JDC Volunteer Opportunities for Non-Attorneys

Welcome! If you are not an attorney but are interested in legal services opportunities, we have many rewarding volunteer options available to you with the projects listed below-- especially if you are a law student or paralegal.

Contact:
415-782-9000 x8759
probono@sfbar.org

• Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP)
  Serve as an advocate for people who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Negotiate with landlords, assist with completing applications for disability benefits, etc. (Some legal experience required)
  ***Volunteers for this project must be available to commit a significant amount of time to this project***
• Legal Advice and Referral Clinic(LARC)
  Volunteer at a free monthly walk-in clinic where experienced attorneys give advice to low-incomeclients and/or make appropriate referrals to community agencies or organizations. Volunteers are needed to conduct intake interviews with clients,as well as interpretwith clients and their attorney as necessary
  • At least1 Saturday morning commitment
  • Brief training provided
• Interpreter Project
  Help non-English speaking clients receive the legal assistance they need by serving as a volunteer interpreter between that client and the volunteer attorney or social workder. Languages preferred: Spanish and Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese), all others also welcome.
• • Usually weekday hours; time commitment varies per case
  • 2 1/2 hour training through JDC required
  • Requires 2 case commitment

• Our Consumer Project uses law student volunteers for its Consumer Debt Defense and Education Clinic Students will assist attorneys with drafting cease and desist letters to creditors, answers, fee waiver applications, responses to discovery, motions for summary judgment, demands for bills of particulars, claims of exemption, proposed orders and proofs of service. The students will also perform legal research on-site as needed and help manage the clinic and communications with the clients. Depending on the flow of the clinic, students will likely also be able to sit in on client consultations. As the clinic develops, students may be able to attend hearings and/or trials with attorneys who have agreed to take on full-scope representations. This is an excellent way for students to get familiar with basic litigation practices, documents, procedures and strategies with a limited commitment.
  **Students must attend a 1-hour training session prior to volunteering for the clinic**