Volunteer Lawyers Program

Volunteer Lawyers Program - a partnership with The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
Volunteers are needed to participate in new clinic programs providing pro bono legal service to poor and low-income individuals in our community. Volunteers provide brief advice, representation or serve as practice-area mentors to participating lawyers. Training, resources and mentors are available to all volunteers. Malpractice insurance coverage is also available through Legal Aid's volunteer policy. To request more information on the Volunteers Lawyers Program, click here.

• Brief Advice & Referral Clinics Volunteers provide brief advice and information on civil legal matters to individuals at neighborhood sites on Saturday mornings. Individuals are directed to the clinics from legal service providers, social service agencies, community organizations and the courts. The clinic provides drop-in 'first come, first served' service. Current sites include St. Martin DePorres Family Center at E. 123rd and Superior Avenue (last Saturday of the month) and West Side Catholic Center, 3135 Lorain Avenue (first Saturday of the month).
• Law Firm Clinics Law firms volunteer to provide representation to clients, who have been prescreened for financial eligibility, legal issues and case merit. The legal matters involve general civil issues including landlord-tenant, real estate, probate, consumer, debtor-creditor, family law, public benefits and tort defense. The clinics are held once a month, the last Wednesday of each month, in the evening at the Legal Aid offices. Law firm volunteers conduct initial client meetings at scheduled appointments at the evening clinics. Click here for information on volunteering for Law Firm Clinics.
• Direct Representation Panel (Replaces the former CASE program) Volunteers are needed to participate on a pro bono representation panel for cases referred by Legal Aid and other legal service providers. Volunteers are asked to commit to handling 2-3 matters per year. Cases involve a range of civil legal matters, including housing, landlord-tenant, real estate, probate, consumer, debtor-creditor, family law, public benefits, tax and tort defense.