Bismarck, ND — Legal Services of North Dakota (LSND) has secured $450,000 in joint funding to launch a comprehensive, statewide transformation of pro bono legal services. The two-year initiative will be supported by a $350,000 investment from the IOLTA Commission and $100,000 from the State Bar Association of North Dakota (SBAND).
This funding represents a significant milestone in North Dakota’s efforts to expand access to civil legal services through a coordinated, sustainable pro bono infrastructure. Rather than supporting a single program or short-term solution, the investment will allow LSND, in close partnership with SBAND and the courts, to design and implement a modern pro bono system that is integrated with existing legal aid services and responsive to the realities of both clients and volunteer attorneys.
“This is a strategic investment in leadership, systems, and long-term capacity,” said Jen Lee, Executive Director of Legal Services of North Dakota. “North Dakota has the will, the legal talent, and the partnerships to strengthen pro bono service statewide. This funding allows us to build the structure needed to make that work effective, efficient, and sustainable.”
The project will officially begin in January 2026 and run through December 2027. During that time, LSND will lead a phased implementation process that includes completing statewide pro bono system design, launching pilot service models, and expanding coordinated volunteer engagement across the state.
A central component of the initiative is the creation of a new executive-level position at LSND for a Director of Pro Bono and Bar Engagement. This role will be responsible for designing and managing the statewide pro bono program, strengthening partnerships with the private bar, and integrating pro bono services into LSND’s intake, case management, and service delivery systems.
“The Director of Pro Bono and Bar Engagement will play a pivotal leadership role, not just within LSND, but across North Dakota’s legal community,” Lee said. “We are looking for a leader who is energized by systems-building, collaboration, and public service, and who wants to shape the future of access to justice in this state.”
The funding builds on extensive planning and assessment work already completed by LSND, SBAND, the North Dakota Bar Foundation, and key stakeholders throughout North Dakota. In 2024 and 2025, LSND convened a statewide Pro Bono Summit, conducted a comprehensive pro bono assessment, and gathered input from attorneys, courts, and community partners to identify both barriers to participation and opportunities for growth.
The resulting initiative reflects a shared commitment to improving how pro bono services are delivered, supported, and sustained. It emphasizes volunteer support, streamlined processes, clear points of entry for clients, and service models that align with attorneys’ time, expertise, and professional goals.
“This collaboration demonstrates what is possible when the legal community comes together around a shared responsibility to serve,” said Tony Weiler, Executive Director of the State Bar Association of North Dakota. “By investing in infrastructure and leadership, we are strengthening pro bono service not only for today, but for the future.”
More information about the initiative will be released in the coming month. The Director of Pro Bono and Bar Engagement position is posted and applications are being accepted.
About Legal Services of North Dakota
Legal Services of North Dakota is a nonprofit law firm providing free civil legal assistance to low-income North Dakotans, seniors, Veterans, and vulnerable populations. LSND works to ensure equal access to justice through direct representation, advice, education, and systemic solutions.
Media Contact:
Jen Lee
Executive Director
Legal Services of North Dakota
jlee@lsnd.org
701-222-2110
Who Do I Contact With Additional Questions?
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