Needs From: Volunteer United

JustCause is back in-person at the Federal Court for our Pro Se Assistance Program, and we are lucky to be staffed by Bradon Carlson, a pro bono scholar from Syracuse University School of Law.  We will be in person on Wednesdays through May 22nd.  JustCause is looking for volunteers to advise clients for these in-person PSAP clinics.  

We are using Sign-Up Genius for scheduling at PSAP.  This will allow for real-time updates to ensure times fit into your schedule!  You can find the sign-up here: JustCause: Federal Court Pro Se Assistance Program (signupgenius.com) . The dates that we are seeking volunteers are all Wednesdays.  We are seeking volunteers for:

Wednesday, 4/3/2024 Wednesday, 4/10/2024 Wednesday, 4/17/2024 Wednesday, 4/24/2024 Wednesday, 5/1/2024 Wednesday, 5/8/2024 Wednesday, 5/15/2024 Wednesday, 5/22/2024

The Pro Se Assistance Program is held on the 2nd Floor of the Federal Courthouse, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

CLE:  Time spent advising JustCause clients at our clinics and accepting JustCause cases is eligible for CLE Credit.

Thank you for volunteering! 

The 7th Judicial District Court Help Center was established in 2013 as part of the New York State Unified Court System's Access to Justice Initiative. In collaboration with the Court, JustCause staff and Pro bono Attorneys provide forms and procedural information to unrepresented litigants to assist in navigating the court system.

 

The Help Center does not provide legal advice.  Law librarians and JustCause staff are onsite to assist as needed.

 

Current shifts are:

Monday 10am-1pm

Monday 2:30pm-4:30pm

Tuesday 10am-1pm

Wednesday 10am-1pm

Friday 10am-1pm

 

Skills: Customer service; brief legal information; non-attorneys welcome to apply

Tasks: Referrals; Research; Legal Assistance

 

*some opportunities require intermediate skills

Supported by a staff attorney and paralegal, volunteer attorneys in the Consumer and Housing Unit may assist clients with the following issues:

mortgage foreclosure,  bankruptcy,  debt collection,  unemployment benefits, tax foreclosure,  probate, and  transgender name change

 

Volunteers may also present or provide brief service at a monthly debt clinic.  

 

Skills: Customer service, writing; advice; presentation skills (to clients for debt clinic)

tasks: Client intake, clinic matters, town and village court, record keeping, data entry, referrals, drafting documents

 

Virtual opportunities: remote bankruptcy screenings; remote federal court pro se assistance cases.  These are advice-only cases where volunteers provide advice to pro se litigants in Federal Court answering questions about their cases and next steps. Additionally, foreclosure settlement conferences are remote.

 

Health Unit - Wills, Powers of Attorney, Advanced Directives

Assist people living with HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ persons, older adults and the disabled, specifically with preparing wills, powers of attorney, and health care proxies.  

 

Skills: Client interviewing; drafting

Tasks: Prepare memos, letters and documents; prepare case files for referral, outreach, intake

 

 

Volunteer attorneys may represent clients in domestic violence divorces and other related family law matters such as support and custody, and may  assist with brief service clinic matters in determining the feasibility of filing Family Court custody or visitation petition.

 

Skills: Client interviewing; courtroom skills; drafting; negotiation

Tasks: Intake, case assessment, petitions

 

Virtual opportunities: custody clinic is one that often can be managed virtually, providing on-on-one consultations with a pro bono volunteer or staff attorney

 

 

Volunteers are needed to assist clients facing eviction, both in and outside of court.  Specifically, volunteers in TDP may provide brief service to clients facing eviction or represent clients in various town and village courts in Monroe County, including Irondequoit and Brighton Town Courts.  

 

Skills: Courtroom skills; settlement negotiation; client interviewing

 

Virtual opportunities: advice-only cases where volunteers provide advice to clients after we have completed their intake.

Supported by a staff attorney and paralegal, volunteer attorneys in the Immigration Unit may assist clients with the following issues:

Asylum  TPS Motions to Change Venue Adjustment of Status EAD’s Green Cards Citizenship/Naturalization

Volunteers may also present as a panelist for CLE trainings, or provide brief service at a quarterly immigration clinic. 

 

Skills: Client interviewing, research, knowledge of the immigration system

 

Virtual opportunities: Creating briefs for cases or updates on country conditions.