Attorneys and Pro Bono
Attorneys provide invaluable pro bono services to our clients every day. Without the continuous support of our pro bono partners, we would not be able to serve many survivors in dire need of legal assistance and representation. LACLJ’s current pro bono opportunities include:
- Representing survivors at hearings to request Domestic Violence Restraining Orders or in family law trials
- Representing immigrant survivors in petitions for U-Visas, T-Visas, VAWAs, and Adjustment of Status (Legal Permanent Residency
- Clinic+ opportunity to assist with Adjustment of Status (Legal Permanent Residence) for U visa holders
- Representing survivors in Vacatur motions to vacate convictions related to their victimization
- Participating in our California Legal Access for Survivors Partnership (CLASP) project to review already-completed restraining order applications
- Representing survivors in Appeals
- Providing counsel and advice or limited legal assistance is specialized areas of law
- Other opportunities may arise on case-by-case basis depending on client needs.
LACLJ attorneys provide training and ongoing support and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys who take a case with us, and we have resources, toolkits, templates, and other materials available to assist pro bono attorneys with representation. Pro bono cases also have the benefit of our integrated service model, so a social worker or MSW student will be assigned to support clients with emotional support, connection to resources, and other supportive services throughout the pro bono representation.
LACLJ also encourages our pro bono volunteers representing survivors at their restraining order hearings to visit the Pro Bono Training Institute (link opens in new tab) and view their excellent on demand video trainings on Domestic Violence Restraining Order Requests, VAWA Self-Petitions, Adjustments of Status, and Cultural Competency. These videos are free but you do have to create a login to access the training curriculum. Once you’re logged in, click on Training and look for the course “Domestic Violence Restraining Order Requests”. CLE credit is available!
To take a pro bono case with us, request a training for your firm, sign up for our Pro Bono Newsletter, or for more information about pro bono opportunities at LACLJ, please contact us at probono@LACLJ.org.
Fellowships
Implement a new project through an Equal Justice Works, Skadden school-sponsored, or other fellowship program! Fellowships provide a great opportunity for new public interest attorneys to work on issues they care about and gain the skills they need to be strong, effective advocates. LACLJ has experience hosting past fellows and is interested in developing fellowship projects that enhance and complement LACLJ’s existing practice areas. LACLJ will work with promising candidates to support your project proposal prior to the application process. Applicants who would like to partner with LACLJ as their host organization should contact LACLJ no later than two months before the fellowship application is due to discuss project ideas and feasibility.
LACLJ has particular interest in fellowship project proposals in the following areas:
- Building a practice and pro bono project around Vacatur and Post-Conviction relief for survivors with criminal convictions related to their abuse or trafficking. For more information see our Request for Proposals.
- Criminal justice advocacy and representation to preserve victims’ rights in criminal court proceedings
- Serving survivors with disabilities
- Assisting survivors in advocating for education rights for their children, such as advocacy related to Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
To apply, email the following application materials to volunteer@LACLJ.org:
- Cover letter briefly explaining project ideas, areas of interest and why the applicant cares about public interest work.
- Resume describing any language abilities and experience working with survivors and/or low-income populations.
If you would like more information about fellowship opportunities at LACLJ, please contact us at volunteer@LACLJ.org.
Law Students
Every summer, LACLJ hosts law students who receive hands-on experience in the practice of public interest law serving low-income families in Los Angeles. LACLJ’s Summer Clerk Program lasts 10 weeks and is designed to introduce each student to the areas of law that LACLJ practices, including immigration and family law. Law clerks work under the direct supervision of staff attorneys on intake as well as on assigned projects, and have an opportunity to:
- Analyze and assess individual clients’ needs
- Participate in direct communication with clients
- Review each case with a staff attorney to determine what assistance is needed
- Prepare pleadings, applications, memoranda and other written materials
- Attend and participate in legal and community trainings
- Assist in the development of resource materials for clients
- Conduct legal research
- Assist in representation of clients at hearings and trial
If you would like more information about our Summer Clerk Program, please contact us at volunteer@LACLJ.org
To apply for LACLJ’s Summer Clerk Program, please click here (volunteer form)
MSW Students
LACLJ provides exceptional MSW students from nationally recognized programs with 2nd year field placements as Community Advocates. Within their role as Community Advocates, MSW interns work alongside attorneys and advocates to provide holistic services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault within a legal setting. Community Advocates serve our diverse clientele with client-centered supportive services such as court accompaniment, safety planning, information and navigation assistance, crisis management planning, skills building and linkages to other service providers.
Community Advocate Summer Internship Program
As part of our program, LACLJ offers full-time summer internships for: (1) MSW concentration–year students; and (2) recent MSW graduates interested in worked in a non-traditional social work setting. Interns receive trainings on trauma-informed services and best practices for working with survivors of interpersonal violence. Recent MSW graduates registered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences would be eligible to receive supervised hours toward licensure.
If you would like more information about out Community Advocate Summer Internship Program, please contact volunteer@LACLJ.org.
To apply for LACLJ’s Community Advocate Summer Internship Program, click here. (volunteer form)
Corporate Volunteers
Company volunteer opportunities include organizing Court Wellness Kits, Care Packages Drives, Holiday Gift Drives and other activities. If your company is interested in volunteering, please contact development@LACLJ.org. We would be happy to explore ideas that fit our clients’ needs and your employees’ interests.
To apply for company volunteering opportunities, click here. (volunteer form)
