Is an electronic signature valid?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are met.

Do I need a notary for this form?

Not usually. Most pro bono engagement forms do not require notarization, but specific circumstances or state rules may require a notary or witnesses for particular documents.

How should I store signed forms?

Store executed forms with an audit trail in a secure case management system, retain as PDF/A for archival, and follow federal or industry retention rules applicable to the file.

What authentication level is recommended?

For client-facing pro bono intake, email link or SMS verification is commonly used; stronger authentication is recommended if the form contains sensitive health or financial data.

Can a client withdraw consent to electronic records?

Yes. For consumer-facing matters ESIGN requires a disclosure and a method to withdraw consent; document the client's choice and provide a paper alternative if requested.

What should I do if the signer name differs from ID?

Clarify and correct the record before finalizing. Mismatched names can create verification issues; obtain corroborating ID or an authorized representative's documentation.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Legal
Pro Bono Legal Form

Pro Bono Legal Form

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT

This Pro Bono Legal Services Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of this day: / / by and between Pro Bono Counsel: with principal address: , and Client Name: with address: .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Pro Bono Counsel is a duly licensed attorney or law firm willing to provide legal services on a pro bono basis in matters meeting its internal eligibility criteria; and

WHEREAS, Client represents that Client lacks the financial resources to retain private counsel and desires to engage Pro Bono Counsel to provide legal services on a no-fee basis as set forth below; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth the scope, limitations and mutual obligations regarding Pro Bono Counsel's representation of Client.

NOW, THEREFORE

In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

1. SCOPE OF REPRESENTATION

1.1 Engagement. Client retains Pro Bono Counsel to provide legal services in the matter described as: (the "Matter"). The services to be provided are strictly limited to the scope set forth in Section 1.2.

1.2 Scope of Services (describe specific tasks or select limited scope)

1.3 Limited Scope. Pro Bono Counsel's representation is limited to the tasks expressly identified above. Any tasks not expressly identified are excluded. Client acknowledges that limited-scope representation may affect Client's rights and that Client may obtain separate counsel for matters outside the scope.

2. PRO BONO NATURE; COSTS AND EXPENSES

2.1 No Attorney Fees. Pro Bono Counsel agrees to provide the services described herein without charging legal fees to Client. Client acknowledges that this Agreement does not establish an obligation by Pro Bono Counsel to charge fees.

2.2 Costs and Expenses. Client shall be responsible for reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in the course of representation (e.g., filing fees, service fees, courier charges) unless otherwise agreed in writing. Estimated cost cap (if any): $ . Client authorizes Pro Bono Counsel to advance necessary costs subject to Client's agreement to reimburse as set forth herein.

3. CONFLICTS; WITHDRAWAL

3.1 Conflicts. Prior to beginning substantive work, Pro Bono Counsel will conduct a conflicts check. If a conflict is identified that materially limits or prevents representation, Pro Bono Counsel may decline or withdraw from the Matter. Client agrees to cooperate fully with reasonable requests to facilitate conflict clearance.

3.2 Conflict Disclosures

4. CLIENT COOPERATION AND REPRESENTATIONS

4.1 Cooperation. Client shall provide accurate information, execute documents reasonably requested, attend meetings and hearings, and cooperate fully with Pro Bono Counsel. Failure to cooperate may be grounds for withdrawal.

Primary Client Contact Contact Phone Contact Email

5. CONFIDENTIALITY; PRIVILEGE

5.1 Privilege. Communications between Client and Pro Bono Counsel are subject to the attorney-client privilege and confidentiality rules, except as expressly waived by Client or as required by law. Client consents to the sharing of necessary information among Pro Bono Counsel personnel and supervised volunteers for purposes of the Matter.

6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

6.1 Limitation of Liability. Except for wilful misconduct or gross negligence proven by clear and convincing evidence, Pro Bono Counsel shall not be liable to Client for consequential, incidental, special, or punitive damages arising from the representation. This limitation applies to all causes of action.

6.2 Indemnification. To the extent permitted by law, Client agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Pro Bono Counsel from liabilities arising from Client's intentional misconduct, fraudulent statements, or breach of this Agreement.

7. TERMINATION

7.1 Termination by Either Party. Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time upon written notice to the other. Upon termination, Client remains responsible for reimbursing any advanced costs as provided in Section 2.

Notice Period for Termination (days)

8. DOCUMENTS AND FILES

8.1 Return or Retention of Files. Upon termination or conclusion of the Matter, Pro Bono Counsel may retain the case file in accordance with professional obligations. Client may request copies of file materials reasonably necessary for continued representation.

File Retention Period (months)

9. NOTICES

All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses set forth below (or such other address as a party may designate by written notice in accordance with this section):

Notices to Pro Bono Counsel Notices to Client

10. AMENDMENTS; WAIVER; COUNTERPARTS

10.1 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument signed by both parties. 10.2 Waiver. No waiver of any breach shall operate as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach. 10.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

11. GOVERNING LAW; ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SEVERABILITY

11.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state or jurisdiction where Pro Bono Counsel principally practices, without regard to conflict of laws principles.

11.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior negotiations and understandings, whether written or oral.

11.3 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect, and the invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by a valid provision that most closely reflects the parties' original intent.

ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS

Client represents that the information provided for purposes of conflict checks is complete and accurate to the best of Client's knowledge and that no facts have been knowingly withheld that would materially affect Pro Bono Counsel's ability to represent Client.

Client Entity Type (check all that apply)

Individual Corporation Nonprofit Other:

EXECUTION

The parties, intending to be legally bound, have executed this Agreement as of the dates set forth below.

Pro Bono Counsel:

By:

Date:

Client:

By:

Date:

What the Pro Bono Legal Form Is and when it applies

A Pro Bono Legal Form documents the scope, terms, and client eligibility for free or reduced-fee legal services provided by an attorney, clinic, or legal aid organization. It typically records client identity, the legal matter, scope of representation, confidentiality and data-handling terms, fee waiver or reduced-fee arrangements, and any limitations or referral instructions. The form can function as an engagement letter, client intake, or limited-scope representation agreement and is used to set expectations and preserve a clear record of the attorney-client relationship.

Why a clear Pro Bono Legal Form matters

A written pro bono agreement protects both the client and provider by defining scope, duties, confidentiality, and any fee arrangements. It reduces conflicts over services, clarifies recordkeeping and privacy obligations, and documents client consent for electronic delivery or signatures under ESIGN and applicable state law.

Who typically completes or receives this form

Use consistent intake processes and standardized forms to ensure eligibility checks, conflict checks, and client consent are documented uniformly.

Legal aid organizations and clinics completing client intake and eligibility screening for free services.
Volunteer or panel attorneys documenting limited-scope representation and consent for service terms.
Court pro se clinics and law school clinics onboarding clients and recording scope and confidentiality.

Who can sign on behalf of parties

Client — Individual

An adult client with capacity signs to accept representation and fee terms; if the client lacks capacity, a court-appointed guardian or legally authorized representative must sign. Include printed name, relationship, and contact details to validate authority.

Organization / Guardian

For organizational clients or minors, an authorized officer, guardian, or parent signs. Provide title or proof of authority, and attach documentation where needed to show signing authority and avoid later disputes about scope.

Essential data elements to capture

Client name: Full legal name

Contact details: Phone, email, address

Matter description: Short case summary

Scope: Limited or full

Consent: E-sign consent

Signatures: Signer name/date

Step-by-step: completing the Pro Bono Legal Form

Follow these sequential steps to capture eligibility, define scope, and record client consent cleanly and consistently.

01

Intake: Confirm client identity and eligibility.
02

Scope: Define exactly what services will be provided.
03

Conflicts: Run a conflict check before engagement.
04

Signatures: Obtain signed consent and record dates.

Configuring an online pro bono form workflow

Set up fields, authentication, and routing to match your intake and compliance needs before sending for signature.

Field	Configuration
Client Identity Field	Required, read-only after signing
Eligibility Checklist	Conditional display based on responses
Signature Field	Optional SMS code authentication
Document Routing	Send to attorney then intake archive

Digital signing and secure handling requirements

Ensure the platform you use supports HIPAA where client health data appears, provides reliable audit logs, and can export an evidentiary certificate for signed records.

File formats: PDF, DOCX supported
Integrations: Works with Google Workspace
Security: TLS in transit

Where to send or file the completed form

Route the completed form to the right internal and external recipients and retain a signed copy in your case management system.

Primary Recipient: Assigned pro bono attorney
Intake File: Case management archive
Client Copy: Email or portal delivery
Legal Hold: Apply if litigation expected

Typical timelines and critical dates to record

Document and track dates that affect representation, statutory deadlines, and retention obligations to maintain compliance.

Engagement Effective Date:

Start of representation; set expectations

Scope Review Date:

Periodic review for limited scope matters

Document Retention Start:

Date for retention period calculations

Client Follow-up:

Scheduled contact or status update

Termination Date:

When services end and transition plan begins

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

Using vague scope language that fails to limit services and creates expectations outside the intended engagement.
Not performing a conflict-of-interest check before the client signs, which can nullify the accepted representation.
Failing to capture client consent to receive electronic records when required for consumer-facing matters under ESIGN.
Omitting clear signature dates or authentication method, weakening later proof of execution.

Risks and legal consequences of errors

Invalid Agreement: Unsigned or improperly executed

Privacy Breach: HIPAA exposure risk

Conflict Liability: Ethics complaint risk

Fee Disputes: Undocumented terms

Missing Records: Retention noncompliance

Court Rejection: Improper formality

How the Pro Bono Legal Form differs from other agreement types

A concise comparison highlights eligibility checks, fee terms, and revocation differences versus standard retainers or limited-scope agreements.

Criteria	Pro Bono Form	Standard Retainer
Fee Agreement	no or reduced fees	paid fees
Means Test	often required	not required
Notarization	rarely required	occasionally required
Revocation	easier withdrawal	contractual rules

Supporting documents and file handling options

Attach standard supporting materials and use stable file formats to maintain evidentiary value and long-term accessibility.

Supporting Documents

Attach identity proof, eligibility documents, intake questionnaires, and any client-supplied evidence as PDF exhibits to the main form for a complete record.

Export Formats

Save executed forms as PDF/A for long-term archival and also keep a DOCX editable copy for internal updates and redaction workflows.

Version Control

Record modification history and retain prior signed versions. Label files with client ID and date to prevent confusion in case files.

Audit Trail

Maintain an audit log with signer IP, timestamps, and authentication method to support the integrity of electronic signatures.

Real-world examples of how the form is used

Two representative scenarios show how the form documents scope and consent for limited public-interest legal help.

Community Clinic Intake

A client requests help with an eviction notice and completes intake

Clinic screens for eligibility and documents income
The limited-scope agreement records representation for eviction defense only and outlines referral for other matters.

Volunteer Attorney Panel

A pro bono attorney agrees to draft an uncontested probate filing

Panel coordinator assigns the matter and captures the scope
The form logs the attorney, hours cap, client consent, and file retention instructions.

eSignature platform pricing and capability overview relevant to pro bono workflows

Compare starting prices, trial availability, bulk send, audit trail, HIPAA compliance, and envelope cap to choose a solution that meets clinic needs.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

Frequently asked questions about using the Pro Bono Legal Form

Answers to common questions about validity, electronic signing, notarization, and recordkeeping when using a pro bono engagement form.

Need help? Contact support

Is an electronic signature valid?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are met.
Do I need a notary for this form?
Not usually. Most pro bono engagement forms do not require notarization, but specific circumstances or state rules may require a notary or witnesses for particular documents.
How should I store signed forms?
Store executed forms with an audit trail in a secure case management system, retain as PDF/A for archival, and follow federal or industry retention rules applicable to the file.
What authentication level is recommended?
For client-facing pro bono intake, email link or SMS verification is commonly used; stronger authentication is recommended if the form contains sensitive health or financial data.
Can a client withdraw consent to electronic records?
Yes. For consumer-facing matters ESIGN requires a disclosure and a method to withdraw consent; document the client's choice and provide a paper alternative if requested.
What should I do if the signer name differs from ID?
Clarify and correct the record before finalizing. Mismatched names can create verification issues; obtain corroborating ID or an authorized representative's documentation.

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