Civil Legal Assistance
The Indiana Bar Foundation is a leader in improving access to the civil legal system for all Hoosiers. By supporting civil legal assistance and pro bono organizations, law students, attorneys, and self-represented litigants, the programs of the Indiana Bar Foundation advance our legal system and improve civil legal assistance for all Hoosiers.
For every $1 invested
in civil legal assistance,
$6.70 goes back into the community.
Indiana Legal Help
The legal system can be hard to navigate alone. Through the Indiana Legal Help website, individuals can access legal service providers in their area and forms and resources specific to their legal needs.
Scholarships
Through the support of our generous donors, the Indiana Bar Foundation offers several scholarships for current law students. Loan repayment assistance is also available for licensed attorneys working at civil legal assistance organizations.
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Helling Scholarship was created to provide scholarships to young attorneys in Indiana to give them the opportunity to participate in the Indiana State Bar Association’s annual meeting each year. Applications are due annually on or around June 1.
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Phelps & Fara Scholarship assists a law student enrolled at the IU McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis with an interest in family law. Applications are due annually on or around June 1.
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Hon. Cale J. Holder Scholarship was established in 1984 in memory of Judge Holder and is awarded annually based on dedication to the administration of law, financial need, desire to be a practicing trial lawyer, capacity for leadership, academic achievement, and military service record if any. Applications are due annually on or around June 1.
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Hon. Richard M. Givan Loan Repayment Assistance Fund was established in 2006 as a statewide loan assistance program for law school graduates employed in non-profit organizations serving the civil legal needs of low income individuals and families in Indiana. Applications are due annually on or around November 1.
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Hon. J. Terrence and Peggy Cody Loan Repayment Assistance Fund was established in 2019 to help enable graduating law students to pay for their law school loans and be employed at civil legal aid providers, county Department of Child Services offices and county Public Defender’s offices throughout the state of Indiana, with preference given to those employed or living in Floyd County, Indiana. Applications are due annually on or around November 1.
Civil Legal Aid Fund
The Civil Legal Aid Fund was established in 1997 to support Indiana organizations providing civil legal services to low income Hoosiers. In partnership with the Indiana Supreme Court, the Indiana Bar Foundation distributes $1.5M annually to qualifying organizations around the state.
Applications for the Civil Legal Aid Fund are due annually on May 1. Click here for more information about the fund.
IOLTA
Indiana Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) Program was created in 1997 to enable low-income Hoosiers to have better access to Indiana’s civil justice system through annual grants to civil legal assistance organizations promoting pro bono and access to justice work across the state. In partnership with the Indiana Supreme Court, the Indiana Bar Foundation distributes $1M annually in IOLTA grants. IOLTA grant applications are due annually on May 1.
Pro Bono Opportunity Guide
The Pro Bono Opportunity Guide is a statewide volunteer matching tool for legal professionals interested in volunteering and legal assistance providers who need volunteers.