Pro Bono Program

OUR PRO BONO PROGRAM

Bell Nunnally has a robust Pro Bono program, which works in conjunction with our pro bono partners – Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (DVAP), Human Rights Initiative of North Texas (HRI), Texas Appleseed and Buried Alive. The firm’s Pro Bono Committee facilitates the program, encourages firm attorneys to provide legal services to those in need and assists with finding opportunities.

OUR PARTNERS

About the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (DVAP)

Bell Nunnally works with the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program to provide pro bono legal services to the poor in Dallas. DVAP is a joint program of the Dallas Bar Association and Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas and was created in 1997 when both organizations merged their previously separate pro bono programs to create one cohesive effort to address the legal needs of the poor in Dallas.

Through DVAP, the firm has provided services for the organization’s Dallas Veterans Clinic and acted as pro bono counsel on cases for indigent clients.

About Human Rights Initiative of North Texas (HRI)

Human Rights Initiative of North Texas (HRI) provides legal and support services to refugees and immigrants who have suffered human rights abuses. They also advocate for justice and promote international human rights for all.

HRI works with clients seeking humanitarian immigration relief in asylum, domestic violence (VAWA), victims of domestic crime (U-Visa) and unaccompanied children (SIJ). The agency works on a pro bono model, with the majority of cases assigned to pro bono attorneys. Each program has a mentor attorney to assist our pro bono attorneys. HRI also provides translators for the documents needed in these cases.

Through HRI, Bell Nunnally attorneys have represented individuals in the affirmative asylum process and in deportation trials.

About Texas Appleseed

Texas Appleseed is a public interest justice center that works to change unjust laws and policies that prevent Texans from realizing their full potential. They anchor a dynamic network of pro bono partners and collaborators to develop and advocate for innovative and practical solutions to complex issues. Texas Appleseed also conducts data-driven research that uncovers inequity in laws and policies and identifies solutions for lasting, concrete change.

In 2018, Bell Nunnally received Texas Appleseed’s “Pro Bono Leadership Award” in recognition of firm efforts on behalf of residents of Port Isabel, Texas who sued the city over alleged housing discrimination in the aftermath of Hurricane Dolly in 2008. Bell Nunnally was one of only two firms honored with this award as part of the organization’s “Good Apple Dinner.” To learn more, please click here.

The Buried Alive Project

The Buried Alive Project works to help advance the movement of transforming our nation’s criminal justice system through transformative litigation, legislation and humanization. The organization focuses on certain life without parole sentences handed down under federal drug laws. Bell Nunnally attorneys are partnering with the Buried Alive Project to assist in achieving these goals.