NFPA Pro Bono Directory
Association/Geographical Listing
Revised: 06/17/2003
Note: Associations not listed are in the process of developing
their local pro bono program. Contact the NFPA Leadership
Directory to locate pro bono contact information for associations not
listed below.
Post Office
Association E-mail: Alaska@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/Alaska
Pro Bono Contact: Maria-Elena Walsh, mwalsh@gci.net
Miscellaneous: The Alaska Association of Paralegals advertises
pro bono opportunities in the community that have included opportunities to
volunteer with the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault to
assist on cases in Fairbanks (a divorce/custody case for a victim of domestic
violence and divorce and custody and severe history of domestic violence and
drug abuse by the father of the children). Additional opportunities include
assisting the Alaska Bar Association with their CLE library (catalog describing
CLE materials for the
Capital District Paralegal Association, Inc.
Post Office
Association E-mail: CapitalDistrict@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.cdpa.info/
Pro Bono Contact: Hollie J. Farnan, (518) 452-1800, hfarnan@hotmail.com
Albany County Bar Association's Pro Se Divorce Clinic:
Paralegals assist pro se litigants who cannot afford legal
representation fill out legal documents under attorney supervision.
Contact: Hollie J. Farnan,
Capital District Paralegal Association, Inc., (518) 452-1800.
Central Connecticut Paralegal Association, Inc.
Post Office
Association E-mail: CentralConnecticut@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/CentralConnecticut/home.html
Pro Bono Contact: Kathleen Partovi, (860)
240-6116, kpartovi@murthalaw.com
CASA GAL: A CASA GAL is trained to represent the best interest
of the child in a juvenile abuse and neglect proceedings. The court appoints
the CASA GAL as an advocate for the child. Volunteers must attend 5 days
of training. Training is from
Children in Placement (CIP): CIP is the "sponsoring state"
program for the national Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer
organization. CIP has two different volunteer programs available:
CASA Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) and
Volunteer Monitor. Contact: Kathy Partovi,
Family Clinic: The Connecticut Bar Association's Law Works for
People coordinates the volunteer paralegals and attorneys at the Family Clinic
in
Lawyers for Children Advocacy: Involves volunteer attorneys who
represent children in abuse and neglect proceedings. Paralegals are paired with
one or two attorneys on each case. Paralegals receive credit for their
volunteer hours under The Law Works for People. Contact: Priscilla Pappadia, Esq., Connecticut Program Director, (860) 273-0441,
pappadiap@aetna.com.
Utility Day: Utility Day is a joint project of the state's
three paralegal associations, legal aid programs, social services agencies, and
utility companies. The purpose of Utility Day is to assist low income
clients enter into affordable payment arrangements with the utility companies
in order to avoid termination of services. The assistance of paralegal
volunteers is central to making the program a success. The role of the
volunteer is to meet with the client, review their budget and assist the client
in negotiating a payment arrangement with the utility company. Attorneys
from Statewide Legal Services are on-site to work with the volunteers, utility
companies and clients. Training for the paralegals is provided by
Statewide Legal Services. The training focuses on client budget
counseling and basic utility law. Contact: Kathy Partovi,
Volunteer Monitor: A Volunteer Monitor is trained to conduct
telephone follow-up with social workers, counselors, schools, teachers, parent
aide programs and other human service providers to assess the degree of
compliance by parents with the court ordered Specific Steps, and to report
their findings to the court. Monitors undergo one day of training.
Volunteers are expected to make a commitment of one year. Contact: Traci
Christiansen, CIP Coordinator, (860)728-3204 or Kathy Partovi,
Post Office
Association E-mail: CentralMassachusetts@paralegals.org
Pro Bono Contact: Janice M. Amato, (978) 365-8494, janice.amato@nypro.com
Court Appointed Special Advocated Program (CASA): Volunteers
are assigned one case upon completion of the training program and act as
Guardian Ad Litem for abused or neglected
children in juvenile or probate and family court. CASA volunteers commit
to 18-months and a minimum of one case. Contact: Alicia Lenahan (
Educational Surrogate Parent Program (ESPP): An ESPP is a
volunteer who is a child’s representative and assists a child in obtaining
his/her special education rights. As an ESPP, the volunteer has the full
responsibility to participate in the special education process as the “parent,”
however the volunteer would have no financial responsibility towards the
child’s special education needs. Most of the children are between the ages of
three and twenty-two and live in foster homes, residential or group homes
and are generally in the custody of a state agency or the child’s parents
cannot be located and/or is unknown. The child has identified disabilities and
requires special education services. An ESPP volunteer is a committed
adult who represents the child at all levels of the special education process.
ESPP’s play a valuable role as they are trained and
have the right to: meet with and observe the child at school; attend all school
meetings concerning the child; review all school records and receive all
evaluations and progress reports; approve of any proposed change in the
Individualized Educational Program (IEP); and ask for a second, independent
evaluation of the child as well as to appeal a school’s decision. Volunteers
are assigned one child and the volunteer commitment, minus the training, is
approximately 10-20 hours in a year. Volunteer participate in the
planning, implementation and monitoring of Individualized Educational Plans for
children in the custody of state agency. Comprehensive orientation and
training is provided. A limited commitment of 1-20 hours per year is
required. Contact: Michelle Poolin, (508)
792-7679.
Homeowner Options for
Volunteer Connection: Weekends and evenings. Designed for busy adults who have a desire to serve their community
but have to fit volunteering into tight schedules. Volunteers are
presented with a calendar of events each month and choose the projects that fit
their interests and availability. This is a great opportunity to try different
experiences without making a long-term commitment. Contact: Kerri Sandberg,
(508) 757-5631.
The
Post Office
Association E-mail: CentralPennsylvania@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/CentralPennsylvania/home.html
Pro Bono Contact: Cathleen A. Kohr, (717)
234-4121, ckohr@tuckerlaw.com
Dauphin County Bar Association - Assistance in Poverty Law areas:
Contact: Cathleen A. Kohr, Central Pennsylvania
Paralegal Association, (717) 234-4121.
Post Office Box 14517
Cleveland, OH 4114-0517
Association E-mail: Cleveland@paralegals.org
Web Page: http://www.paralegals.org/Cleveland
Pro Bono Contact: Cherie Fortune, (216) 621-0230, cheriefortune@msn.com
Justice For Committee of the
Connecticut Association of Paralegals, Inc.
Post Office
Association E-mail: Connecticut@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/Connecticut/home.html
Pro Bono Contact: Raeann Bromark,
(203) 227-9545, raebromark@aol.com
Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, Inc.: Utility Day: A
joint project of the state's three paralegal
associations, legal aid programs, social service agencies, and utility
companies. The project, held in April, was started in
Post Office
Association E-mail: Dallas@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/Dallas
Pro Bono Contact: Al Fox, (214) 939-5500, foxa@hughesluce.com
Catholic Charities Immigration Counseling Services: Focuses on
deportation services, amnesty services, visa services, and citizenship
assistance (http://www.catholiccharitiesdal.org/services_immigration.htm).
Contact: Al Fox,
Housing Crisis Center/Dallas Tenants Association: Provides legal
services in housing and landlord/tenant matters for persons meeting poverty
guidelines (http://www.housingcrisiscenter.org/).
Contact: Al Fox,
Legal Services of
Georgia Association of Paralegals, Inc.
Association E-mail: Georgia@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/Georgia/home.htm
Pro Bono Contact: Eva F. Herr, (404) 601-2653, eherr@dmqlaw.com
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP): Paralegals
participate in a joint AARP/NFPA program whereby legal check up seminars for
seniors are conducted by paralegals at local AARP chapters and refer the
participating seniors to volunteer attorneys. Contact: Cindy Janicko, Program Director, (800) 633 4496, x 133, or Eva F.
Herr,
Animal Rights Law Projects: Paralegals assist as needed with the
formation of an animal law section with the
Fulton County Abandonment Court: GAP has been offered an
incredible opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of
children who desperately need child support in the Fulton County Abandonment
Court under the guidance of Judge Kim Warden and attorney Dan Bloom of the
Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation. Not only does this project help the
children, but it provides the courts with some much needed relief from the
strenuous Abandonment Calendar each Monday. This is a pilot program s and if
successful, will be considered for use in other counties. This is a
calendar wherein a custodial parent, who has obtained a warrant for non-payment
of court ordered child support, has a hearing to determine why the
non-custodial parent should not be held in contempt for non-payment of child
support. It is the goal of this court, to obtain the necessary information to
implement an Income Deduction Order, which would provide the child with almost
immediate support on a regular basis. The non-custodial parent is initially
given three options, 1) prepare the necessary paperwork to implement an Income
Deduction Order for the payment of child support; 2) have a hearing as to why
the contemptuous party should not be held in contempt and placed in jail; 3) to
request a paternity test should a party dispute paternity of the child.
Contact:
Georgia Legal Services Program (GLS): Paralegals draft wills for attorney review and assist with
administrative projects. Contact: Vicki Stevenson, Private Bar Coordinator, at
(404) 894 7707 or
Greater Lexington Paralegal Association, Inc.
Post Office
Association E-mail: Lexington@paralegals.org
Pro Bono Contact: Marsha Adams, (859) 225-9625, madams@jenkinsbailye.com
Fayette County Bar Association Family Law Pro Bono Clinic:
Interview clients for case approval and intake. Contact: Marsha Adams, Greater
Lexington Paralegal Association, Inc., (859) 225-9625.
Post Office
Association E-mail: Hawaii@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.hawaiiparalegal.org/
Pro Bono Contact: Evelyn Gomez, (808) 537-1868, Egomez@hsba.org
VLSH Pro Se Divorce Clinics: Saturday morning
clinics. Paralegals, under the direction of volunteer attorneys, assist pro
se divorce litigants at the weekend workshops throughout the
Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem Training:
Training held on 5 consecutive Saturdays. Paralegals volunteer to be the
"eyes and ears" of the court for a neglected or abused child as part
of the nationwide CASA program. Contact:
Gloria Zane, VGAL Coordinator at the Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem Office, (808) 538-5930.
Post Office Box 452
New Lenox, IL 60451-0452
Association E-mail: Illinois@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/Illinois
Pro Bono Contact: Karen M. Mason, (312) 715-4774, masonk@altheimer.com
Chicago
Athletic Association: The Illinois Paralegal Association’s (IPA) Pro
Bono Committee was the host of the Annual Meeting held at the Chicago
Athletic Association (April 17, 2003). The event was attended by 100
members and 10 exhibitors. All members were asked to contribute pens,
paper or discs to be given to the Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated
Mothers (CLAIM) and Center for Disabled and Elder Law (CDEL). Gail Smith,
Executive Director of CLAIM spoke about the organization and the training
process for volunteer paralegals, and IPA member Karyn
DeCuir spoke on what IPA members can do for CLAIM as
volunteers. Ms. Smith left with a box full of pens and paper for the
incarcerated mothers to use during legal advice classes. Contact: Karen M.
Mason,
Federal Station
Post Office
Association E-mail: Indiana@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/Indiana/home.html
Pro Bono Contact: Karen S. Wolfley, RP, (317)
846-6514, paralegal28@comcast.net
Community Organizations Legal Assistance Project: Community
Organizations Legal Assistance Project, Inc. (COLAP) provides pro bono
legal services to community-based non-profit organizations serving economically
disadvantaged individuals and neighborhoods in Marion County. Volunteer
paralegals will assist these organizations with articles of incorporation,
bylaws, and federal and state forms required to obtain non-profit and
tax-exempt status. Contact: Karen S. Wolfley,
RP,
Horizon House: Paralegals assist with homeless legal aid and
intake interviews with homeless clients. Contact: Karen S. Wolfley, RP,
Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic (NCLC): Neighborhood Christian
Legal Clinic is a legal clinic for those who meet the clinic's income
guidelines and provides free legal services. The clinic also offers lectures on
topics such as managing money, juvenile law, and landlord/tenant law.
Most of the pro bono projects involve civil matters, including family
law, guardianships, bankruptcy, landlord/tenant issues and public benefits and
can range from intake to legal research. Contact: Karen S. Wolfley, RP,
North
Association E-mail: KansasCity@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/KansasCity/home.html
Pro Bono Contact: Sheri Young, (816) 472-0800, ext. 236, syoung@bipc.com
Bears on Patrol: Members collect stuffed animals for their
annual "Bears on Patrol" activity that are donated to the North
Patrol Division of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department to be utilized to
comfort children involved in domestic disputes, motor vehicle collisions, and
other sad situations (155 stuffed animals were collected during May 2003 - a
total of 1,102 stuffed animals have been donated since 1993). Contact:
Sheri Young,
Community Service: Annual clothing drive - clothes were donated
to Goodwill Industries; donated Easter goodies for young patients at Children’s
Mercy Hospital; volunteers answered phones and took bids KCPT-TVs Annual Spring
Auction in April; provided home-baked cookies for the Children’s Museum
annual charity golf tournament in June; volunteered at the registration desk
and finish line of Cancer Action’s Grand Prix Race and Walk; participated in a
BBQ for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House; collected mittens,
gloves and hats were collected for St. Vincent’s Family Service Center;
volunteered at Marillac’s Enchanted Forest at Union
Station and members are participating in Marillac’s
“Birthday Club” on an individual basis by baking birthday cakes for its
residents; and volunteers ran the registration table for the Salvation Army
Angel Tree in December. Contact: Sheri Young,
Mock Trials for High Schools: Sponsored by the Young Lawyers
Section of the
Post Office
Association E-mail: Kansas@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/Kansas
Pro Bono Contact: Cheryl Pittman-McIntosh, (913) 715-3634, cheryl.pittman@jocoks.com
Directory: Pro Bono Contact maintains a Directory of
Volunteers offering, and Entities requesting Pro Bono services.
Recent Pro Bono participation includes: Court Appointed Special
Advocates, Free Law Clinics in association with Kansas Legal Aid, Kansas Elder
Law Committee,
Association E-mail: LongIsland@paralegals.org
Pro Bono Contact: Angela Puma, (631) 254-5267, ACP414@aol.com
Court Appointed Special Advocate Program: Paralegals assist the
family court with representation of abused and neglected children in the legal
system. Contact: Angela Puma,
Manhattan Paralegal Association, Inc.
Post Office Box 4006, Grand Central Station
Association E-mail: Manhattan@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/Manhattan/home.html
Pro Bono Contact: None
American Civil Liberties
Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC): Paralegals assist with follow-up
work for immigrants with HIV. Programs include (http://www.gmhc.org/):
Legal Action for Animals: A group of volunteer attorneys
devoted to animal protection. Various projects for specific cases; some
work involves legal research and writing.
Maryland Association of Paralegals, Inc.
550 M Ritchie Highway PMB # 203
Association E-mail: Maryland@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/Maryland/home.html
Pro Bono Contact: Flora Young, (410) 332-8589, flora@NQGRG.com
ACLU Eastern Shore Project: Attorneys and law firms assist ACLU
counsel with cases focusing on civil rights and civil liberties throughout the
state. Paralegals assist attorneys with legal research and case
preparation in civil rights and civil liberties impact cases for impoverished
residents. Contact: Flora Young,
Advocates for Children and Youth: The Schoolhouse Project provides
legal services for children who have been expelled, suspended or, for other
reasons, have lost valuable instruction time from school. Services typically
involve advice and counsel, negotiations with the schools and parents, and
occasionally an administrative hearing. Paralegals assist with intake
interviews and representation of students needing representation for school
suspension, homelessness, unmet mental health needs. Contact: Flora
Young,
Alternative Directions: Pro bono attorneys supervise
paralegals or handle various civil matters, particularly domestic law cases,
for men and women who are incarcerated or have recently been released from a
correctional facility and need assistance in reuniting with their families and
communities. The program handles uncontested civil matters pro se.
Paralegals assist with intake screening and legal research for incarcerated
individuals and ex-offenders with all types of civil cases. Contact:
Flora Young,
Baltimore Neighborhoods, Inc.: Paralegals assist attorneys with
case preparation and directly represent clients/tenants in
Family Law Hotline - Women's
Health Education Resource Organization: Paralegals handle intake
interviews, case referrals to volunteer attorneys and assist with legal
research and case preparation. Contact: Flora Young,
Homeless Persons Representation Project (HABC): Provides legal
services to the homeless. Paralegals act as advocates for clients at informal
reviews with HABC. Contact: Flora Young,
House of Ruth Domestic Violence Legal Clinic::
Paralegals perform intake interviews, find shelter space and assist with
case preparation. Contact: Flora Young,
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service and Bar Association of Baltimore City Pro
Bono Project (MVLS): MVLS refers cases in the areas of family law,
unemployment, consumer debt, tort defense, wills, power of attorney, school
suspensions, name changes, record expungement,
guardianships, and landlord-tenant issues and real estate to attorneys in all
jurisdictions of the state except Allegany County, Montgomery County and Prince
George's County. MVLS also operates Family Law Reduced Fee Program. Paralegals
assist with intake interviews of clients, assist attorneys on care referrals
and preparation of a Pro Bono Manual. Contact: Flora Young,
People's Pro Bono Action Center Inc.: Paralegals assist
with this clearinghouse and coordinators in recruitment and training of pro
bono volunteers and networking with various pro bono service providers
in a statewide program to better implement a legal services delivery system.
Contact: Flora Young,
Pro Bono Coordinating Council: Paralegals participate with
this ad hoc committee of pro bono providers to examine effective delivery of
services to
Public Justice Center, Inc. (PJC): The Program targets injustices
and develops strategies for reform in the areas of civil rights, children's
rights, housing, and domestic violence. PJC operates primarily through
impact litigation, proactive legislation, and public education. PJC's Tenant Advocacy Project provides legal services to
low-income tenants who need help preparing a legal defense to eviction
proceedings, to improve housing conditions, or to resolve a rent, lease, or
security deposit dispute. Volunteer lawyers handle cases and then
supervise lay advocates. Paralegals assist with legal research and case
preparation regarding rights of children and landlord/tenant groups.
Contact: Flora Young,
The Lawyers Clearing House (TLC): TLC works with nonprofit
organizations and individuals seeking legal assistance to start nonprofit
organizations which provide homes and shelters for the poor and disabled,
vocational training, tutoring, and other housing, economic and community
development aid or essential services to low-income people or
neighborhoods. The program provides monthly training on starting a
nonprofit organization. Volunteers are matched with organizations to act
as legal counsel. Paralegals perform intake interviews and assist with case
preparation for counsel to non-profit housing developers and shelter
providers. Contact: Flora Young,
Massachusetts Paralegal Association, Inc.
Post Office Box 1381
Marblehead, MA 01945
Association E-mail: Massachusetts@paralegals.org;
TheMPA@aol.com
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/Massachusetts/home.html
Pro Bono Contacts: Kathleen Harber, (617)
227-3030, harber@srbc.com; Rachel R. Keyo, (617) 310-8289, keyorr@tht.com
Court Appointed Special Advocated Program (CASA): Court
Appointed Special Advocated Program (CASA) in
Family Advocacy Program: Paralegals of all levels of experience
(including students) are assigned on projects, interact with the clients, and
work as an advocate if needed. Contacts:
Homeowner Options for
children who are in the special education program in
as the representative in ensuring that the child is evaluated within the
statutory guidelines as well as participating in annual reviews of the
child. Contacts:
Women's Bar Association - Family Law Project: Paralegals with
litigation experience work with an attorney to assist battered women in court
proceedings. Contacts:
Michiana Paralegal Association
Post Office Box 11458
South Bend, IN 46634
Association E-mail: Michiana@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/Michiana/home.html
Pro Bono Contacts: Michelle Hammer, (574) 247-8702, 247-8702,hammerm@sjrmc.org;
Lucinda Seider, (574) 247-8747, seiderl@sjrmc.org
Annual Law Day: MPA assists the St. Joseph County Bar
Association with annual Law Day related "Ask-a-Lawyer"
programs. In previous years, there was a live "Ask-a-Lawyer"
program conducted on a local television station. MPA members helped gather
and format viewer questions for presentation on air and assisted with
completion of paperwork. MPA members also participate in the
"Ask-a-Lawyer" programs held at local malls or county library
branches. MPA members assist with the initial screening, completion of
the intake form and referral to the appropriate volunteer attorney specializing
in the area of law at issue. Contacts: Michiana
Paralegal Association: Michelle Hammer, (574-247-8702; Lucinda Seider, (574) 247-8747.
Middle
Post Office
Association E-mail: MiddleTennessee@paralegals.org
Website: http://www.mtpaonline.com/
Pro Bono Contact: Christine Cronk (615)
850-8761, ccronk@wallerlaw.com
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA): There are several
Middle Tennessee Paralegal Association (MTPA) members who have completed
training and are advocates for the CASA program. CASA volunteers provide
background information to the courts in domestic cases involving
children. Volunteers serve the children involved in domestic cases by
investigating their family history and current situation, interviewing family,
friends, neighbors, school officials, social workers and any other relevant
parties. CASAs also visit the children where
they reside and ultimately make recommendations to the court regarding their
findings. Contact Christine Cronk, Middle
Law Day: MTPA members in the past have volunteered and
participated in the Nashville Bar Association' Young Lawyers Division Law Day
events celebrated in May of each year. In 2002 MTPA developed its own
independent Law Day program for a local YWCA after school program involving
youth in grades K-12. Coloring sheets were created for the younger
children in connection with a short presentation and discussion of the value of
the Law and laws in our country. An essay contest was offered for the
older children. MTPA intends to put together its own Law Day Program
annually. Contact Christine Cronk, Middle
Nashville Bar Association Saturday Pro Bono Clinic: One
Saturday a month, local attorneys partner with paralegals from MTPA members
partner with volunteer attorneys and meet with clients pre-screened by the
Nashville Bar Association’s Pro Bono Division (Division) who are in need
of free legal advice on numerous types of legal matters such as landlord/tenant
disputes, labor and employment, personal injury, probate, collection and
contract matters to name just a few. Supervised by the Nashville Bar
Association's Pro Bono Program., paralegals
perform intake for pre-screening and eligibility purposes; solicit attorney
volunteers, participate in the clinics by working with volunteer attorneys to
assist clinic clients in a variety of ways and input attorney/client meeting
notes into the Pro Bono database. MTPA paralegals take notes of
the meeting and the advice given by the attorney, fill out interview forms
summarizing the meeting, assist with providing and explaining appropriate and
various court forms to clients, perform legal research and numerous other tasks
as needed throughout the approximately 4 hour clinic. Following each
client meeting, MTPA paralegals also enter their summaries into the Division’s
database. MTPA paralegals also telephone and solicit attorney volunteers
to staff the clinics. Beginning in April of 2002, MTPA paralegals started
assisting the Division with the client pre-screening process and now a group of
MTPA paralegals regularly spend several hours a month making calls to potential
Clinic clients and perform intake necessary to determine qualification for the
program. Contact Christine Cronk, Middle
1711 W. County Road B, Suite #300N
Association E-mail: Minnesota@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/Minnesota/home.html
Pro Bono Contact: Michelle McCullough, (612) 373-6936, mmccullough@slwk.com
AccountAbilty
Community Service: Volunteers are provided to “Everybody Wins,” a
national program designed to improve students’ literacy skills. The
Minnesota State Bar Association requests volunteers to visit
Chrysalis Women's Center: Program provides information sessions
and provides participants with packets and materials. Contact: Michelle
McCullough,
Guardian Ad Litem Programs for Hennepin and
Law Day: Paralegals participate, in conjunction with the local bar
association, to help staff intake clinics as local malls. Contact:
Michelle McCullough,
National Capital Area Paralegal Association
Post Office
Association E-mail: Info@ncapa.com
Web Site: http://www.ncapa.com/
Pro Bono Contact: Andrea G. Lupanze, (202)
789-6103, probono@ncapa.com
Bread for the City;
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington-Legal Clinic;
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA); Fairfax County, VA and
Montgomery County, MD: CASAs are trained
volunteers who provide child-related background information to the courts in
domestic cases by interviewing and investigating the child, the child’s
parents, family members, social workers, school officials, health providers,
and others knowledgeable about the child's history. CASA volunteers also
review medical, education, and social reports in developing their court-requested
recommendations. Several NCAPA members have completed the mandatory
36-hour CASA training program; where they learn about courtroom procedures,
advocacy techniques for children, child sexual abuse, and child development;
and they are now volunteering their time. CASA volunteers are required to
apprentice with experienced volunteers prior to working on a case.
Contact: Andrea Lupanze, National Capital Area
Paralegal Association, (202) 789-6103.
DC Bar Pro Bono Program Advice and Referral Legal Clinic;
DC Bar Pro Bono Program Training Opportunities;
Disabled American Veterans (DAV): Paralegals assist this
nationally-affiliated organization’s advocacy needs for veterans, their
dependents, and their survivors. The vast majority of cases involve
granting or increasing veteran disability claims, and the forums range from the
Veterans Administration and other Federal agencies (administrative review) to
the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (judicial determinations).
Other claims involve military discharge review and military records
correction. Volunteers are involved with cases of compensation, rehabilitation,
education programs, pensions, death benefits, employment
and training programs. Volunteers are properly trained and well-versed in
military and Federal laws and regulations. Volunteers assist with
interviews and investigations; drafting claims, briefs, and other legal
documents; and off-site case field work. Contact: Andrea Lupanze, National Capital Area Paralegal Association, (202)
789-6103.
Neighborhood Outreach Program,
Pro-Se-Plus Divorce Clinic;
The
Uncontested Divorce Clinics (LSNV); Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, City of
Alexandria, Virginia: Respective local bar associations, paralegals,
and Legal Services of Northern Virginia staff have combined forces to execute a
pro bono program where paralegals work with clients in LSNV’s offices in Fairfax, Leesburg (Loudoun County), and
Alexandria. Paralegals perform initial intake interviews in this no-fault, uncontested divorce clinic. Clients
who meet established residency and financial guidelines are later assigned a pro
bono attorney to complete the uncontested divorce. Contact: Andrea Lupanze, National Capital Area Paralegal Association, (202)
789-6103.
The
New Haven County Association of Paralegals, Inc.
Post Office Box 862
New Haven, CT 06504-0862
Association E-mail: NewHaven@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/NewHaven/home.html
Pro Bono Contact: LoRaine J. LaMorte, (203) 795-3733, llamorte@optonline.net or llamorte@networksynergy.net
CASA Guardian Ad Litem (GAL):
A CASA GAL is trained to represent the best interest of the child in a juvenile
abuse and neglect proceedings. The court appoints the CASA GAL as an
advocate for the child. Volunteers must attend 5 days of training.
Training is from
Children in Placement (CIP): CIP is the "sponsoring
state" program for the national Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
volunteer organization. CIP has two different volunteer programs
available: CASA Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem
(GAL) and Volunteer Monitor. Contact: LoRaine J. LaMorte,
Family Clinic: The Connecticut Bar Association's Law Works for
People coordinates the volunteer paralegals and attorneys at the Family Clinic
in
Utility Day: Utility Day is a joint project of the state's
three paralegal associations, legal aid programs, social services agencies, and
utility companies. The purpose of Utility Day is to assist low income
clients enter into affordable payment arrangements with the utility companies
in order to avoid termination of services. The assistance of paralegal
volunteers is central to making the program a success. The role of the
volunteer is to meet with the client, review their budget and assist the client
in negotiating a payment arrangement with the utility company. Attorneys from
Statewide Legal Services are on-site to work with the volunteers, utility
companies and clients. Training for the paralegals is provided by
Statewide Legal Services. The training focuses on client budget
counseling and basic utility law. Contact: LoRaine
J. LaMorte,
Volunteer Monitor: A Volunteer Monitor is trained to conduct
telephone follow-up with social workers, counselors, schools, teachers, parent
aide programs and other human service providers to assess the degree of
compliance by parents with the court ordered Specific Steps, and to report
their findings to the court. Monitors undergo one day of training.
Volunteers are expected to make a commitment of one year. Contacts: Bebe Lacina, CIP Coordinator,
(203) 784-0344; LoRaine J. LaMorte,
Post Office
Association E-mail: NewOrleans@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/NewOrleans/home.html
Pro Bono Contact: Mignonne M. Volterre, (504) 299-2241, mvolterre@shergarner.com
Northeast Indiana Paralegal Association, Inc.
Post Office
Association E-mail: NortheastIndiana@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/NortheastIndiana/home.html
Pro Bono Contact: Donna L. Gleason, (260) 455-4332, DLGleason@LNC.com
"Talk With A Lawyer":
Members offered their services during a "Talk With A Lawyer" program
which was offered to the public on Martin Luther King Day. Contact: Donna L.
Gleason,
Volunteer Lawyer Program (VLP): VLP is as an independent,
not-for-profit organization set up as a 501(c)(3)
corporation by the Indiana Judicial District 3 Pro Bono Committee.
It serves nine counties in
Post Office
Association E-mail: Oregon@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/Oregon/home.html
Pro Bono Contact: Kelly Hallman, (503) 233-9623, hallman@rocketmail.com
Catholic Charities: Program works with issues involving
homeless and victimized women; at-risk children; hungry, homeless, and
struggling families; refugees; family and youth counseling; and health care
access. Program provides general assistance with immigration cases. Contact:
Kelly Hallman,
Child Abuse Response and Education (Cares) Northwest: Provide a
centralized assessment center for children who may have been abused or
neglected. Program refers child abuse victims to sources of legal
assistance. Contact: Kelly Hallman,
Legal Aid Services: Organization screens clients for self-help
divorce classes and currently assisting with the Comprehensive Legal Needs Survey.
Contact: Kelly Hallman,
Lutheran Family Service: Organization provides general assistance
with immigration cases. Contact: Kelly Hallman,
Yolanda House (Women's Shelter): Emergency shelter and service
program for women survivors of domestic or sexual violence and their
children. Services provided by Yolanda House include safe shelter, crisis
counseling, follow-up contact, individual and group counseling, information and
referral (over the phone and in person), criminal justice advocacy, emergency
financial assistance, personal advocacy, comprehensive safety planning and in
depth information on the dynamics, effects and healing steps in domestic/sexual
violence situations. Also provide emergency food and medical resources,
drug/alcohol assessments and substance abuse recovery meetings. Organization refers clients to sources of legal assistance and
provide procedural information. Contact: Kelly Hallman,
Palmetto Paralegal Association
Post Office
Association E-mail: Palmetto@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/Palmetto/home.html
Pro Bono Contact: Tammie M. Pope, (803) 255-9561, tmp@nmrs.com
Richland County Guardian Ad Litem and
Lexington County Guardian Ad Litem:
Paralegals become trained, court appointed guardians for abused and/or
neglected children in the two counties around our city. There is an 18-
month commitment to do this. Contact: Tammy M. Pope, Palmetto Paralegal
Association, (803) 255-9561.
South Carolina Bar, Access to Justice Committee: Paralegals sit on
and take part in this committee; also help with fundraising for the Pro Bono
Subcommittee. Contact: Tammy M. Pope, Palmetto Paralegal Association, (803)
255-9561.
South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Clinics: Paralegals assist with
five of these public clinics per year by arranging for the place, date and
time, topic, but also for three attorneys to do a brief presentation on the
chosen topic and then have a one-on-one question time with anyone with
individual questions. Paralegals also assist with the registration and
the flow of the public in the one-on-one time. Topics have included:
Family Law issues to include domestic abuse, divorce and child custody/support;
workers' compensation; bankruptcy; wills, estates and probate; employment law;
and landlord-tenant matters. Contact: Tammy M. Pope, Palmetto Paralegal
Association, (803) 255-9561.
South Carolina Bar, Law Related Education Division: Paralegals
help as timekeepers and facilitators in our high school mock trials,
particularly at the State level. In the year 2000, the National Mock
Trials were held in
South Carolina Bar, Young Lawyers Division: Paralegals helped to
man a both at a Spring Festival celebrating Law Day
and promoting the legal profession. Contact: Tammy M. Pope, Palmetto
Paralegal Association, (803) 255-9561.
Paralegal Association of Central Ohio
Post Office Box 15182
Columbus, OH 43215-0182
Association E-mail: CentralOhio@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/CentralOhil
Pro Bono Contact: Robin Hartman, (614) 462-2211, rhartman@szd.com
Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS): Provides
services to those in legal immigration status and helps them become
self-sufficient and adjust to American life. The Somali Home School Program
helps 20 students at risk of dropping out of high school learn how to set and
reach educational goal and connects Somali parents to their children’s
education and helps students overcome barriers to remain in school until
graduation. It also recruits volunteers to serve as tutors to the students. The
acculturation/resettlement services in the Hilltop area. The program serves an
average of more than 400 clients per month. Contact: Robin Hartman, Paralegal
Association of
Paralegals also assist CRIS clients with tax or benefits issues affecting
refugees and paralegals assist CRIS clients with IRS issues and assist in the
preparation of tax returns. In addition to filing current tax returns, the
volunteers review any prior year returns to see if they can locate any
additional refund money assisting the clients take advantage of tax credits
such as the Earned Income Credit. Contact: Robin Hartman, Paralegal
Association of
Post Office
Association E-mail: Philadelphia@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.philaparalegals.com/
Pro Bono Contact: Brendan K. Taga, (215)
994-2956, brendan.taga@dechert.com
Consumer Bankruptcy Assistance Project (CBAP): Paralegals
volunteer with attorneys and law students through CBAP's
Fresh Start Clinic to provide direct, pro bono legal representation to
the indigent seeking to obtain the protection of the Bankruptcy Court.
Through the Fresh Start Clinic, CBAP trains attorneys, law students, and
paralegals who provide direct representation to our
clients in chapter 7 bankruptcy. After volunteers attend a training
clinic taught by an experienced bankruptcy practitioner, volunteers handle
their cases from the initial interview to the final discharge. Each
volunteer is teamed with an experienced supervisor or mentor. Contact:
Brendan K. Taga,
Community Service: Habitat for Humanity project where
volunteers participate in urban development, assisting in the construction of a
house to be made affordable for a family seeking shelter. Tasks range from
painting to wiring and people of all skill levels are encouraged to
participate. Assist the PA Horticultural Society Gardening Days with weeding,
an irrigation project, and other maintenance duties for the
Homeless Advocacy Project: The Philadelphia Bar Association's
Homeless Advocacy Project's mission is to provide free legal services through
volunteers to homeless people, and to non-profit community groups developing
affordable housing and other services for the homeless. The volunteers
conduct intake interviews, follow-up and arrange attorney assistance and inform
parents of children's benefits. Contact: Brendan K. Taga,
Youth Aid Panels (Office of the District Attorney of Philadelphia):
Program utilizes adult neighborhood volunteers to serve on Youth Aid Panels who
are willing to give their time to point first-time juvenile offenders away from
the criminal justice system and toward more productive life choices. Each
Youth Aid Panel is made up of community volunteers who are extensively trained
by the District Attorney's Office. Twenty seven panels operate
neighborhoods throughout in the city. Contact: Brendan K. Taga,
Women Against Abuse: Largest and most comprehensive domestic violence
program in
Post Office
Association E-mail: Pittsburgh@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.pghparalegals.org/site/index2.html
Pro Bono Contact: Fay Luther, (412) 234-514, luther.f@mellon.com
Community Service: The Pittsburgh Paralegal Association's (PPA) Pro
Bono Committee and the Environmental Specialty Section worked together to
assist the “Spring-Fling” Clean-up. River Sweep is a program sponsored by
the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection conducting an annual
drive, every spring, to clean up the local rivers, streams and waterways. This
is a statewide program involving all counties across the state of
Peoples' Law Clinic: Paralegals prepare intake forms, complete
conflict checks, and financial eligibility assessments for indigent clients in
connection with divorce, custody or support matters. Contact: Fay Luther,
Pro Se Petitioners Program: Paralegals interview pro se
petitioners to determine if an individual is financially eligible for pro
bono representation and to assist the petitioner with completion of a
questionnaire to determine client needs before being seen by an attorney.
Contact: Fay Luther,
Protection From Abuse Program: Paralegals
conduct initial client interviews and prepare a Petition or Preliminary Order
to help individuals obtain a temporary Protection from Abuse order.
Contact: Fay Luther,
Post Office
Association E-mail: RhodeIsland@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/RhodeIsland/home.html
Pro Bono Contact: Mary L. Riley, (401) 434-7762, Mlriley807@aol.com
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA): Court Appointed Special
Advocate program. Contact: Mary Riley,
Volunteer Lawyer Program of
Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association
Post Office Box 481864
Denver, CO 80248-1834
Association E-mail: RockyMountain@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.rockymtnparalegal.org/
Pro Bono Contacts: Janet Price, (303) 866-0119, jprice@bmwllc.com; Mary Shaw, (303)
592-4506, ms@timminslaw.com
Sponsors: “Wills on Wheels” Mary Ellen Burdick-Felling, (303) 443-8010 and
Beth Wilkins, (303) 758-5003
Children's Legal Clinic: Paralegals help with case research and
general office assistance representing abused or neglected children in juvenile
courts. Contacts: Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association,
Janet Price, (303) 866-0119; Mary Shaw, (303) 592-4506.
Court Appointed Special Advocate Program: Paralegals assist
attorneys with representation of abused or neglected children. Contacts: Rocky
Mountain Paralegal Association, Janet Price,
(303) 866-0119; Mary Shaw, (303) 592-4506.
Faculty of Federal Advocates Pro Bono Mentoring Project:
This program pairs lawyers less experienced in federal court matters (mentees) with senior mentor attorneys who are more
experienced in federal court. The mentees
are then appointed to a pro se civil case that is sufficiently
complicated to warrant the appointment. Most cases involve claims under
42 U.S.C.§1983 and are filed by incarcerated
individuals. Members of the Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association are
assigned pro se cases and are asked to prepare a summary of the
case. If warranted the case is then assigned to a mentee
attorney. At the request of the mentee
attorney, the paralegals will also assist with trial preparation.
Contacts: Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association, Janet
Price, (303) 866-0119; Mary Shaw, (303) 592-4506.
Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan
Pro Se Dissolution of Marriage Clinics: Paralegals assist
in teaching groups of clients the process of pro se representation.
Contacts: Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association, Janet
Price, (303) 866-0119; Mary Shaw, (303) 592-4506.
Small
Wills-on-Wheels: In this paralegal association-sponsored program,
paralegals and volunteer attorneys prepare wills and living wills for senior
citizens with modest uncomplicated estates. Contacts: Rocky Mountain
Paralegal Association, Janet Price, (303)
866-0119; Mary Shaw, (303) 592-4506.
Post Office Box 453
Association E-mail: svpa@svpa.org
Web Site: http://www.svpa.org/
Pro Bono Contact: Lacian Henderson, (916)
321-4500, lacian@jps.net
Voluntary Legal Services Program:
Paralegals assist in providing intake for indigent clients requiring legal
assistance, work on cases with attorneys, and assist in developing legal
clinics. Members also serve on specialty panels developed by the program to
assist populations such as the Homeless, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Refugees,
AIDS Victims, Elders, Children, Veterans and the Family Law Advisory
Committee. Contact Lacian Henderson,
San Francisco Paralegal Association
Post Office Box 2110
San Francisco, CA 94126-2110
Association E-mail: SanFrancisco@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.sfpa.com/
AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP): Paralegals
assist ALRP to protect and advance the rights of individuals with HIV. The
following opportunities are offered through ALRP: (1)Insurance Benefits
Workshop (Thursday evenings): Paralegals utilized to assist attorneys in
completing insurance benefits forms and documents; (2) On-Call Assistance:
Paralegals utilized on an "on-call" basis to assist attorneys with
various projects that may be available. Flexible hours; and (3) Follow-up
Assistance: Paralegals utilized to follow-up with clients who have been placed
with volunteer attorneys. Flexible hours. Contact
Philip Kuttner, Volunteer Coordinator, (415) 248-3972.
Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights and
Services (CIRRS): CIRRS utilizes volunteers to help register
new citizens to vote, facilitate a training on changes
in housing regulations, write grant proposals for developing the programs and
to work with many other projects and internships. Contact: Carol Hurtado, Program Director, (415) 243-8215 ext. 329.
Domestic Violence Unit: The District
Attorney's office utilizes paralegal volunteers for their Domestic Violence
Unit, Victim Witness Program and Special Emphasis Unit (Bayview/Hunter's
Point based-project). Contact: Debbie Arthur, (415) 553-1865.
The Volunteer Legal Services Program (VLSP):
VLSP utilizes paralegals to provide critical services to low-income and
indigent residents of
Post Office Box 355
Haddonfield, NJ 08033
Association E-mail: mailto:SouthJersey@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/SouthJersey/home.html
Pro Bono Contact: Eileen A. Palazza, (732)
255-7915, EileenP@litenet.net
Post Office
Association E-mail: TampaBay@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.tbpa.org/
Pro Bono Contact: Holley Brennan, (813) 258-5838, holleybrennan@hotmail.com
Bay Area Legal Services: Tampa Bay Paralegal Association, Inc.
stands by on a volunteer basis for Bay Area Legal Services, which supplies
legal services to low income persons. Contact: Holley Brennan,
Baycare Mental Health: Tampa Bay
Paralegal Association, Inc. supports Baycare Mental
Health, an association dedicated to providing services to the homeless
population and persons with mental disabilities or drug and
alcohol addictions. Contact: Holley Brennan,
Charity of the Month: The Tampa Bay Paralegal Association
determines a different charity to focus on every month. March 2003: The charity
for the month of March was The Children's
Children's
Harvest Cafe: Members volunteer at the Harvest Cafe, a cafe
that provides free meals for homeless and underprivileged persons.
Contact: Holley Brennan,
Helping the Homeless: Tampa Bay Paralegal Association, Inc.
provides support to homeless persons in
Metropolitan Ministries: Tampa Bay Paralegal Association, Inc. supports
Metropolitan Ministries, an organization that helps the homeless population,
persons with mental and physical disabilities and persons who are needy.
Contact: Holley Brennan,
Salvation Army: Tampa Bay Paralegal Association, Inc. supports the
Salvation Army in its effort to help the homeless, persons with addictions and
persons who are needy. Contact: Holley Brennan,
The Children's Home: Tampa Bay Paralegal Association, Inc.
supports The Children's Home, a home for underprivileged children who do not
have families or who, for some reason, cannot reside with their families.
Contact: Holley Brennan,
The Spring: Tampa Bay Paralegal
Association, Inc. supports The Spring, a domestic violence program that
provides specialized services for every family member. Contact: Holley Brennan,
Toys for Tots:
Post Office Box 207, Niagara Square Station
Buffalo, NY 14202
Association E-mail: WesternNewYork@paralegals.org
Web Site: http://www.paralegals.org/WesternNewYork/home.html
Pro Bono Contact: Catherine West Lefko, (716)
633-4300, catherinelefko@yahoo.com
Homeless Shelter Project - Task Force on Human
Rights: Paralegals assist provide legal services to area homeless shelters.
Contact: Catherine West Lefko,
Volunteer Court Advocates - Crisis Services,
Inc.: Paralegals accompany victims of rape and sexual assault through the
court system and act as liaisons between the District Attorney's Office and
witnesses, when necessary. Volunteers also follow up with the witness to
provide linkage to counseling and other needed services. Contact: Catherine
West Lefko,
Revised by: Lori Thompson, Pro Bono Co-Coordinator: