Law student, paralegal, law graduate, and paralegal student volunteers bring valuable support to attorney volunteers and to Legal Aid as a whole. Working in partnership with local law schools and universities, the Volunteer Lawyers Program offers valuable experience to law and paralegal students while in the service of low-income individuals in need of legal assistance.
In-house volunteer opportunities exist for people in any of the 5 counties served by Legal Aid: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain. In-house volunteer positions typically open in January, May and August, and require a minimum 12 hour a week, 12-week commitment.
Requirements for volunteering with Legal Aid include a commitment to helping low-income persons; excellent communication skills; an ability to work independently and with a team; and respect for people of diverse cultures and communities. Additional requirements include a proficiency in MS Office 365; attention to detail; and the ability to handle multiple tasks.
Law students interested in Summer Associate positions, click here to visit Legal Aid's career page. Typically, the application process is announced for the summer associate program in November each year.
Volunteer Opportunities for Law Students
Brief Advice Clinics
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.
Externships and In-House Volunteers
In-house volunteers at Legal Aid work closely with Legal Aid staff attorneys to assist directly on client cases or to work on special projects.
Volunteer on a Virtual Docket
Help screen tenants for Cleveland's Right to Counsel.