YOU can help make the law work for everyone!
OUR HOTTEST NEW VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES -- Call or e-mail us to ask about:
The new Urban Indian Legal Clinic -- legal assistance for income eligible Native Americans with civil legal problems
The Lawhelp Center -- a chance for experienced family law attorneys to have an impact and make the system work better for everyone!
Lawyers Helping Youth Access School -- a joint project of the TPCBA VLS Program and TeamChild which provides training and mentoring for volunteers interested in representing youth in school discipline hearings; an excellent opportunity for both new and experienced attorneys.
Call or e-mail us for more information on these or the many other opportunities we have for you to give back to the community and make the law work for everyone! Many of your fellow TPCBA members are already getting the satisfaction of using their legal education, skill and experience to help people who face civil legal issues affecting their basic human needs, who cannot afford to hire or even speak to an attorney to get help.
TPCBA members who volunteer through the TPCBA's Volunteer Legal Services Program have some special advantages:
You can get up to 6 CLE credits per year by attending 2 hours of training sponsored by any qualified legal services provider and doing 4 hours of pro bono work.Pro bono hours can include giving advice or providing a limited service through a clinic, providing full or limited representation to a low-income client, and many other possibilities.
All pro bono work through TPCBA VLS is designed to meet the civil legal needs of our county's low-income population by working with you to find a volunteer opportunity that works with your schedule and your interests.
The amount and frequency of pro bono work you may agree to do is entirely up to you.
Clients are pre-screened for eligibility (currently up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level) -- and you choose the clients and cases you want.Malpratice insurance is provided for attorneys who do pro bono work through the VLS Program.
Mentoring is available.
Some support for unusual costs of litigation is available.
A variety of training is available, live and on tape/DVD/CD.
VLS works with other legal aid and social services providers in Pierce County to be sure you and your pro bono clients receive the best possible support and referral.
If you don't have your own office, VLS can provide office space, copier, Internet access, private client interview rooms, at the Access to Civil Justice Center only one block from the Courthouse.
You will be contributing to a more efficient and fair environment in court if you represent someone who would otherwise be appearing pro se, and directly helping to create equal justice in our community by representing someone who would otherwise not be able to appear at all.
Last but not least, you will be featured in the Bar News each month in which you volunteer.
Contact Volunteer Legal Services at (253) 572-5134 or vls@tacomaprobono.org; we want to work with you personally to find a volunteer opportunity which will be professionally and personally satisfying.
Last updated May 8, 2012