Pro Bono Resources

The Clearinghouse matches eligible clients facing trademark issues with member attorneys who volunteer to provide services free of charge. A global initiative, it is the only program of its kind dedicated primarily to trademarks.

The Clearinghouse serves low-income individuals, small- to medium-enterprises, not-for-profit, and nonprofit or charitable organizations with low operating budgets that might not otherwise have affordable access to legal assistance.

In turn, by helping those in need, our participating members have a unique opportunity to stretch their skills and fulfill a commitment to serve the public interest in their field of expertise.

We’re now accepting applications from anywhere it the world. Originally a pilot program serving the United States and then Latin America, we’ve expanded globally based on the program’s success and the need for this pro bono service.

For Potential Clients
To be eligible to participate in the program, you or your organization must have a valid trademark issue and you must have financial need, which must be shown by providing tax information or the past 12 months of bank statements (which is kept confidential). The specifics of financial need vary based on the business category, and by country.

To begin the process, please fill out the application below. If you have questions about financial eligibility before applying, contact us.

Access THE Application FORM

For Member Attorney Volunteers
We encourage attorneys who are members to join our pool of Pro Bono Clearinghouse volunteers.

How to Volunteer: Attorneys, you must: (i) be licensed (in good standing) to practice in your jurisdiction; (ii) carry malpractice insurance, and (iii) be a current member of INTA. To learn more, contact us.

View THE PRO BONO TOOLKIT

A Survey of Pro Bono Practices and Opportunities in 84 Jurisdictions
Prepared by Latham and Watkins for the Pro Bono Institute. Dated March 2016.

IBA Pro Bono Committee

Pro Bono Institute (PBI)

Lawyers Alliance of New York
Network dedicated to expanding the availability of pro bono business legal services for nonprofits

LawHelp.org
Referrals to local legal aid and public interest law offices

Joel Feldman
Greenberg Traurig | Atlanta, Georgia, USA

A self-proclaimed “logician with a law degree,” Joel Feldman (Greenberg Traurig, Atlanta, Georgia, USA) has been with the law firm. for more than 14 years. He serves as Vice Chair of the firm’s Global Trademark and Brand Management Group, and mentors many of the firm’s rising trademark law superstars.

Mr. Feldman continues to be active in professional trade organizations like INT  and is currently serving his first term on the Pro Bono Subcommittee of the newly established Brands for A Better Society Committee.

It’s only fitting that he sits on this Subcommittee. Paying it forward through pro bono legal work and community service are extremely important to him.

Mr. Feldman is a University of Florida alumni—a die-hard fan of the university’s Florida Gators football team. A fellow University of Florida alumni, 2010 Olympic Gold Medal bobsledder Steve Mesler reached out to Mr. Feldman shortly after the Olympic games to discuss branding for a new nonprofit endeavor to provide Olympic and Paralympic athlete mentors and content to underprivileged classrooms. Mr. Feldman jumped at the opportunity and has dedicated hundreds of hours to serving as the U.S. pro bono counsel for the project, called “Classroom Champions.”

Of  the volunteerism, Mr. Mesler remarked, “When I founded the organization in 2010, Joel jumped at the opportunity to help out, which at the time was surprising given that he was a 30-year-old attorney at one of the world’s biggest law firms trying to grow his practice, start a family, and build a business. But what I’ve come to know and admire about Joel is how incredibly giving he is of his time, network, and expertise.”

The Olympian noted that Mr. Feldman. found the time to make sure he was on every call, prioritized pro bono work with the organization’s trademarks, and helped grow different areas of the nonprofit.

“His want to give and help others is truly impressive, and something you don’t come across on a daily basis,” Mr. Mesler said.

In addition to his pro bono legal work, Mr. Feldman is also active in giving back to the community in other ways. He is on the American-Jewish Committee Atlanta Board of Councilors, a supporter of his synagogue, Ahavath Achim, and a facilitator for Leadership Buckhead and LEAD Atlanta.

Mr. Feldman has also been recognized for his professional success by the Fulton County Daily Report, the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Super Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America, and Lexology’s Client Choice. In fact, he is one of only 12 intellectual property attorneys in Georgia ever to receive the Client Choice award since its inception over a decade ago. In 2020 World Trademark Review recognized him as one of three “gold tier” trademark attorneys in Georgia.

When he has time off from his busy schedule, Mr. Feldman loves to spend time with his wife and two sons, including serving as the assistant coach of their Little League. His other hobbies include watching the Atlanta Braves baseball games, playing tennis, participating in escape rooms and karaoke, doing puzzles, reading fiction, collecting sports cards, and attending concerts.

When asked what he is most proud of about himself or his life, he cited the mentorship of his sons and younger colleagues at work, noting: “My mentors really shaped my personal and professional experiences, and I think it’s important to continue the cycle.”

Written by Susan (Weller Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., Washington D.C., USA)