A law firm based in Accra, A-List Attorneys Ghana PRUC, has launched a pro bono initiative aimed at providing free legal services to vulnerable persons, including low-income earners, individuals living below the poverty line, and persons with disabilities.
The initiative, which allows eligible applicants to access free legal assistance through the firm’s website, was officially launched in Accra as part of activities marking the firm’s second anniversary.
Speaking at the launch, the Managing Partner of A-List Attorneys Ghana, Mr. Jerry John Kofi Asiedu, said the initiative was driven by the firm’s commitment to social responsibility and access to justice.
“This is our way of giving back to society. We already take on pro bono clients, but we have decided to formalise it and expand our reach,” Mr. Asiedu stated.
He emphasised that legal services should be accessible to all, stressing that justice must not be reserved only for the rich and powerful.
“Although we are a fairly new firm, we have represented many clients on a pro bono basis and we intend to do more. Pro bono is an essential part of our DNA because of our humble beginnings and our understanding of the challenges people face in accessing legal representation,” he said.
Mr. Asiedu also urged fellow lawyers to take on more pro bono cases and support the work of the Legal Aid Commission, noting that access to justice is a shared responsibility.
“Such a duty is not only owed to people who have the means to procure legal services, but also to those who have genuine cases but cannot pay for the services of lawyers,” he said.
According to him, while the Legal Aid Commission has the mandate to provide legal assistance to the poor and vulnerable, its capacity is limited.
“The Legal Aid Commission cannot serve the millions of people seeking legal services but cannot pay. As lawyers, we have to regularly take on some of these cases and ensure that people do not miss out on effective legal representation because of their inability or difficulty to pay. Poverty should never be a barrier to justice,” he added.
Providing a brief history of the firm, Mr. Asiedu said A-List Attorneys Ghana was founded in 2023 with a strong belief in using the law as a tool to promote fairness and justice.
“Justice is at the heart of the law. We, therefore, established this firm to fight for anyone seeking justice, including the downtrodden. We believe that without fairness and justice, we are doomed as a society,” he said.
The firm’s pro bono initiative is expected to expand access to legal services and strengthen efforts to protect the rights of vulnerable persons across the country.