The goal of the program is to furnish attorneys in Onondaga County an opportunity to provide pro bono legal services through a clinic setting, thus enabling them to schedule a specific block of time to perform specific services, to hone their skills in a specialty area or to develop new skills in new areas of law. The program also allows attorneys to fulfill the provisions of Canon 2 of the "Professional Code of Ethics" through their contribution in providing equal access to justice to people who cannot afford to pay an attorney.

The Bar Association's Pro Bono Practice Committee serves as a resource for the non-lawyer Coordinator and oversees the activities of the project. Each clinic is supported by an advisory committee consisting of three attorneys with expertise in the respective area of law.

What Is the Time Commitment? In seeking to recruit volunteer attorneys, the VLP has established an average goal of 10 hours per attorney for a one-year period. By staffing clinics, attorneys can fulfill their pro bono commitment by scheduling specific times to serve rather than committing to a case requiring an undetermined length of time to complete.

Training and Support. Throughout the year, the VLP, in conjunction with the OCBA Continuing Legal Education (CLE), sponsors training events in areas of law involving our clinics. These are free to attorneys who agree to participate in the respective clinics.

What Can You Do to Help? You can participate in various legal clinics, listed below, which will be held throughout the year. Seven clinics are currently active through the VLP, and the Consumer Law Clinic is coordinated by Legal Services of Central New York, Inc.

PROJECTS AND CLINICS

Eviction Defense Clinic (Landlord/Tenant Court): Offers attorneys a chance to represent tenants in eviction proceedings on a periodic basis. Landlord/Tenant Court occurs every day and requires approximately 2 hours of attorney time daily. Through training and representation, attorneys gain practical knowledge of the housing world which they can apply to not only their Landlord/Tenant Court experience but also to their private practices.

This is a perfect place to master such techniques as gaining a thorough understanding of the issues, quick but precise thinking, and a pro-active, win-win mentality, all while helping those who need it most."

Will Clinics: In most circumstances, attorneys are given an opportunity to participate in a clinic at a senior citizens’ center or at the Bar Association assisting in the preparation of simple wills, health care proxies, and general powers of attorney. From these volunteers, we occasionally request that an attorney go to the home of a homebound person to assist with preparation of same. In this way, attorneys are able to diversify their contributions, and schedule around other appointments. Decision Making Day volunteers come from this pool.

Enhanced Tel-Law: Attorneys can respond to live telephone callers’ questions and/or refer them to the right resources for help. Resources include human service agencies, Lawyer Referral, Legal Aid, Legal Services, VLP. The attorney schedules a 3-hour block of time to answer callers’ questions at the Bar Association, and this gives them an opportunity to reach outside their ordinary areas of practice by handling calls as they come in.

Pro Se Divorce Workshop: This has been a much-needed resource for people living at or below 125% of the poverty level. Through orientation, participants learn what they must have in place before they can file a pro se divorce. They utilize a worksheet to determine the language of their grounds and to gather all necessary information to proceed with the workshops. Our goal is to serve 25 people at each workshop, although many more will be attending each orientation. We have obtained the enthusiastic buy-in of both the Supreme Court Clerk and the County Clerk for this worthwhile community project. Click for access to the recently updated (5/99) new Pro Se Divorce Forms.

Not-for-Profit Incorporation: This Project aligns corporate attorneys with individuals who wish to establish 501(c)(3) corporations that provide services for poor people. Throughout New York state, thousands of nonprofit groups are working to improve the quality of life of poor individuals and enrich low-income communities by providing affordable childcare, developing affordable housing, stimulating economic development in low-income neighborhoods, sponsoring job training programs for persons seeking to move from welfare to sustained employment, and providing other vital human services. Pro bono legal assistance to nonprofits overcomes the perception that all pro bono work is litigious, because the work is manageable and predictable in terms of time and duration, and also draws on the skills and interests of corporate and commercial lawyers. Mentors are available.

Legal Preparedness for the Activated Service Person: Volunteer attorneys prepare simple wills, health care proxies and/or general powers of attorney for local reserve military personnel at risk of being deployed to the Middle East.

Westcott Community Center Neighborhood Project: Takes place weekly on Thursday evenings from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. An attorney provides the opportunity for a private interview for walk-ins, sorts through problems, offers limited advice, and refers consumers to the appropriate legal or social agency. For consumers, participation is as anonymous as they wish.

Thanks to the New York State Bar Foundation, the VLP has a grant to expand this project to two additional locations by year end.  A training and evaluation session will take place Wednesday, July 24, 2002, at 5:30 p.m. at Westcott Community Center.  Current volunteers and anyone interested in this program are welcome to attend.  Click here for details.

Consumer Law Clinic: Attorney agrees to interview pre-screened, eligible clients during clinic hours at Legal Services of CNY, Inc., 472 South Salina Street, Third Floor, Syracuse. Services provided include counsel and advice and possible retention of case to provide brief services beyond the clinic environment. Clinic takes place Wednesdays from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Legal Services of CNY, Inc. Contact Esther Weingarten, Esq., 475-3127.

WHY BECOME A VOLUNTEER LAWYER? 

Volunteerism in the legal arena has its reward. It comes not only from the recognition of your efforts by your peers or your clients, but from the pride you can take in yourself by helping a poor person in need gain access to the justice system. No matter what kind of law you practice, there is some kind of pro bono activity suited for you. 

Please contact the Bar office by email at vlp@onbar.org or by phone at
315/471-3409 for more information about the Volunteer Lawyers Project.