Why Volunteer Through Community Law Program?
- Pinellas County has many families living at or below the poverty level, and these families often have a disproportionate number of legal difficulties that can profoundly impact their daily lives.
- You would be providing legal assistance to individuals who could not otherwise afford legal representation.
- Attorneys can meet their aspirational pro bono goal of 20 hours of pro bono service or a $350 donation in lieu of service through the Community Law Program, a qualified legal aid organization. CLP is also a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
- CLP provides opportunities for free CLE seminars.
- Offers personal and professional enrichment as well as networking and mentoring opportunities with other practitioners.
- Attorneys are covered by Community Law Program’s malpractice insurance while doing qualified pro bono work.
Other Benefits:
- 50% discount on dues to the St. Petersburg Bar for the 1st year of a new membership
- Use of CLP’s office and equipment for pro bono cases
- Access to mentors
- Annual Appreciation Event
Volunteer Guidelines:
- Licensed Florida attorney in good standing with the Florida Bar or retired or inactive attorney certified as an emeritus lawyer under Chapter 12 of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar. For a copy of these rules, go to https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.stpetebar.com/resource/resmgr/files/Emeritus_AttachmentsFnl_.pdf.
- Treat the client with the same dignity and respect that you would any other client.
- Keep track of your time.
- Inform us when the referred matter is complete.
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Spend a couple hours per month or per week providing free legal advice remotely, via phone or video conference.
- Help pro se litigants complete family law forms.
- Assist a senior or veteran with a will or advanced directive.
- Represent individuals pro bono in a variety of areas of civil law.
- Assist qualified non-profits with transactional business issues.
- Help a young adult formerly in foster care or who is in extended foster care keep or maintain self-sufficiency.
- Assist qualified non-profits with transactional business issues.
- Mentor a volunteer attorney providing pro bono legal assistance.
- To find available pro bono cases in your area online, check out www.floridaprobonomatters.org
How to Volunteer:
The Amendment Four Project
Training Videos
Landlord-Tenant Law A-Z
https://vimeo.com/album/5944399
*This video is password protected. Please email Kimberly Rodgers at krodgers@lawprogram.org for password and materials.*
Sink or Swim: Keeping a Debtor Client Afloat in Bankruptcy (Chapter 7)
https://vimeo.com/album/5370307
*This video is password protected. Please email Kimberly Rodgers at krodgers@lawprogram.org for password and materials.*
Legal Issues Affecting Young Adults Who Have Aged Out of Foster Care
*This video is password protected. Please email Kimberly Rodgers at krodgers@lawprogram.org for password and materials.*
Divorce & Paternity Basics
– Part 1 – Introduction (February 19, 2016)
– Part 2 – Client Intake, Retainer Agreements, Pleadings, and Other Initial Filings, Discovery (February 19, 2016)
– Part 3 – Parental Responsibility and Time Sharing (February 19, 2016)
– Part 4 – Equitable Distribution (February 19, 2016)
– Part 5 – Alimony and Child Support (February 19, 2016)
– Part 6 – Trial Notebook and Domestic Violence (February 19, 2016)
– Part 7 – Judicial Roundtable (February 19, 2016)
Child Support A-Z
– Part 1 – Components of Child Support Calculation (April 6, 2017)
– Part 2 – Effect of Receipt of Social Security Benefits on Child Support (April 6, 2017)
– Part 3 – Title IV-D and Department of Revenue (April 6, 2017)
– Part 4 – Judicial Roundtable (April 6, 2017)
*These videos are password protected. Please email Kimberly Rodgers at krodgers@lawprogram.org for password and materials.*
Legal Options for Attorneys Representing Relatives Caring for Minor Children, May 20, 2016.
*This video is password protected. Please email Kimberly Rodgers at krodgers@lawprogram.org for password and materials.*