Pro Bono Opportunities

DISCLAIMER: This list of non-profit organizations is provided for informational purposes as a resource to the online community, and no representations are made about the accuracy or suitability of this information and the services offered by these organizations for any purpose. Please note that the information is not intended to be an exhaustive list of pro bono opportunities in California.  Additional information about pro bono opportunities can be found by contacting or by searching the website of each organization. SBWL/F does not endorse, approve, or certify the organizations listed herein or the products/services they provide. SBWL/F has no control over the quality, safety, or legality of the services provided by these organizations and accepts no liability as to the same whatsoever. SBWL/F disclaims all liability and warranties for the same. No information on this site is intended to be legal advice.

Residents of Santa Barbara County have access to local self-service legal resources center in addition to what information is provided in this web site.

The Legal Resource Center of Santa Barbara County is staffed by a California licensed attorney, and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

Assistance is offered in the completion of legal and court documents for various civil matters and infractions, and in properly presenting your case to the court.

Contact: Lynn Goebel – lgoebel@lafsbc.org 

The Pro Bono Program gives attorneys interested in disability civil rights law, special education law and other related opportunities a chance to hone their advocacy skills and to make a difference in the community.

  • Disability Litigation Program. Transform communities by removing barriers that deny equal access to people with disabilities. DRLC needs attorneys to co-counsel and to take referrals of large and small disability civil rights cases.
  • Education Advocacy Program (EAP). Help a student in need of special education achieve tremendous results. DRLC needs volunteer attorneys to participate in negotiating individualized Education Plans with school districts to ensure low-income and minority children receive the special education services they need.  DRLC provides free MCLE training and ongoing support to EAP volunteers.

Areas of Law: Disability civil rights law, special education law and other related opportunities

  Chris Knauf
(213) 736-1031
https://thedrlc.org/externships-internships-pro-bono/

Provides free legal advice in Santa Barbara County to adults and children in detention centers and removal proceedings and community education to help immigrants understand their basic civil rights.

Areas of Law: Immigration, Family

  Mary Anne Weis and Julissa Pena
601 E. Montecito St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 886-9136
https://www.sbimmigrantdefense.org/

Legal Aid provides free legal assistance to eligible low-income families and individuals, people with disabilities, seniors and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, trafficking or other abuse and residing in Santa Barbara County.

Areas of Law: Unlawful Detainer (Eviction) (Proof of income required); Advice and negotiation for tenants impacted by COVID-19 (Proof of income required); Fair Housing/Housing Discrimination (Proof of income required); Domestic Violence Restraining Orders & Related Services (no income guideline); Elder Abuse Restraining Orders & Related Services (no income guideline); Immigration Assistance for Victims of Crimes (U-Visa, T-VISA, VAWA self-petition, SIJs); Guardianship & Conservatorship (of the person only) (Only in Lompoc/ Santa Maria locations) (Proof of income required); Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention for Homeowners; Consumer Protection

Santa Barbara
301 E Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 963-6754

Santa Maria
201 S. Miller Street, Ste. 209, Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 922-9909

Lompoc
604 E. Ocean Ave, Ste. B. Lompoc, CA 93436
(805) 736-6582

https://www.lafsbc.org/

Assist tenants to apply for rental assistance which is a federal grant so that they never have to pay it back and their past due rent will not become a consumer debt that their landlord could later sue them for.

Areas of Law: Landlord Tenant

https://housing.ca.gov/

Standing Together to End Sexual Assault (STESA) – Formerly the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center, empowers people through healing and social change to eliminate all forms of sexual violence. We are committed to transforming lives by providing services and education to meet the needs of our diverse community.

Areas of Law: Contracts, employment, victim rights, civil

Elsa Granados, Executive Director
433 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 708-4997
https://sbstesa.org/