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 with a full-time staff of five. The Program has over 650 lawyers who volunteer their expertise and time to work with low-income clients in certain types of civil 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 appointed by the MBA President and three community stakeholders 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.