Southeastern Ohio Legal Service

Write a Review740-594-3558

CLOSED NOW - Opens atTomorrow 8:30am

Pro Bono Opportunities If you would like information about pro bono opportunities at Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, send inquiries to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 1.800.589.5888, extension 114. The SEOLS offices maintain lists of local private attorneys and their practice areas to provide to applicants who do not qualify for our services. We receive many requests for legal assistance that must be referred to members of the private bar. Most of the necessary referrals are for those persons who need legal assistance that SEOLS does not provide, e.g. personal injury, workers' compensation, Social Security disability applications, criminal law issues. Some cases may be fee-generating by statute or by contingency fee arrangements. We also provide referrals to potential clients in situations where we are prevented from accepting a case due to a conflict or if the person's income exceeds our income limits. If you would like to join our referral list, please complete this form or call your local SEOLS office. Every year in this country, four out of five low income individuals in need of legal assistance are denied services. Many eligible clients do not receive help because of a language barrier, a disability, or a lack of literacy. Many others do not get assistance simply because of the overwhelming caseloads at Legal Aids. In the U.S., there is an average of one legal aid attorney for every 6, 861 low income individuals. This is a huge justice gap that desperately needs bridged. Pro bono volunteering is a great way to help your community and help many low income Ohioans gain access to justice. It is also a great way to network with other attorneys and learn a new area of law Save the Dream is Ohio's response to the national foreclosure crisis, and is supported by the Governor's Office, Ohio Department of Development, the Attorney General's Office, the Treasurer's Office, the Supreme Court of Ohio, Ohio Department of Commerce, Ohio Housing Finance Agency, the Ohio State Bar Association, and various legal aid organizations and housing counseling agencies. Pro bono attorneys participating in the Save the Dream Project will have many opportunities to provide legal services to homeowners in need. We have cases to refer for both limited representation (negotiation/mediation) and full representation (litigation). SEOLS sponsors free legal clinics, in collaboration with local bar associations, in Athens, Belmont, Fairfield, Gallia, Hocking, Knox, Licking, Meigs, Muskingum, Perry, Pike, Scioto, Tuscarawas, Vinton and Washington counties. These clinics give low-income residents the opportunity to have a brief face-to-face meeting with an attorney and to receive pro se form pleadings when appropriate. Clinics are an excellent opportunity for attorneys to volunteer with a small time commitment. LITC provides legal advice and representation to low income taxpayers involved in controversies with the IRS. In order to meet the great demand for tax assistance, SEOLS refers clients to private attorney volunteers to take cases on a pro bono basis. SEOLS thoroughly screens each client and case before referring it out to the volunteer community. The most typical controversies are filing status, dependency claims and deductions, and forgiven debt income. Typical remedies include offers in compromise and installment agreements. This program is especially well suited for transactional and corporate attorneys who desire to offer pro bono service outside of the courtroom setting. SEOLS can tailor these referrals based on the preference of volunteers. Please check out our LITC brochure for more information. SEOLS carries malpractice insurance, which provides primary coverage to a pro bono attorney's own coverage when handling pro bono cases.