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The Mobile Bar Association (MBA) was founded
in 1869 and has provided public service to the community on a
continuing basis since that time. In 1985, the MBA organized the
Pro Bono Program to provide free legal representation to low-income
clients in Mobile County. In 2000, the Program’s name was changed
to the Mobile Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP) to be
more easily understood by the general public.
During the first two years of its existence,
the Program was operated through the office of the MBA Executive
Secretary. A separate Pro Bono Office was established
in 1989 with a part-time director. Today the VLP is
a 501(c) (3) nonprofit program and a partner agency of the
United Way of Southwest Alabama. It has a full-time
executive director, an administrative assistant, and an
intake specialist. The Program has over 600 lawyers
who volunteer their expertise and time to work with low-income
clients in certain types of cases.
The VLP has a very active Board of Directors,
which meets monthly. The President of the Board is an ex-officio
member of the MBA Executive Board, which oversees the VLP.
Twenty-seven lawyers in the Mobile area, appointed by the MBA
President, serve on the VLP Board.
The MBA Volunteer Lawyers Program
is a leader in Alabama and nationally in pro bono work. Through the
leadership of the Mobile Bar Association, the spirit of volunteer
work is readily embraced and thriving in Mobile County. |
