Volunteer Attorneys Honored for Pro Bono Family Law Services in Billings

Local bar association and legal services group recognize lawyers offering free legal aid.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:26pm

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph in soft, warm tones depicting the blurred silhouettes of people in a courtroom, conveying a sense of community and gratitude for the pro bono legal services provided.The selfless contributions of volunteer attorneys help ensure equal access to legal representation for low-income families in Billings.Billings Today

The Yellowstone Area Bar Association and Montana Legal Services Association held an event to honor several local attorneys who volunteer their time providing pro bono family law services to low-income individuals in the Billings area. The Family Law Project has been helping families in need who cannot afford legal representation for over a decade.

Why it matters

Access to legal representation is a critical issue, especially in family law matters that can have significant impacts on people's lives. The volunteer attorneys recognized are helping to fill this gap in the Billings community by offering their expertise and time at no cost to those who cannot afford a lawyer.

The details

At a special event on Friday, the bar association and legal services group presented awards to the volunteer attorneys to celebrate their contributions. Coordinator Ellie Tinsley noted that for every attorney in Montana, there are nearly 10,000 people in need of legal assistance, making the work of these pro bono lawyers even more impactful.

  • The event was held on Friday, April 10, 2026.
  • The Family Law Project has been operating in the Billings area for over a decade.

The players

Yellowstone Area Bar Association

A local bar association that organized the event to recognize pro bono legal services in the Billings community.

Montana Legal Services Association

A statewide organization that partnered with the local bar association to honor the volunteer attorneys offering free family law assistance.

Ellie Tinsley

The coordinator of the Family Law Project, which has been helping low-income families in the Billings area access legal representation for over a decade.

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What they’re saying

“We decided to drive out to Yellowstone County specifically because we have such a robust network of volunteers, so we wanted to not only thank them but come here in person and meet them. We do a lot of emailing.”

— Ellie Tinsley, Coordinator, Family Law Project

The takeaway

The recognition of these volunteer attorneys highlights the critical role pro bono legal services play in ensuring equal access to the justice system, especially for low-income families facing complex legal matters. The Billings community is fortunate to have such a dedicated network of lawyers committed to serving those in need.