According to a 2025 Report done by the American Bar Association, more than 75 percent of attorneys in the U.S. have provided pro bono service during their careers.[1] Despite that impressive statistic, the need for civil legal services for people who cannot afford them is overwhelming. There are thousands of Idahoans who need help.

Last Fall many volunteer attorneys provided pro bono services through the Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program (IVLP). Attorneys volunteering through IVLP provided legal advice and reviewed documents for low-income Idahoans at our Lawyer in the Library clinics. They also gave advice and counsel over the phone during our telephone clinics. Some attorneys even agreed to represent clients in divorce actions, evictions, custody cases, and guardianships. The clients that receive assistance are unable to afford to pay for legal services and most live in households with annual incomes at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

New Attorney Program

On September 26, 2025, over 125 newly licensed attorneys to the Idaho State Bar learned about IVLP at the New Attorney Program. While the program consists of an introduction on Idaho practice, procedure and ethics, it also provides important information about the Idaho State Bar and Idaho Law Foundation programs. Welcome!

Justice Uncorked

Access to Justice is a campaign that raises funds to support IVLP, Idaho Legal Aid Services, and Disability Rights Idaho—the three principal providers of civil legal services for low-income and vulnerable Idahoans. This year, the campaign held its first Justice Uncorked event. Attorneys and their friends and family enjoyed the evening of September 18, 2025, at Split Rail Winery. The evening featured live music, a silent auction, dinner and wine. Inspiring stories from two Idahoans whose lives were changed by the free legal help they received from IVLP and Disability Rights Idaho was the highlight of the evening. The event was a success.

Pro Bono Week

October 19^th – 25^th was the National Celebration of Pro Bono, otherwise known as Pro Bono Week. This celebration is held every October and is an opportunity to show appreciation for the remarkable pro bono work being done by volunteer lawyers and legal professionals.

            Pro bono work is a professional responsibility and an individual ethical commitment for every attorney. Numerous organizations nationwide celebrated pro bono through outdoor events, video contests, and social media campaigns.

            Here in Idaho, the week kicked off with an in person continuing legal education program and reception at Sockeye Alehouse in Boise. Attorney Denise Penton presented on the basics of family law and provided checklists for pro bono attorneys to use when they take on a case outside their general practice area. The CLE was well attended and recorded for use by those interested in volunteering to take on a divorce or custody matter.

            Following the kickoff event and CLE, IVLP volunteers assisted over 25 Idahoans in various legal clinics. Attorneys Camie Wood, Cody Specht, Bruce Castleton, Shane Bengoechea, and Rob Vail assisted with telephone advice and counsel legal clinics. Jaycee Nall and Rachel Murphy provided in-person legal assistance. Additionally, the Idaho Military Legal Alliance held a legal clinic assisting more than 15 veterans and military members. Finally, the Young Lawyers Section partnered with Parsons Behle & Latimer to provide pro bono estate planning services to Idaho first responders. Called the Wills for Heroes program, more than 20 volunteer attorneys and 15 law students participated. They assisted more than 50 firefighters and their spouses.

Emeritus Licensing Status

            With licensing upon us, those attorneys considering going to inactive or senior status may want to look at transferring to Emeritus instead. In Idaho, an Emeritus attorney is able to perform pro bono legal work for an approved nonprofit legal service organization, like IVLP or Idaho Legal Aid Services. To transfer to an Emeritus limited license, an attorney must complete an online application found on the Idaho State Bar website.[2] In the application, the attorney provides a sworn statement that they meet the requirements for eligibility, and they agree to not ask for or receive compensation for legal services performed under the Emeritus limited license. The attorney still must abide by the Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct and submit to the jurisdiction of the Idaho Supreme Court and the Idaho State Bar for disciplinary purposes.

            However, once an attorney is issued an Emeritus limited license, the licensing requirements are minimal. The license fee is $150 annually and the attorney only needs to complete three credit hours of continuing legal education each year. Those CLE credits are provided for free.

Heading into 2026

            The Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program has an exciting addition planned for 2026. A new Lawyer in the Library legal clinic will be held monthly at the Payette Public Library. Spearheaded by attorney Jessica Perez, this additional clinic will facilitate assisting those folks in the south-western part of the state.

Jennifer May Schindele is the Director of the Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program. After spending over 16 years practicing family law, Jennifer joined IVLP. Jennifer earned an English degree at the University of Idaho and completed law school at the University of Idaho College of Law. Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, playing soccer, and exploring Idaho’s outdoors.

[1] New ABA Report Examines pro Bono Service by U.S. Lawyers,https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2025/01/aba-report-examines-pro-bono-service/ (last visited Nov. 17, 2025).

[2] https://isb.idaho.gov/admissions/emeritus-limited-license/.