Attorneys, as the leaders of justice, have a special responsibility to make sure legal system is fair and accessible to everyone regardless of their income or circumstances. That’s why the Justice and Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco (JDC) offers a variety of pro bono opportunities for lawyers to use their skills while doing good work.
Expert Attorney at JDC’s Legal Advice and Referral Clinics
JDC’s Legal Advice and Referral Clinic is looking for attorneys with at least five years’ experience in one or more of the following areas of law: Landlord/Tenant, Family, Criminal, Employment, Personal Injury, Probate, Consumer, Contracts, and Immigration. Clinics are held once a month at UC Hastings from 10:30am-3:30pm. Attorney volunteers give free 10-15 minute consultations with clients and refer them to outside organizations when appropriate. Please contact Gloria Chun if interested.
Pro Bono Family Law Attorney for the Family Law Project
The Family Law Project is looking for attorney volunteers assists low-income individuals and families with family law matters including marital dissolutions, child custody, and child support. The project also assists with related issues such as domestic violence restraining orders, guardianships, conservatorships, wills, and powers of attorney. Cases provide opportunities for courtroom experience and client contact. The next Family Law training will be on September 18th, 2019. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Caitlin Flammer for more details.
Pro Bono Tax Attorney for the Tax Project
Volunteers with the Tax Project assist taxpayers in controversy with the Internal Revenue Service, including audits, appeals, U.S. Tax Court and other federal court cases, collection disputes and can help taxpayers respond to IRS notices and to correct account problems. Volunteering with the Tax Project is a great opportunity to gain more experience with a mentor’s help, become more involved in individual cases, and represent clients. For experienced professionals, the project offers a way to help someone in need, including providing limited-scope advice and assistance to self-representing petitions at U.S. Tax Court calendar calls in San Francisco. While there are many ways to volunteer with the Tax Project, one of our greatest needs is volunteers who will accept cases from JDC for further assessment, advice and full-scope representation. JDC pre-screens all matters and cases, and provides malpractice insurance. Please contact Supervising Attorney Amy Spivey for more details, and sign up for the next training on October 10th.
Pro Bono Consumer Attorney for the Consumer Law Project
The Consumer Advocacy Project helps low income individuals facing debt collection lawsuits, harassment, student and consumer loan issues. There are two ways to volunteer and make a difference: 1) the CAP clinic meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 6-9 PM where volunteers can provide limited scope legal advice and services, and 2) attorneys can volunteer to take on a full-scope debt defense case, with the help of a mentor (5-18 hours of work expected). Free training with CLE is for new volunteers is required. Contact Supervising Attorney Desiree Nguyen Orth.
Pro Bono Attorney for the Federal Pro Bono Project
The Federal Pro Bono Project takes a two pronged approach to addressing inequity in civil representation. First, we offer direct limited scope representation to pro se litigants. Second, in select cases, we place pro se cases with pro bono counsel. Being a part of FedPro’s pro bono panel gives attorneys the opportunity to make a huge difference in someone’s life; gain valuable Federal advocacy experience; and become familiar with the Judges in the Northern District. We ask that attorneys on the panel have 5 years of Federal Civil Litigation experience or are directly supervised by an attorney who does. If you are interested in participating on our panel, please contact Supervising Attorney RoseMarie Maliekel.
