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The Pro Bono Legal Corps (PBLC) was created with the goal of improving access to justice by increasing the availability of pro bono legal services. Supported by an AmeriCorps grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service, the PBLC offers law graduates the opportunity to promote public service among law students at law schools and attorneys, while developing their own legal and professional skills.

The primary responsibility of PBLC program participants, or Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Attorneys, is to collaborate with community legal aid providers, law students, and law schools to develop quality pro bono opportunities that expand legal resources in low-income and underserved communities. During their year of service, participants develop creative ways to instill a public service ethic at law schools by raising awareness about issues faced by disadvantaged clients, engaging law schools, law students and attorneys in activities that expand the availability of legal services, and developing sustainable public interest programming.  To gain hands-on, law-related expertise and experience, participants also provide direct legal assistance and/or develop substantive legal resources as part of their professional development and training throughout the program.

In Mississippi, four (4) Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Attorneys will help expand legal services to low income Mississippians. The AmeriCorps Attorneys will serve at four (4) different organizations (North Mississippi Rural Legal Services in Oxford, the Mississippi Center for Legal Services in Hattiesburg, the Mississippi Center for Justice in Jackson, and the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project in Jackson) to coordinate pro bono efforts across the State. The primary focus of each AmeriCorps Attorney will be to recruit volunteer law students and lawyers to serve the overwhelming number of low income Mississippians with legal needs.   
 

The attorney at North Mississippi Rural Legal Services will work with law students and volunteer attorneys in order to provide legal services to low income individuals through education and legal clinics on various legal issues. The attorney stationed at Mississippi Center for Legal Services will work to engage volunteer attorneys in pro bono work, and will work to develop educational workshops in order to educate the community and service providers on current legal issues. The attorneys working with Mississippi Center for Justice and Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project will work with partnering organizations in order to mobilize attorneys and law students in Mississippi and throughout the country to provide legal assistance to low income Mississippians, while continuing to ensure the provision of legal services to those rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Positions

North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, Oxford, MS - 1 position available beginning in August 2007 
Mississippi Center for Legal Services, Hattiesburg, MS - 1 position available beginning in August 2007  
Mississippi Center for Justice, Jackson, MS- 1 position available beginning in August 2007 
Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project, Jackson, MS - 1 position available beginning in August 2007

Position Benefits  

• Annual living allowance of $21,500.00

• Health care and dental coverage

• A $4,725 education award voucher to apply toward payment of education loans and other expenses

• Eligibility for all qualified student loans to be placed into forbearance during service and to receive an interest accrual payment at the end of the service

• Education, through conferences and CLE's, and hands-on training in the legal field on various legal issues 

• The opportunity to work with attorneys and law firms throughout Mississippi and he United States of America.   

Attorney candidates that are admitted to the Mississippi Bar or awaiting bar exam results may submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and a list of three (3) references to:  Katrina Pro Bono Legal Corps, North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, Attn: Amanda Glover Evans, P.O. Box 767, Oxford, MS 38655. 

North Mississippi Rural Legal Services is committed to meeting the legal needs of low income Mississippians.  We feel that with collaboration among the State legal organizations, and with the involvement of volunteers from the legal community and beyond, an effective response to the legal needs of low income Mississippians can be obtained.   

If you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Amanda Glover Evans at 1-800-559-5074, extension 2120.