Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer

CCLS is an equal opportunity employer

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

We have volunteer opportunities for attorneys, paralegals, law students, paralegal students, and non-attorney positions.

The Pro Bono Program recruits and supports the work of volunteers who provide pro bono legal assistance to low-income individuals and families in Central California. The Pro Bono Program provides volunteers with training, mentoring, case management, and other support to facilitate their delivery of free legal services. Learn more about how you can make a difference and advance justice in our communities – join today!

Attorneys who are not engaged in law practice requiring active license status can provide pro bono legal services through the State Bar’s Pro Bono Practice Program.  Attorneys enrolled in the program retain active status without payment of bar fees if they do not engage in other activities requiring active license status during a calendar year.  This is a wonderful opportunity for attorneys who are not currently practicing to use their expertise to serve clients in need and to keep their legal skills sharp.  For eligibility details and application, visit State Bar Pro Bono Practice Program.

Why

Central California Legal Services?

For over 50 years, Central California Legal Services (CCLS) has been providing free civil legal services to low-income individuals in Fresno, Tulare, Kings, Merced, Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties—a region where intense poverty exists side by side with unparalleled wealth and abundance.

We work to improve the wellbeing of the San Joaquin Valley’s most vulnerable residents through systems-changing advocacy, client education, and legal work that meets individual clients’ immediate needs. We also work closely with agencies and community organizations that share our commitment to support our clients in being their own agents of change.

**Due to limited staff and resources at the moment, CCLS may not have volunteer opportunities available.**

For Attorneys, Paralegals, Law Students, and Paralegal Students

Pro Bono Opportunities

Secure Guardians for Vulnerable Children

Case | In-person | Attorneys | 20 to 50 hours

Attorneys needed to undertake full-scope representation of clients seeking guardianship of minor children. Generally, clients are grandparents or family members seeking to secure guardianship of children they are already raising.

Opportunity City: Generally, courts in Fresno, Visalia, Merced, and Hanford

Expertise Required: Experience with in-court representation of clients in guardianship proceedings is required.

EXPRESS INTEREST
Pro Bono Contact Form

Unlawful Detainer Clinics - Tenant and Landlord

Clinic | In-person | All volunteers | Under 5 hours

Both landlords and tenants can benefit from our housing team’s unlawful detainer clinics. Clinics provide opportunities for pro bono attorneys or other legal services volunteers to provide answers to common questions regarding evictions, court processes, legal rights for both tenants and landlords, and what forms to complete to file a case or to respond to a case that has been filed.

Opportunity City: Fresno and Tulare

Expertise Required: CCLS provides needed training. Housing or civil litigation experience helpful, but not required.

EXPRESS INTEREST
Pro Bono Contact Form

Workers' Rights Clinic

Clinic | Remote | All volunteers | Under 5 hours

Under the supervision of employment law attorneys, volunteer attorneys and law students can provide free legal information to low-wage workers in the Central Valley to assist local workers with unemployment compensation filings and appeals, minimum wage and overtime violations, failure to pay for work performed, refusal to grant meal and rest breaks, workplace discrimination based upon race, national origin, gender, pregnancy, disability, language, proficiency, and immigration status.

Volunteer interpreters are appreciated, particularly Spanish speakers. A quarterly training is provided for prospective volunteers.

This monthly clinic is held remotely, but in-person opportunities are anticipated to resume.

Opportunity City: Fresno

Expertise Required: CCLS provides training and supervision by experienced employment lawyers. Employment law experience is helpful.

EXPRESS INTEREST
Pro Bono Contact Form

In-Court Representation of Domestic Violence Survivors for Permanent Restraining

Case | In-person | Attorneys | 20 to 50 hours

Pro Bono Attorneys represent CCLS clients in obtaining permanent restraining orders for domestic violence survivors. In this limited scope representation, Pro Bono Attorneys prepare for the evidentiary hearing, interview the client and witnesses, file supplemental pleadings if needed, and represent the survivor at that hearing in court. Clients typically have an existing Temporary Restraining Order or an Emergency Protective Order. Trainings for Project First Step volunteers is offered at least twice yearly.

Domestic violence survivors who are represented in court at their permanent restraining order hearings are more likely to appear for their hearings and are more likely to obtain needed orders. In addition, survivors who are represented in court at their hearings are less likely to be the victim of further violence.

Opportunity City: Courts generally in Fresno, Visalia, Hanford, and Merced

Expertise Required: CCLS provides advance training and on-going support. Experience in family law, restraining orders, or in-court appearances helpful.

EXPRESS INTEREST
Pro Bono Contact Form

Guardianship Clinics

Clinic | In-person and remote | All volunteers | Under 5 hours

Our family law team assists people seeking guardianship of a minor child. Pro bono attorneys, paralegals, or other legal services volunteers at clinics explain the court documents required, answer participant questions, and prepare the petitioners for what will happen in their court appearance. Most of the participants at this clinic, which is held both virtually and in-person at the CCLS Fresno office, are grandparents or other family members seeking guardianship of children they are already raising.

Opportunity City: Fresno

Expertise Required: CCLS will offer advance training needed. Experience in guardianship proceedings is helpful.

EXPRESS INTEREST
Pro Bono Contact Form

Free

Upcoming MCLE Events

Open to volunteers and others

Frequently Asked Questions

What insurance coverage do I receive?

Any pro bono legal work provided by volunteers to CCLS or its clients is covered by CCLS’ malpractice insurance policy.  CCLS’ policy is deemed the primary coverage even if the volunteer has malpractice coverage, under our pro bono rider.

What career advancement opportunities will there be?

Volunteers may hone courtroom skills, develop expertise in new areas of the law, and gain experience interviewing clients and investigating facts. In addition, CCLS provides training to volunteers, as needed, on a one-to-one basis and through our year-round free MCLE trainings.  Volunteers receive recognition in CCLS media and in the community through CCLS’ communications networks.  Finally, volunteers have opportunities to network with other professionals at CCLS client events and volunteer trainings and appreciation events.

What about MCLE?

CCLS provides year-round MCLE trainings in a variety of topics, including restraining orders, ethics, elimination of bias, unlawful detainer, guardianship, and immigration topics.  CCLS’ MCLE programs are provided both in person and by webinar and are always free of charge.

Will court reporting fees be reimbursed?

Clients placed with pro bono attorneys must meet CCLS’ income requirements, generally.  Therefore, these clients are often eligible for fee waivers.  In addition, court reporting fees may be reimbursed through the Court Reporters Board’s Transcript Reimbursement Fund for pro bono counsel.  Depending on the terms of the retainer agreement, the client may also remain responsible for costs.

What impact will I have?

Pro bono service for CCLS’ clients has a ripple effect – for the clients, for CCLS, and for the community.  Domestic violence survivors with a lawyer are far less likely to fail to appear at the hearing to obtain a permanent restraining order.  They are more likely to prevail and obtain necessary orders for themselves and their children.  In addition, they are less likely to be victimized in the future.  Tenants with a defense to an eviction proceeding are more likely to prevail when represented.  A volunteer who provides pro bono eviction defense services helps keep families housed instead of on the streets or in their cars.  Pro bono services in public benefits and veterans’ disability matters also help clients avoid becoming homeless.  Obtaining a guardianship for grandparents raising grandchildren helps children be secure and safe.  In addition, when volunteers assist at clinics or by taking cases, CCLS serves more clients, and CCLS’ advocates have increased capacity to undertake representation of complicated cases.  The community benefits when clients are housed, when families have stable income, and when children are safe.

What is my obligation?

Volunteers choose the type of opportunity that works best for them, whether a full case or a morning at a clinic.  Of course, attorneys are subject to applicable ethical rules.

Our Services

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