Pro Bono Opportunities for Attorneys

Attorneys: If you are interested in volunteering or have questions about the opportunities below, please contact the organization. If you would like to be added to a list to be emailed not more than monthly about pro bono opportunities, including free legal clinics, please fill out this pro bono mailing list form.

Please contact the Pro Bono Director with any questions, or if you want assistance in developing a policy on pro bono for your law firm or company. Template pro bono policies for law firms may be found here and for companies may be found here.

Note that the Pro Bono Director does not place individuals with free attorneys.

(Updated: 12/22/2025)

ACLU of Alaska

The ACLU of Alaska defends the civil rights and liberties of all Alaskans through litigation, advocacy, and community engagement. We strive to create a more equitable state by partnering with a diverse network of Alaskans dedicated to preserving the rights guaranteed by the U.S. and Alaska Constitutions. Learn more about our work and get involved at our website here.

Alaska Federal Pro Bono Project

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Last updated (12/17/2025).
*dates are subject to change, please check the Court’s docket.

Case No. 3:24-cv-00038-SLG, Costigan v. Lawrence
Self-represented prisoner claims DOC staff were deliberately indifferent to his medical needs when they discontinued his prescription medications causing severe withdrawal symptoms, including seizures.
Case stayed until June 13, 2026.
Case No. 3:23-cv-00084-KFR, Talmadge v. Winkleman, et al.
Self-represented prisoner claims he has experienced long delays in scheduling optometry appointments resulting in vision impairment, deprivation of glasses needed for adequate vision to engage in normal activities of daily living, and injuries caused by falling or walking into objects.
Motions regarding discovery are due by February 13, 2026. Dispositive motions are due by April 14, 2026.
Case No. 3:23-cv-00221-SLG, Cunningham v. Winkleman, et al.
Self-represented prisoner claims DOC staff illegally strip-searched him and confiscated his property. He also claims Defendants retaliated against him and interfered with his right to access the courts.
Motions regarding discovery are due by January 12, 2026. Dispositive motions are due by March 16, 2026.

The Federal Pro Bono Project for the U.S. District Court of the District of Alaska helps connect self-represented, civil litigants with attorneys interested in volunteer opportunities. Appointments are primarily made in prisoner civil rights cases filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Cases qualify for assistance based on whether a litigant has demonstrated an inability to afford counsel; the likelihood of success on the merits; and the ability of the litigant to articulate claims for themselves in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved.

A volunteer pro bono attorney’s representation may be all-purpose or limited in scope. A Limited Entry of Appearance may be made for a discrete purpose such as amendment of a pleading, participating at a settlement conference, filing or opposing a dispositive motion, attending a hearing(s), attending a deposition(s), conducting or responding to discovery, or attending trial. Alternatively, it may be made for a specified period of time. A Limited Entry of Appearance shall specify each purpose of the appearance. Upon conclusion of a Limited Entry of Appearance, the volunteer attorney may withdraw by filing and serving a Notice of Withdrawal. Such notice must provide the party’s last known address and telephone number. See District of Alaska Local Civil Rule 83.1(c).

Attorneys interested in a volunteering for a court appointment opportunity may contact the Pro Bono Program for the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska at (907) 677-6214 or rebecca_cervenak@akd.uscourts.gov.

Alaska Free Legal Answers (virtual legal clinic)

Alaska Free Legal Answers is a virtual legal advice clinic in which qualifying low-income users post civil legal questions at no cost to be answered by pro bono attorneys licensed in Alaska. Volunteer attorneys will be emailed when a question is posted in a subject area to which they subscribe. Attorneys may then choose whether to answer the question. Questions generally take about 20 minutes to answer, and may include links to court forms or self-help resources. Question topics include:

Benefits
Civil/Constitutional Rights
Consumer
Debts & Purchases
Emancipation and Delinquency
Expungement
Family/Divorce/Custody
Health Care
Housing or Property Owned
Insurance
Medicaid/Medicare/Affordable Care Act
Natural Disaster
Personal Injury
School Discipline
Special Education

Free Legal Clinics

Updated 12/17/2025

We currently need attorneys to provide this same assistance during the MLK Day Free Legal Clinics on Monday, January 19, 2026 in Bethel, Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau. To volunteer at the Anchorage or Bethel MLK Day clinics, complete this form. Contact info@alaskabar.org if you are interested in volunteering for the Juneau or Fairbanks clinics. Click here for exact times and locations of the MLK Day Clinics.

Each year, the Alaska Bar Association sponsors free legal clinics, where we need attorneys in a variety of practice areas and other legal professionals to volunteer for two to four hour shifts. If you would like to be added to a mailing list about these opportunities, click here. Contact the Pro Bono Director at info@alaskabar.org with any questions or if you are interested in organizing a new clinic.

Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC)

1016 West Sixth Avenue, Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99501
https://www.alsc-law.org/
Tel: 888-478-2572

Updated 12/17/2025

Alaska Legal Services Corporation has an urgent need for volunteer attorneys.

Alaska Legal Services Corporation seeks volunteer attorneys to provide one hour advice and counsel sessions over the phone to clients in the following practice areas:

Family Law
Probate

The pro bono attorney may schedule the phone appointments with the client to best suit their schedules.

Landlord and Tenant Helpline
Volunteers are needed to join ALSC’s Landlord and Tenant Helpline team to cover shifts Monday-Thursday from 6-8pm. One evening a month, calls are forwarded directly to your phone – allowing you to conveniently volunteer from anywhere. Volunteers answer questions from tenants and landlords about their legal rights and responsibilities. Calls last an average of 20 minutes. Training and support are available to all volunteers.

Full Representation Cases

We have a variety of full representation cases available in areas including probate, adoption, divorce/custody/child support, employment discrimination, wage and hour, and debt collection cases.

About Alaska Legal Services Corporation

Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) is the statewide provider of free, comprehensive civil legal aid. Established in 1967, ALSC serves over 200 communities through 11 offices around the state. ALSC’s work impacts children and families, veterans, elders, those with a disability, domestic violence survivors, and more.

ALSC’s pro bono program is a strong network of volunteer attorneys, community justice workers, and other legal professionals. Additional volunteers are needed to meet the needs of low-income Alaskans and their communities – volunteer through direct client representation, one-time advice and counsel appointments, participation in legal clinics, or by serving as a mentor or resource for other volunteers or ALSC staff.

Your participation in ALSC’s pro bono program includes malpractice insurance, co-counsel and/or mentoring opportunities, sample briefs and reasonable reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses.

Alaskans across the state who meet ALSC’s income guidelines are depending on your service to access justice, meet their basic needs, preserve their families, and thrive in their communities. All volunteers must register at www.alsc-law.org/become-a-pro-bono-volunteer. Learn more about ALSC, sign up to become a volunteer, or find all our volunteer opportunities at our website: www.alsc-law.org.

Alaska Network on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (ANDVSA)

(Updated 12/15/2025)

The Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (ANDVSA) provides legal help to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Serving on a statewide basis, ANDVSA’s pro bono volunteers are put to work taking full cases, serving as mentors, doing legal research and answering the Information and Referral Hotline.

ANDVSA is renowned for its critical on-call mentoring assistance, extensive written resources (including an Alaska-specific Volunteer Family Law Manual, American Bar Association Family Law practice manuals, and sample pleadings), and live and prerecorded training opportunities. Additional benefits to volunteers include malpractice insurance, case cost coverage, and the assistance of paralegals and shelter advocates. For more information about ANDVSA or for questions and/or interest in the cases below, please contact Katy Soden at (907) 297-2791, email ksoden@andvsa.org, or fill out ANDVSA’s volunteer attorney application form.

ANDVSA has a grant that allows us to offer low bono contracts for domestic violence and sexual assault-related family law cases! Please note that these funds are limited and any of these cases may instead be taken pro bono. For more information, please contact Katy Soden at ksoden@andvsa.org.

LOW BONO OPPORTUNITIES

“Seeking help for special needs kids.” Anchorage custody. Informal trial 1/15/26. Client seeks help with custody case. 4 kids, including special needs. DV includes criminal mischief, emotional and financial abuse; client has long-term domestic violence protective order in place. OP has counsel. ANDVSA can offer $130/hour up to 50 hours for this case.

“Controlling her access to the kids.” Palmer custody modification. Motion not yet filed. Client seeks help with custody modification. 3 kids. DV includes sexual coercion related to client’s ability to access the children. OP has counsel. ANDVSA can offer $130/hour up to 50 hours for this case.

“Nonconsensual contact.” Palmer custody. Case recently filed; client about to file answer. Client seeks help with custody case. 2 young kids. DV includes coercion, assault, sexual assault. OP has counsel. ANDVSA can offer $130/hour up to 50 hours for this case.

“Done with years of abuse.” Craig custody/protective order. Case not yet filed. Client seeks help with custody/protective order. 3 kids. OP has pending criminal charge for DV and has prior conviction for DV to client. ANDVSA can offer a flat fee contract for this case calculated at $175/hour.

PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES

“Stranded with an infant.” Anchorage divorce/custody. Evidentiary hearing 1/12/26. Client seeks help with divorce and custody. 1 child. DV includes strangulation, assault. Client has long-term DVPO in place. Short term marriage; no property to divide. Client is Limited English Proficient and ANDVSA will provide access to on-demand language interpreter services.

“Simple divorce – great beginner case.” Anchorage divorce. Case not yet filed. Client seeks help with divorce. Severe DV; opposing party spent several years incarcerated for the abuse. Client has a current long-term DVPO in place. Limited property to divide – vehicle, debts.

“Senior seeks safety.” Kenai divorce. Case not yet filed. Client seeks help with divorce. DV includes assault. Client has a current long-term DVPO in place. Extensive property to divide including houses, land, boats, vehicles.

“Corporate counsel opportunity.” Domestic violence shelter in Western Alaska needs help updating bylaws. Great opportunity for the non-litigator volunteer!

Any questions and/or interest in the above cases, please contact Katy Soden @ 907-297-2791 or ksoden@andvsa.org.