Access to Legal Services Committee
The mission of this department, including the Access to Legal Services Committee, includes fostering support for free and reduced fee legal services with the goal of improving access to the legal system for all Virginians and for nonprofit charitable and civic groups that serve the public good. The department and committee promote pro bono publico services by Virginia lawyers and encourages the integrated development of like contributions by law school faculty and students, lay mediators, court reporters, interpreters, tax accountants, paralegals, and members of related professions. The VSB access to legal services director and committee examine ways in which access to legal services can be enhanced and opportunities for pro bono service can be expanded in a fashion that supports and complements the rich regional network of existing service providers. In doing this, work is done with the Virginia judiciary, voluntary bar associations, the Public Defender Commission, and the licensed legal aid societies to help local coalitions identify and address areas of emerging need, redundancies, or gaps in service or information.