Nebraska State Bar's Volunteer Lawyers Project

The Nebraska State Bar Association's Volunteer Lawyers Project was created "to provide legal assistance to person who cannot afford to hire an attorney, nor can they receive assistance through the federally legal service program in the state."

The Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) was established in early 1980. The VLP relies on attorneys willing to donate the time and skills to the program. The VLP also relies on financial support from the legal community and other contributors.

All attorneys that participate in the program are covered under VLP malpractice insurance on any case they accept pro bono. Attorneys also receive CLE training through the program.

Contact Information:

Nebraska State Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project
635 S. 14th St., Suite 200,
Lincoln, NE 68508
Website: http://www.nebar.com/?VLP
Phone: 402-475-7091 Toll free: 800-742-3005 (In-state only)
Serving all counties statewide except for Douglas, Sarpy, Washington

How are Intakes and Referrals Handled?

Lawyer referrals and intakes are will now be received in the following ways:

from Self Help Centers;
from Domestic Violence Shelters;
from Legal Aid of Nebraska (LAN); or
from private attorneys where there is not a self-help desk located in their community.

What is a Self Help Center?

Self Help Centers have served over 3,500 pro se litigants annually.

VLP staffs the Self Help Desks in the courthouses located in the following areas:

Buffalo County - open the first Friday of the month from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.;
Douglas County - opened on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.;
Hall County - opened on Fridays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Lancaster County - opened on Monday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and on Thursday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.; and
Madison County - Madison County- opened on the third Friday of the month from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

In 2014, VLP is working to establish a self-help center in Scotts Bluff County and to formalize a partnership with the Phelps County Bar Association.

Finding an Attorney in Nebraska

Although not a traditional lawyer referral service, the Nebraska State Bar Association's Volunteer Lawyers Project providesan legal assistance to person who cannot afford to hire a regular private attorney, These non-profit public services help create a more fair civil justice system.