Bloomberg Law is helping lawyers provide legal services to the poor by offering free access to its legal research service to legal services and pro bono attorneys.

Last week, Bloomberg Law said that it is providing free access to all grantees of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). LSC grantees provide civil legal assistance in every U.S. state, territory, and the District of Columbia.

Today, Bloomberg Law and the pro bono technology company Paladin announced a partnership to provide 90 days’ complimentary access to its research platform to lawyers who take pro bono cases. This offer applies to any pro bono lawyer, not just Paladin users.

Paladin cofounder and chief operating officer Kristen Sonday told me that this partnership is a step towards Paladin’s quest to equip pro bono lawyers with a wider array of tools to more efficiently help their clients.

“Between COVID and racial justice-related events in particular, we’ve seen a big surge in pro bono work and are thrilled to be able to provide access to high quality resources,” Sonday said.

Bloomberg Law provides full coverage of federal and state legislation, regulations, and key agency guidance, including legal issues related to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting economic downturn.

It also includes resources such as Practical Guidance, trackers, and chart builders, including in practice areas related to pandemic-related legal needs, such as labor and employment, health care, tax, and bankruptcy.

Pro bono lawyers can sign up for the Bloomberg Law/Paladin offer here: https://pro.bloomberglaw.com/paladin-access/.  The LSC announcement does not say how to sign up, but I assume it is through the grantee organizations.

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.