The Volunteer Lawyers Program works in partnership with local law schools to offer valuable experience to students while in the service of low-income individuals in need of legal assistance. Opportunities for law students include participation in the following clinics: Brief Advice, Immigration and Pro Se Divorce.

Brief Advice and Referral Clinics
Student volunteers conduct “intake triage” for clinics and meet with clients to gather general information about legal issues. The students join attorneys for the in-depth attorney/client interview. Brief Advice and Referral Clinics, held Saturday mornings at neighborhood locations, are a great way to develop interview skills and see a wide range of issues in a short amount of time. A list of upcoming clinics is available on the Events page.

If you are a a law student, and would like to volunteer at an upcoming clinic — click here to see a list of clinics with openings for law student volunteers.  Registration for clinic intake is limited to law students only.  If you are an attorney, please contact probono@lasclev.org . Legal Aid needs approximately 10 law students per event. Please limit your registration to one Brief Advice or specialty clinic per quarter. You are not confirmed to attend until you receive an email a few days prior to the clinic. The confirmation email will contain directions and other important information.

Immigration Clinics
Coordinated by Legal Aid, Catholic Charities and the C. Lyonel Jones Pro Bono Immigration Committee, these clinics guide pre-screened clients through the long and complicated immigration-filing process. Students are assigned to a family and the immigration paperwork is usually completed during one clinic session. Volunteer attorneys review paperwork and instruct clients on necessary next steps. Students learn the need for open communication between client and attorney, and about difficulties faced by immigrant families.

Pro Se Divorce Clinic
The Pro Se Divorce Clinics are designed to help people who want to divorce, but whom Legal Aid is unable to help.  Student volunteers assist pre-screened divorce clients in filing necessary documents. Once that process is completed, the student volunteers, under attorney supervision, instruct clients about filing divorce complaints and monitor cases to be sure service is affected and hearing dates are set.  Students also help prepare clients for court hearings. These clinics give students exposure to a courtroom setting and further develop communication skills.

New and exciting opportunities for student volunteers are continually developed.

For additional information or to sign up for volunteer notices, contact Lauren Gilbride, Esq. at lauren.gilbride@lasclev.org.