The Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc. (VLP) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals and small not-for-profit groups in Western New York. Founded in 1983 as a collaborative effort between the Erie County Bar Association and Neighborhood Legal Services, VLP became an independent nonprofit in 1988. The organization’s mission is twofold: to deliver high-quality, free civil legal aid to underserved populations and to actively involve volunteer attorneys in the provision of these services. VLP recruits, trains, and supports attorneys who offer pro bono legal representation, handling around 4,000 cases each year and assisting over 8,000 clients through both direct service and referrals. These efforts save taxpayers an estimated $3 million annually by preventing homelessness, reducing public assistance reliance, and helping clients obtain benefits such as unemployment insurance and child support. VLP works in partnership with local legal service providers, including the Western New York Law Center and the Eighth Judicial District Pro Bono Committee. Over the past 30+ years, more than 2,500 local attorneys have volunteered through VLP, helping over 100,000 clients and contributing significantly to improving access to justice in the region.