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Pro Bono Lead Match Email Notifications

Brandon Austin avatar
Written by Brandon Austin
Updated yesterday

Pro Bono Lead Match Email Notifications

Quick Answer

When a pro bono opportunity matches your listing criteria, Heritage Web sends an email notification with a preview of the case details. The email never includes client contact information - you must log into your Pro Bono Dashboard and click "I'll Take It" to access contact details. This protects client privacy and maintains the access counting system for free accounts.

How Pro Bono Email Notifications Work

What Triggers a Notification

You receive an email when:

  • A community member's request is approved for pro bono

  • Your listing matches all six filter criteria

  • The case falls within your service radius

  • Your specialties align with the need

  • Language requirements match (if specified)

Timing Based on Account Type

Sponsor Accounts:

  • Immediate notification when matched

  • 24-hour advantage over free accounts

  • First opportunity to accept cases

  • Unlimited acceptance capability

Free Accounts:

  • Notification arrives 24 hours after sponsors

  • Same case visibility, just delayed

  • Limited to 3 acceptances per month

  • May find best cases already taken

Email Content Details

What's Included

Case Preview Information:

  • Type of service needed

  • Brief description (2-3 sentences)

  • General location (City, State)

  • Source publication

  • Urgency indicator

  • Link to Pro Bono Dashboard

What's NOT Included

Protected Information:

  • Client's name

  • Phone number

  • Email address

  • Specific address

  • Any identifying details

  • Full case description

This ensures client confidentiality and prevents bypassing the system.

Sample Email Content

Subject: New Pro Bono Opportunity - Immigration Services

A community member needs assistance with immigration documentation.

Location: Houston, TX Source: IranianLawyers.com

[View Opportunity in Dashboard]

Critical Difference from Paid Referrals

Pro Bono Process

Cannot Accept via Email:

  1. Click dashboard link in email

  2. Review full case details

  3. Click "I'll Take It" button

  4. Contact information revealed

  5. Counts against monthly limit (if free)

Why No Email Acceptance

System Requirements:

  • Must track access counting

  • Ensure limit compliance

  • Maintain audit trail

  • Protect client privacy

  • Prevent system circumvention

Configuring Email Notifications

Where to Set Up

Account Level: Dashboard > Account Settings > Notifications

Listing Level: Edit Listing > Notification table section

Adding Email Recipients

Limits by Account Type:

Free Listings:

  • Primary email (required)

  • 1 additional email

  • Total: 2 email addresses

Sponsor Listings:

  • Primary email (required)

  • 5 additional emails

  • Total: 6 email addresses

Best Practices for Email Setup

Who to Include:

  • Primary attorney/professional

  • Assistant who monitors email

  • Pro bono coordinator

  • Backup contact person

Important Note:

  • All recipients see same preview

  • None can accept via email

  • Must have dashboard access to accept

  • Consider team member roles

Managing Primary Email

Warning: Disabling primary email removes the "Message" button from your public listing

Recommendations:

  • Keep primary email active

  • Use filtering if volume too high

  • Add additional emails instead

  • Monitor regularly for opportunities

Notification Management Strategies

For High Volume

If Getting Too Many Emails:

  • Refine your specialties

  • Reduce service radius (contact support)

  • Use email filters/folders

  • Delegate monitoring to team

  • Consider daily review schedule

For Low Volume

If Not Getting Notifications:

  • Verify listing is approved

  • Check spam/junk folders

  • Confirm specialties are broad enough

  • Verify notification settings enabled

  • Expand service radius

Email Filtering Tips

Create Folders For:

  • Pro bono notifications

  • Urgent cases

  • Specific practice areas

  • Different languages

Set Up Rules To:

  • Auto-sort by subject line

  • Flag urgent cases

  • Forward to team members

  • Create daily digests

Team Coordination

Email Distribution

For Team Members:

  1. Add their emails to notification table

  2. They receive same preview

  3. Must coordinate who accepts

  4. Remember shared limits (free accounts)

  5. Use Teams feature for access

Communication Protocol

Establish Clear Process:

  • Who reviews emails first

  • How quickly to respond

  • Assignment decision making

  • Acceptance authorization

  • Client contact timeline

Common Issues and Solutions

Not Receiving Expected Emails

Check These First:

  1. Listing approval status

  2. Spam/junk folders

  3. Email address accuracy

  4. Notification settings enabled

  5. Specialty alignment with cases

Emails But No Dashboard Matches

Possible Causes:

  • Another team member accepted

  • Case already taken by sponsor

  • Outside your actual radius

  • License issue discovered

Too Many Irrelevant Emails

Solutions:

  • Tighten specialty selection

  • Reduce radius if too broad

  • Review language settings

  • Update listing details

  • Contact support for help

Understanding the Preview Strategy

Why Limited Information

Client Protection:

  • Maintains confidentiality

  • Prevents unsolicited contact

  • Ensures proper channel use

  • Protects vulnerable clients

System Integrity:

  • Enforces access limits

  • Tracks acceptance properly

  • Maintains audit trail

  • Supports sustainability

Making Accept Decisions

From Preview, Assess:

  • General service need alignment

  • Geographic feasibility

  • Language capability

  • Capacity to help

  • Urgency level

In Dashboard, Confirm:

  • Full case details

  • Specific requirements

  • Timeline needs

  • Special circumstances

  • Final decision

Mobile Considerations

Reading Emails on Mobile

Works Well:

  • Email preview visible

  • Dashboard link accessible

  • Can review on the go

  • Quick assessment possible

Limitations:

  • Cannot accept from email

  • Must access dashboard

  • May need desktop for acceptance

  • Consider mobile browser

FAQs

Q: Can I reply to the notification email to accept? A: No. You must use the Pro Bono Dashboard to accept cases. Email replies are not monitored.

Q: Why can't I see the client's name in the email? A: Client information is protected until you formally accept the case through the dashboard.

Q: Can forwarded emails allow others to accept? A: No. The recipient would need their own dashboard access and must be a team member or have their own approved listing.

Q: Do notification emails expire? A: The emails don't expire, but the pro bono opportunities they reference expire 60 days after review.

Q: Can I set up different emails for different types of cases? A: No. Email notifications go to all configured addresses regardless of case type.

Q: What if I delete the email accidentally? A: Check your Pro Bono Dashboard directly - all matched opportunities appear there regardless of email status.

Next Steps

  • Verify your email notification settings

  • Add relevant team member emails

  • Check spam filters

  • Create email organization system

  • Establish team protocols

  • Monitor dashboard regularly

  • Consider sponsor upgrade for unlimited access

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