
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An introductory meeting is set up with Green Pro Bono, the client, and volunteer attorney(s) to define the scope and hand off the legal request
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Green Pro Bono remains available throughout the pro bono relationship.
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Follow-up needs outside the original scope are managed by:
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The existing legal team
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Forming a new team within the same firm
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Reengaging the client in a new matching process.
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4
Client Criteria and Referral Pipelines
Clients are introduced to Green Pro Bono through partnership channels (e.g., accelerators, incubator programs, environmental justice networks, universities) or direct inquiries via the Green Pro Bono website. All prospective clients fill out our application to request pro bono legal services.
Green Pro Bono evaluates eligibility for our services based on three factors: (1) Mission, (2) Financial need, and (3) Client-Type. We maintain flexible standards to maximize our impact, while recognizing that law firms may have stricter requirements. Green Pro Bono is happy to collaborate with law firm pro bono teams to assess client eligibility based on firm-specific criteria.
Mission-Driven
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Green Pro Bono prioritizes organizations and individuals whose work is rooted in a social justice mission.
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Requests from startups and small businesses are evaluated carefully to ensure that they meet the criteria of a social enterprise.
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The overall impact of an organization’s environmental mission is considered to avoid unintended harm to communities and greenwashing.
Financial Need
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Due to the variety of organizations and individuals we work with, financial requirements vary based on client-type.
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Financial data is self-reported and can be shared with a volunteer firm on request.
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If a volunteer law firm has strict guidelines that they must follow with pro bono clients, we are happy to ask clients to send proof of income via financial records to the volunteer law firm for additional review.
Client-Type
Nonprofits & Community Organizations
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Must show that legal fees would impact resources or mission
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Evaluated on finances, past legal aid, mission, and service needs
Social Enterprises
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Must have a clear mission with measurable climate impact
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Must allocate a portion of profits to mission-driven work
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Must lack funds for legal expenses
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Pro bono support is time-limited until financial viability
