Whether you’re a newer attorney or a more seasoned one, you have likely heard of or even volunteered with Metro Volunteer Lawyers (“MVL”) at some point in your legal career. However, few know MVL’s history and how the program has evolved and expanded.

MVL was founded in 1966 and originally operated as the Thursday Night Bar. This name stemmed from the founding attorneys’ Thursday night meetings with indigent clients. In response to a growing need for services, MVL has greatly expanded over time, and in conjunction with local bars as well as the Denver Bar Foundation, now operates seven different programs to serve the indigent community with the following types of cases: Family Law, Elder Law, Probate, Consumer and Financial, Bankruptcy, Public Benefits, and Housing.

MVL’s present-day mission is “to bridge the gap in access to justice by coordinating the provision of pro bono legal services by volunteer lawyers within the Denver Metro Area to people who could not otherwise afford legal services for their civil legal issues.”

Today, MVL serves those in the Denver Metro Area by providing services to applicants who live in or have cases within the following counties: Adams, Broomfield, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Jefferson, and Gilpin. Applicants must live at or below 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. To put that figure into perspective, 22.4% of the Colorado population lives below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This reality is reflected in the pro se rates Colorado courts see throughout the state. For example, 75% of filing parties and 74% of responding parties in domestic relations matters are unrepresented. In cases involving parties responding to a county court civil matter, this figure increases to 96%. Unrepresented parties often feel overwhelmed, scared, and anxious by the legal process, unsure how to proceed or effectively represent their best interests. MVL aims to ensure that those who cannot afford traditional legal services are provided with pro bono legal services through advice and guidance, mediation, or full representation. Currently, MVL can accept an average of 1,528 cases per year across its seven programs, which MVL hopes to increase year-over-year.

What the future of MVL holds depends largely on individuals like yourself! MVL could not exist without the dedication and time commitment of attorneys in the metro area who are willing to donate even an hour to provide legal assistance and advice to those in need. Attorneys of all backgrounds, practice areas, and experience levels can volunteer with MVL and are encouraged to do so, as all of MVL’s programs have both Mentee and Mentor opportunities available.

In 2025, MVL hopes to successfully conduct 244+ clinics, spanning 250 working days, spread across each of its seven programs. If you are interested in volunteering, finding or becoming a mentor, donating, or learning more about MVL, do not hesitate to contact an MVL staff member or visit MVL’s website.

About the Author

Heather M. Landauer is a Partner at GEM Family Law, where she focuses her practice on domestic relations cases. Heather also serves as an at-large board member for Metro Volunteer Lawyers.