It’s National Pro Bono Month, which means it’s time to shine the annual spotlight on the importance of providing free legal services to those in need.

We at Exo Legal believe that providing pro bono legal services to those in need is the greatest way a lawyer can serve the community. We back that up in our own pro bono work: Our efforts have been recognized by the Tennessee Supreme Court, which has named David as an Attorney for Justice for eight straight years. David’s own pro bono work also is the origin for Exo Legal’s Lawyers Give Back Campaign, which over the past two years has donated at least one hour of billable work each month to a nonprofit helping people in our community or in our world.

To celebrate “Pro Bono Month,” this month’s billable hour goes to Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Disaster Relief Project, which is providing free legal services for those affected by Hurricane Helene. A storm can have physical and emotional consequences, but also legal ones, and Legal Aid societies across the region are helping survivors pick up the pieces by providing them with information about their rights, answering questions about insurance and claims, and advocating for them when they are applying for recovery fund assistance.

In fact, David’s first experience providing pro bono service was after the historic Nashville floods in 2010. After seeing the impact one or two hours can have on people at their times of greatest need, David became a regular legal clinic volunteer.

We couldn’t let Pro Bono Month pass without also saying this: If you’re a lawyer or paralegal, please volunteer at your local Legal Aid. If you’re unsure about when, where or how, reach out and we’ll help connect you to the right place. David might even offer to go with you. You’ll meet great people, do good work, and come away with a better understanding of the world. Happy National Pro Bono Month!