Pro Bono News

NYLAG Seeks Volunteers for Consumer Credit Project/Volunteer Lawyer for a Day Program

Friday, August 26, 2011

  • New York Legal Assistance Group
  • Source: New York

In the current economic downturn, unparalleled number of New Yorkers is finding themselves summoned to court by debt collectors. Only about 1% of consumer debtor defendants are represented by counsel, while all plaintiff creditors are represented by counsel. Nearly all of these defendants have nowhere to turn for legal advice or representation because of the dearth of free legal services available in these matters.

The New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) seeks volunteer admitted attorneys and/or 2nd and 3rd year law students and law graduates for a public interest opportunity with the Volunteer Lawyer for a Day-Consumer Credit Project for unrepresented litigants in New York City's Civil Courts.

NYLAG is seeking volunteers for this program in the Bronx. Court is easily accessible by public transportation and interns will be able to assist particularly vulnerable and overlooked litigants in desperate need of representation. Volunteers are needed Monday-Thursday, from 9:00 AM-1:00PM.

This program provides attorneys/interns with the opportunity to represent clients in court, negotiate with opposing counsel, and argue before a judge. Attorneys/interns gain invaluable, hands-on litigation experience while simultaneously helping some of the New York's most disadvantaged civil litigants obtain due process of law.

The program is supervised by a coordinating attorney with expertise in consumer credit law and you will receive intensive consumer law training prior to taking on your first case. This is an incredible and unusual opportunity to step inside a Courtroom and litigate a case with close supervision, and see for yourself what the legal profession is all about (for interns), or boost your expertise in a new area of law (for attorneys), all while helping the consumers who need it most!

To apply please email your resume and cover letter to volunteer@nylag.org. In the subject line please write "Volunteer for Consumer Credit Project."

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