For almost four decades, the Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP) has offered civil legal aid to low-income and vulnerable members of the communities served by Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc. The VLP enlists the private bar to provide pro-bono legal services to those who seek assistance with a civil legal problem and are unable to afford it.
When you join the effort to provide equal access to justice by volunteering your time at SALA, you are directly improving the lives of those in our community and upholding the promise of our profession. Legal needs studies consistently report that legal aid programs serve only one person out of every five who need civil legal assistance.
Your volunteer support to SALA helps families in crisis return to safe, productive lives. Your time, talent, resources, and personal touch can make all the difference in the lives of vulnerable community members who have nowhere else to turn for civil legal help. Read the latest news about our wonderful volunteers.
Volunteer today with one of the options below!
Thank you to everyone who attended our
2023 VLP Volunteer Appreciation Celebration
and made it such a special day.
October 25, 2023
Hacienda Del Sol
An extra nod of appreciation to our sponsors!
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Volunteer Opportunities for Attorneys
Why Volunteer
We invite you to join the indispensable community of volunteer attorneys who help SALA broaden access to those who need civil legal services. Here are some of the reasons attorneys volunteer: to give back to the community by helping people who cannot afford an attorney; CLE credit; training in additional areas of law; malpractice insurance coverage; period case follow-up done by SALA staff; collegial support; SALA covers case costs; administrative and translation support; client relationship management provided by SALA staff; mentoring law students.
Opportunities to Volunteer
Domestic Relations ClassProvide basic information on divorce with children, divorce without children, and paternity and the court process. Open to the general public!
Domestic Relations Follow-Up ClinicsProvide one-on-one advice to clients on family law issues, assist in trial preparation, and assist with forms.
Self Service Center ProjectMeet with pro se litigants at the Pima County Superior Court Law Library (currently virtually) and provide one-on-one advice to clients on family law issues, assist in trial preparation, and assist with forms.
Minor Guardianship ProjectThis project provides assistance to family members requesting a minor guardianship in probate court. The project starts with informational classes providing forms at KARE Family Center. Clients proceed to one-on-one clinics at SALA providing one-on-one advice to clients, and assisting in trial preparation.
Advice-Only Clinics
Provide one-on-one advice to clients on issues including bankruptcy, debt, adult guardianship, and employment law.
Bankruptcy Re-Affirmation ClinicServe the court and unrepresented clients at their reaffirmation hearings in Bankruptcy Court.
For Paralegals
Why Volunteer
Use your skills to broaden access to those who need civil legal services and help educate the community on legal topics. Here are some of the reasons why paralegals volunteer: to give back to the community by helping people who cannot afford legal services; enjoy teaching; some enjoy doing work that is different from their everyday paralegal role.
Opportunities to Volunteer
Teaching classes: Divorce & Paternity; Minor Guardianship Administrative Support Work
For Law Students
Why Volunteer
Obtain valuable legal and courtroom experience. Help clients who have nowhere else to turn, all while you are still a student. Here are some of the reasons law students volunteer: earning school credit doing real world legal work; playing an important role in the delivery of legal aid services; gaining a reference for future employment; meeting a variety of legal professionals; standout to employers by demonstrating a commitment to community service.
Opportunities to Volunteer
Work under an attorney to provide legal services to clients. Teaching classes: Divorce & Paternity; Minor Guardianship. Legal research and some drafting assignments. Rule 38 eligible students may be able to do Order of Protection hearings, Minor Guardianship hearings, and Bankruptcy Reaffirmation hearings under supervision.
For Undergrads, Administrative Professionals, Other Legal Professionals & Support Services
Volunteer opportunities might include translation, interpretation, administrative assistance, court reporting, investigations, communications, and fundraising. If you are interested in volunteering, email us your cover letter and resume to salahr@sazlegalaid.org
