VOLUNTEER: FAQ

I’m an attorney and interested in volunteering at Legal Aid. What opportunities are available?
Legal Aid has several projects that are open to volunteer attorneys: Guardianship Pro Bono Project, Conservatorship Pro Bono Project, HomeSavers Project, or the Domestic Violence Collaborative.

We also welcome volunteers who wish to serve as a mentor, as a legal expert on our advisory panel, or as a translator. Please contact Director of Pro Bono Janet B. Seldon at jbseldon@legalaidsmc.org for more information.

I’m not an attorney, but I’d still like to volunteer. What opportunities are available?
For paralegals, we welcome volunteers in our housing clinics as part of our HomeSavers Project. Law students typically work in our advanced healthcare directive clinic, held every summer. We also welcome volunteers who wish to serve as a translator. Please contact Director of Pro Bono Janet B. Seldon at jbseldon@legalaidsmc.org for more information.

What is the time commitment expected of volunteers?
The time commitment depends on what kind of project you are working on. For instance, if you sign up to provide assistance to clients at our housing clinic, you are expected to stay for the entire time of the clinic (usually four hours). If you take on the representation of a client in a guardianship, conservatorship or domestic violence case, you are expected to work as many hours as necessary to complete the matter. Generally speaking a full representation case can take anywhere from 20-60 hours of legal work, including court hearings.

I’m not familiar with the civil law that Legal Aid does. Do you provide training? Yes, for all of Legal Aid’s pro bono projects, we provide training and supervision. We are an approved MCLE provider by the State Bar of California. All training time with Legal Aid can be applied towards your MCLE requirements.