Mission & Vision

VLP was created by Nebraska lawyers with a common passion―an unwavering commitment to pursue equal justice under the law for Nebraskans who, because of social and economic barriers, cannot access the courts and our system of justice. For more than 35 years, VLP has helped Nebraska lawyers fulfill their professional responsibility to render pro bono legal services.

VLP develops and manages pro bono and reduced fee programs that are convenient, rewarding and impactful. Although programs have adapted and changed over the years, VLP’s mission remains unchanged.

Mission

To improve access to justice through the delivery of quality pro bono and reduced fee legal services.

Vision

Equal access to justice for all low-income Nebraskans.

Mission, Core Values

VLP demonstrates its Mission and Core Values by developing and managing pro bono programs that are convenient, rewarding, and impactful for Nebraska lawyers.

Help Desks, located in county courthouses in Buffalo, Douglas, Hall, Kimball, Madison, and Scotts Bluff counties.

Extended Representation in select civil law cases, including full and limited scope representation.

Legal Clinics provide opportunities for all lawyers to participate in pro bono work.

Pro Bono Online through NE Free Legal Answers allows all lawyers to do pro bono work anytime, anywhere.

Vision

VLP demonstrates its Vision through strategic planning, collaboration, and continual assessment of its pro bono programs in effort to narrow the widening justice gap.

Nebraskans with limited means will have equal access to the courts and our system of justice.

Self-represented persons who need full or limited scope services will have access to pro bono programs and volunteers.

Barriers to representation will no longer be based on an individual’s ability to pay for adequate counsel.

All lawyers will provide at least 50 pro bono legal service hours each year and firms will encourage lawyers to do pro bono work

Donate to VLP
Pro Bono and Reduced Fee Cases
Pro Bono OnlineNE Free Legal Answers
Self Help CentersCounty Courthouses
Advice Clinics
Other Help

Core Values

ustice for some, is not justice for all. All Nebraskans, regardless of ability to pay, should have access to our system of justice.

nderstanding the lawyer’s relationship to the legal system is critical to a constitutional democracy. Lawyers must be mindful of deficiencies in the administration of justice and of the fact that the poor, and sometimes persons who are not poor, cannot afford adequate legal assistance.

elf-representation for low-income persons should be by choice, not by default.

reat all persons served through VLP programs with the same dignity and respect afforded fee generating clients.

nvolvement in the problems of the disadvantaged can be one of the most rewarding experiences.

ollaboration among legal service providers, law firms, and law schools to increase pro bono service is a priority.

very lawyer should aspire to provide 50 hours of pro bono legal services each year. Law firms should enable and encourage all lawyers in the firm to provide pro bono legal services.