Helping individuals in need of legal services.
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 program that provides free legal services to low-income South Carolinians, aids legal aid providers with the placement of conflict and income-restricted cases, and supports the private bar in its 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 bono services and to receive updates from the Pro Bono Program.
Get Involved
Report Your Service
Each year, the South Carolina Bar 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.
Hours Reporting Form
Volunteer Opportunities
October 17 - 31
November 1 - 13
November 14 - 28
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 sc.freelegalanswers.org and you can find information about being a volunteer here. 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 South Carolina Bar 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.
Law Talks 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.
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 spearheaded by the Joseph F. Rice School of Law.
Interested in expanding y our knowledge of tax law while giving back to the community? The Low-Income Tax Clinic at the Joseph F. Rice School of Law invites attorneys, paralegals, and tax professionals of all experience levels to join our Pro Bono initiative. Volunteers will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference by helping taxpayers negotiate their tax debts with the IRS, prepare innocent spouse affidavits, and address tax-related identity theft issues. We are also seeking dedicated professionals to join our Pro Bono Board and help expand the Tax Clinic’s reach and impact across South Carolina. Whether you are interested in volunteering, serving on the Pro Bono Board, or both, we would love to hear from you! To learn more or get involved, please email us at taxclinic@sc.edu.
SC Bar Pro Bono Goals
- Create and promote a culture of pro bono in South Carolina
- Meet the needs of low-income people in South Carolina
- Recognize and honor pro bono contributions in South Carolina
- Support the private bar in locating opportunities to close the Access to Justice Gap identified by the Access to Justice Commission
Upcoming Pro Bono Events
There are no upcoming public events at this time.
Report Your Pro Bono Service
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.
Pro Bono Recognitions
SC Supreme Court Pro Bono Honor Roll
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 South Carolina Bar CLE seminars and South Carolina Bar 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 South Carolina Bar 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.
Nomination Criteria & Guidelines
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.
Latest Pro Bono News
There are no news articles available at this time.
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