POV Legal Advocacy Services: Pro Bono Opportunities

The Pro Bono Program at POV offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities for attorneys, recently retired attorneys, post-bar grads, law grads, students, post-bar grads and other volunteers. Our volunteers make a huge difference in the lives of POV clients and are essential to the provision of legal services to the community.

Even if you are new to pro bono service, our mentoring, training and materials will prepare you to navigate new areas of law. And we’ll give you the tools and support to approach every case with cultural humility, keeping the client at the center of your work and pairing your legal expertise with clients’ expertise of their lived experiences. Not only will you gain valuable skills – you’ll make a difference in the lives of survivors of violence.

 

Taking Cases

Family Law Pro Bono Advocacy Program

POV provides training and mentorship to attorneys interested in assisting low-income family law litigants with limited and full scope representation in family law matters, including Dissolution, Domestic Violence, Custody, and Support.

Estimated time commitment: 25 hours.

Limited Scope Representation in Domestic Violence Restraining Order Hearings

Volunteer attorneys provide limited scope representation (appx. 1 or 2 hearings) for domestic violence survivors seeking permanent restraining orders and important related child custody, visitation and support orders. Volunteers receive training, a practice manual and sample pleadings and ongoing mentorship. Opportunities are available throughout the year.

Estimated time commitment: 25 hours.

 

Legal Clinics

Domestic Violence Restraining Order Clinics

POV staff and volunteers assist self-represented domestic violence survivors complete the paperwork and understand the process to request a restraining order and important custody, visitation and support orders.

Here to Stay Immigration Screening Clinics

(10 to 15 clients) Help POV screen low-income victims of domestic violence who seek legal status. U Nonimmigrant Status - commonly known as "U-Visas" - are available to victims of serious crimes who have cooperated with law enforcement. VAWA self-petitions are another form of immigration relief for domestic violence victims who are married to US citizens or permanent residents. The clinic is 4 hours, including 1 hour of training. Volunteers will meet with clients, walk through a series of questions, review documents to determine if they are eligible to apply for a U-visa or VAWA self-petition, and assess any risks to doing so at this time. The clinic is limited-scope.

 

Contact

Ready to volunteer? Contact us today!