RAPPAPORT CENTER FOR LAW & PUBLIC SERVICE
PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES

Suffolk University Law School encourages students to participate in law-related pro bono activities and offers a variety of pro bono opportunities for all students. While the Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service is continually working to expand pro bono opportunities, there are a number of pro bono placements currently available. Students interested in pursuing pro bono work should contact Michelle Harper, Director of Public Interest and Pro Bono Programs, for more information and assistance obtaining pro bono placement with Boston-area agencies.

The following agencies and projects may have available pro bono opportunities for Suffolk University Law students. For additional information about placement or to obtain pro bono work with other agencies in the Boston area, please contact Michelle Harper, Director of Public Interest and Pro Bono Programs. 

Boston Area Rape Crisis Center Legal Advocacy Program

BARCC’s Legal Advocacy Program provides brief consultations, advocacy, and legal referrals to sexual assault survivors.A legal advocate’s assistance to a survivor may range from a brief legal consultation on civil and criminal justice issues to comprehensive support and advocacy for criminal justice, housing, disability, and victim compensation issues.For additional information regarding volunteer opportunities, contact Stephanie DeCandia at sdecandia@barcc.org.

Boston Bar Association Bankruptcy Section Pro Bono Project

The BBA’s Bankruptcy Section Pro Bono Project is seeking a second or third year law student volunteer to assist in all aspects of the work of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Clerk’s Office and to facilitate the Court’s Reaffirmation Clinic for pro se debtors during the Summer 2008.To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to Paul Dullea, Director of Community Affairs, Boston Bar Association, 16 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108 or by email at pdullea@bostonbar.org.For additional information contact Michelle Harper at mharper@suffolk.edu.

BBA Family Law Section Pro Bono Project

The Boston Bar Association Family Law Section seeks a law student volunteer for the Spring semester to help administer a new project in which attorneys provide limited representation assistance to pro se parties appearing in probate and family court.  This unpaid position would require the student to be available at the court on Friday mornings and to assist in general administration of the program beyond the courtroom day.  For more information contact Michelle Harper at mharper@suffolk.edu. 

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) Legal Infoline

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), New England’s leading legal rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status, and gender identity and expression, seeks committed volunteers to staff its Legal InfoLine! Be trained in GLBT/HIV civil rights legal issues. No prior legal experience is needed. Register now for the next training, April 8 & 10 (5:30-9:30pm) and April 12 (9am-5pm). Volunteer one weekday afternoon a week from 1:30-4:30pm helping people who have experienced discrimination by providing legal information that can make a real difference in their lives! For more information, contact Michelle Harper at mharper@suffolk.edu.

GI Rights Hotline

For over 13 years, the GI Rights Hotline has helped members of the military learn about and stand up for their rights, obtain discharges, and resolve their AWOL status. Last year, nationwide, Hotline volunteers fielded 40,000 phone calls. Become a GI Rights Advocate and support the troops who need information on their rights. The GI Rights Hotline will be hosting an Advocacy Training on Saturday March 29, 2008, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the AFSC, 2161 Mass. Ave., (corner of Milton & Mass. Ave.) Cambridge, MA 02140. After the initial training, advocates will be paired with more experienced counselors and begin to respond to calls to a voice mail box, and meet with other volunteer counselors every 6 weeks or so to strategize and support each other. For more information email Michelle Harper at mharper@suffolk.edu.

Juvenile Justice Center

The Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) is seeking student volunteers to assist with short- and long-term projects involving public policy analysis and advocacy. Part of the Clinical Department of Suffolk Law School, the JJC provides representation for children in the juvenile court system, using a multi-disciplinary approach that includes supportive social services and education advocacy. The JJC also monitors and actively advocates on state policies that affect how youth are sent to court and the consequences of their court involvement.Depending on the type of project and the number of hours worked, students may be eligible to earn credit for their work.For more information contact Michelle Harper at mharper@suffolk.edu.

Legal Advocacy and Resource Center

The Legal Advocacy Resource Center (LARC) is seeking student volunteers to answer hotline calls from low-income Massachusetts residents seeking information and assistance in the areas of bankruptcy, foreclosure and social security.Volunteers will be trained to handle calls on a particular issue or the entire range of issues handled by the hotline, depending on the volunteer’s background, interest and availability.Volunteering on the hotline is a great way to learn about legal issues, while working directly with clients.LARC provides training, materials and ongoing supervision.A minimum commitment of 4 hours per week for a full semester is required.For additional information, contact Michelle Harper at mharper@suffolk.edu.

MA Attorney General's Office - Elder Hotline Volunteer Project

The Elder Hotline provides information, referral, and mediation services to Massachusetts elders.Volunteer staff handle a varied caseload that may include complaints related to debt and debt collection, health care business and products, home improvement contractors, telemarketing, lottery scams and more.Volunteers are expected to work one full day or two half days each week (totaling 7 hours in either option) and to attend training sessions.For more information contact Michelle Harper at mharper@suffolk.edu.

Massachusetts Transgender Legal Advocates

Massachusetts Transgender Legal Advocates (MTLA) is committed to the provision of legal services at no cost to low-income transgender and gender variant individuals. MTLA is an independent organization supported by TransCEND, a program of Cambridge Cares About AIDS; AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts; and the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition. Advocates are law students and lawyers who provide services on a voluntary basis.  MTLA is currently seeking applications for new Advocates to join our team! Interested law students should submit an application and resume to transgenderlegaladvocates@gmail.com no later than April 1, 2008. Applicants should also be familiar with the MTLA Advocate Agreement form. If you have any questions about MTLA or the application process, please contact transgenderlegaladvocates@gmail.com. New Advocates who are invited to join MTLA must be available to attend a training on Saturday, April 26.

Middlesex DA's Office Domestic Violence Unit

The Middlesex District Attorney's Office Domestic Violence Unit investigates and prosecutes domestic violence cases and works with local police, community partners, and victim service organizations to engage in domestic violence prevention and intervention efforts. The Chief of the DV Unit needs student volunteers during the academic year to work directly with her in the Middlesex Superior Court (to be located in Woburn, MA in March 2008) on research projects, motion drafting, and case investigation and preparation. Students with 3:03 certification are also needed in district court cases to assist with DV victim meeting coordination, witness interviews or other case investigation and preparation, and possible in-court representation. Both placements offer students invaluable court observation opportunities and first-hand experience in the District Attorney’s office. For more information contact Michelle Harper at mharper@suffolk.edu.

National Lawyers Guild – Street Law Clinic Project

The Street Law Clinic Project sponsored by the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild provides clinics on various legal topics for non-lawyers with the goal of empowering participants by teaching them about their legal rights.  Clinics are conducted by law students with back-up by lawyers. They take place in community centers, churches, high schools, homeless shelters, union halls, and pre-release centers. The workshops are interactive, with participants figuring out how to deal with real-life situations, and usually last about two hours.  Currently, Street Law Clinics are offered in the following areas:  Stop and Search Clinic, Tenants' Rights Clinic, Workers' Rights Clinic, and Immigration Law Clinic.  For more information and to participate in the Street Law Clinic Project call (617) 723-4330.

New Orleans Legal Assistance Project

The New Orleans Legal Assistance Project (NOLAP) is a project involving Boston Area Law Schools, Law Firms and local Bar Associations to provide ongoing legal assistance to current and former residents of the Greater New Orleans area.For additional information regarding the project, mandatory training, and time commitment, contact Michelle Harper at mharper@suffolk.edu.

Political Asylum/Immigration Representation (PAIR) Project

The Political Asylum/Immigration Representation (PAIR) Project is the core provider of pro bono legal services to indigent asylum-seekers in Massachusetts. The PAIR Project is seeking Spanish or Portuguese speaking law student volunteers to serve as interpreters in PAIR's New Bedford Response program.For more information please contact Michelle Harper at mharper@suffolk.edu.

Senior Partners for Justice Family Court Pro Bono Program

Senior Partners for Justice Family Court Pro Bono program places students in Suffolk, Middlesex and Norfolk Probate and Family Courts to work with courthouse staff on projects such as assisting unrepresented litigants.  Students must commit one full day or two half days (preferably mornings) to this internship for a full semester.  This is a terrific opportunity for students of all levels, particularly those with an interest in family law.  For more information, contact Michelle Harper at mharper@suffolk.edu.

Victim Rights Law Center

Founded as the first law center in the nation dedicated solely to serving the legal needs of sexual assault victims, the Victim Rights Law Center’s (VRLC) mission is to ensure that every sexual assault victim has an attorney and the most effective legal remedies available.The VRLC offers a variety of legal volunteer opportunities available to law students depending on interest and experience, including: client service work, legal research, and other specialized projects.For additional information regarding volunteering for the VRLC, contact Katie Reardon at kreardon@victimrights.org.