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Frequently Asked Questions
1. I want to volunteer, but am not sure which VLSP project would be the best fit, what should I do?Read about our volunteer opportunities. You'll need to read about the qualifications and commitment we need from our volunteers, which varies by project. If you still have questions, contact our recruitment coordinator at vlsp@sfbar.org. 2. I know which project I would like to volunteer for, how do I get started?Contact our recruitment coordinator at vlsp@sfbar.org and let us know your background (i.e., whether you are an attorney, paralegal, law student or other), the project you would like to volunteer for, and ask for a volunteer application. Once we have a copy of your volunteer application and resume, we will contact you regarding next steps, e.g., signing you up for training (if applicable) or adding you to a volunteer panel to be contacted for future cases or clinics. 3. I just took the California Bar Exam and am awaiting my results, can I volunteer with VLSP?Yes, some of our projects are available to individuals who are not members of the California Bar. These projects include: Family Law Assisted Self Help Project, Homeless Advocacy Project, and the Legal Advice and Referral Clinic (LARC). Read more about our volunteer opportunities. 4. I'm a new attorney and nervous about working with clients, will VLSP help me?Yes, while the client relationship is yours to manage once the case has been assigned to you, volunteer attorneys are encouraged to contact the appropriate VLSP supervising attorney when difficult client issues arise. Volunteers are also encouraged to contact VLSP's expert attorney panel with questions on substantive legal matters. 5. I don't have much time, is there a minimum volunteer commitment?Yes, we do expect that once you have accepted a pro bono matter from us that you will see it through to completion absent special circumstances. In addition, those projects that provide free substantive training typically require a two or three case pro bono commitment in exchange for the training. 6. I have no legal experience but am interested in going to law school one day, can I volunteer for VLSP?Yes, if you are bilingual and speak English and Spanish, Cantonese or Mandarin, we encourage you to volunteer for our Interpreter Project. If you are a college graduate with strong written and verbal communication skills, you may volunteer as an interviewer for our Legal Advice and Referral Clinic. Read more about our volunteer opportunities. 7. Are there evening and weekend volunteer opportunities?Currently our only weekend project is the Legal Advice and Referral Clinic. Law students and paralegals may volunteer as interviewers. Experienced attorneys are needed to give brief advice. Experienced social workers and interpreters are also needed. Read more about our volunteer opportunities. 8. Are trainings mandatory?Generally, yes, trainings are mandatory, unless you have pre-existing expertise and discuss this with us in advance. Some of our projects, however, such as the Consumer or Tort Defense Projects, do not provide trainings so if you are experienced in these areas, you can volunteer immediately. Read more about our volunteer opportunities. 9. I am attorney who does not want to go to court, is there anything for me?Yes, our Community Organization Representation Project provides ample volunteer opportunities for transactional attorneys. In addition, volunteers at our Legal Advice and Referral Clinic (LARC) only provide brief advice without an obligation to take on a case. Read more about our volunteer opportunities. 10. What volunteer opportunities are there for law students and paralegals?Law students and paralegals can choose from the following projects: Legal Advice and Referral Clinic (LARC), Family Law Assisted Self Help Project and the Homeless Advocacy Project. Read more about our volunteer opportunities. 11. Will VLSP provide malpractice insurance coverage for my pro bono cases?Yes, we will cover pro bono cases you take from VLSP, which is primary to your own or your law firm's insurance. 12. I'm not a lawyer, paralegal or law student, can I still get involved?Yes, if you are bilingual and speak English and Spanish, Cantonese or Mandarin, we encourage you to volunteer for our Interpreter Project. If you are a college graduate with strong written and verbal communication skills, you may volunteer as an interviewer for our Legal Advice and Referral Clinic. Read more about our volunteer opportunities. 13. I am a college or law student interested in an internship, are there opportunities at VLSP?Yes, we typically recruit one college student per semester from a Bay Area school. These are non-paid, volunteer positions requiring a minimum of ten hours per week for 12 weeks. We only recruit for student volunteers in January, April and August. Summer internship recruitment occurs in April. We typically recruit two college students for summer volunteer positions. These positions are unpaid, fulltime positions for 10 to 12 weeks. 14. How much time does the average VLSP pro bono matter take?This is a difficult question to answer because each case is different and VLSP cannot predict what will happen. In general, landlord/tenant cases may require intense work over a shorter period of time (i.e., 5-60 hours over a few weeks) but resolve relatively quickly while family law cases might be spread out over a number of months before resolution (i.e., 5-60 hours over six months or more). A simple incorporation of a non-profit organization can take less than 20 hours while representing a non-profit in a more complicated transactional matter can take over 50 hours. Many pro bono matters continue for more than a year. 15. What is probono.net/sf?It is a password protected Web site with resources for VLSP's volunteers. Volunteers can find descriptions of new pro bono cases, sample pleadings and memos, training manuals, social services library, news in legal services and a Bay Area events calendar. 16. How do I sign up for the VLSP eNewsletter?Sign up for the VLSP newsletter by emailing the VLSP Recruitment Coordinator at vlsp@sfbar.org. To ensure receipt of the newsletter, please add our domain name, sfbar.org, to your Whitelist or Address book. |