If you are unable to find an answer here, please email volunteer@lafla.org.

Paralegals & Paralegal Students
Where may paralegals and paralegal students volunteer?

Paralegals and paralegal students may volunteer at our Self-Help Legal Access Centers.

 

Evenings and Weekends
Why don’t you use volunteers on evenings or weekends?

Many of our staff work outside normal business hours, but need the time to catch up on their own work. They can’t commit to supervising volunteers at the same time.

Short-term volunteer
I can volunteer for two weeks. Why can’t you use me?

We need to train volunteers before they can be productive. We use volunteers to help usin our goals of assisting the poor with their legal problems. We want volunteers can devote a significant amount of time to the project after their training.

Observation/Informational Interview
Can I come watch what you do? Can I schedule an informational interview?

The practice of law is confidential. We cannot have people sitting in on client meetings or watching us working on confidential documents. We can try to schedule interviews, but in general our too busy to schedule interviews. Most court proceedings are open to the public, you can sit in the courtroom and observe trials.

Required volunteering
I need to volunteer 40 hours in order to graduate? I need to volunteer 8 hours/15 hours to apply for a PILF grant?

The minimum commitment for law students is 60 hours in a semester.

Post-Graduate Fellowships
Do you hire post-graduate fellows?

We often have four or more fellows from a range of different funding sources, including Equal Justice Works and law school funded programs. LAFLA will work closely with you on the application. Please contact the Directing Attorney of the Unit with which you want to work, or the Director of Private Attorney Involvement at volunteer@lafla.org for more information.

Summer Law Clerkships
Can an undergraduate apply for a summer clerkship?

No, only current law students may apply as paid law clerks.

Paid Internships
Do you offer paid internships?

As a nonprofit, we have very limited funds to support non-staff positions. We only offer paid clerkships to current law students. During the school year, these are limited to students who fluently speak an Asian language. We do not have paid internships for undergraduates or pre-law students.

Trainings
Why do I have to apply to attend a training?

Our trainings are intended for our new volunteers. We do not offer legal training for the general public. We screen our new volunteers in order to ensure that our clients receive the best possible service.

Minimum Age for Volunteers
Is there a minimum age for volunters?

Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, due to the confidential nature of our practice.  No one under 18 years of age may work directly with clients.

Applying for Others
Can I apply for my child?

Can I apply for both myself and a friend?

No.  Each individual who wants to volunteer must apply on his or her own.

Internships at LAFLA
Do I need previous legal experience to intern or volunteer at LAFLA?

No.

What are the most important qualifications to intern or volunteer?

Fluency in a second language, enthusiasm and flexibility, a desire to learn and help people, and in most instances, a car.

What will I do as an intern?

LAFLA is respectful of the sacrifices made by interns and volunteers.  We strive to provide challenging and meaningful experiences.  We want interns to have extensive exosure to the legal system and an opportunity to directly assist clients and litigants.  We do not use volunteers to routinely make photocopies or act as receptionists.

Will I work directly with clients?

In most instances yes, especially for interns who speak a second language fluently.

What if I am conversant or proficient in a second language?

Anything short of fluent is of little value.  We need interns and volunteers who can explain legal conepts, though they may not know legal terminology, to assist our clients.  We test applicants before we make an offer.

What if I only speak English?

We do use monolingual English-speaking interns and volunteers.  You will spend more time doing written assignments, since a large percentage of our clients have limited English proficiency. 

What time commitment do I need to make?

Internships are very competitive.  The more time you can commit, the more competitve your application.  A half day a week is rarely enough to be valuable to either you or the Foundation.

What is the dress code?

Business casual.  No shorts, miniskirts, sandals, or baby t-shirts, please.

Can I start right away?

We generally require two-three weeks to process each application.  For summer, especially June and July, we begin accepting applications in November and usually fill all slots by the end of March.

My school has a paid internship program or work study funding available.  Will you help me apply?

Though LAFLA is unable to pay interns, we are happy to help interns apply for funding from outside sources.  Independent funding makes your application more competitive.