The VOLS Unemployment Insurance Advocacy Project recruits, trains, and mentors volunteer attorneys to represent individuals in administrative hearings before the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board in New York City. Lawyers representing claimants will interview clients, review documents, develop case theory, conduct direct and cross-examinations, and make closing arguments before an administrative law judge. On average, preparation for a case involves between 10-12 hours, and from start to finish the average case lasts five weeks.

At a time of widespread economic distress, this project provides an opportunity for lawyers to relieve some of the suffering being experienced by their fellow New Yorkers. Participating lawyers will assist individuals who find themselves jobless, some unable to meet basic living expenses, like rent. At hearings following denial of benefits by the New York State Department of Labor, an unrepresented claimant will prevail only twenty eight percent of the time. When represented at a hearing, a claimant's success rate more than doubles.