The sharp downturn in the economy has had a profound impact on the justice system and the legal community. The number of unrepresented litigants in court has increased dramatically. At the same time, substantial numbers of attorneys find themselves unexpectedly unemployed.
In response to these concerns, the court system has established the Volunteer Attorney Program, offering attorneys opportunities to volunteer to serve the courts and the public.
Under the Program, attorneys can volunteer to provide advice and assistance to unrepresented litigants (Pro Bono Volunteer Attorney); or, they can serve in a judge’s chambers, performing legal research, writing and related functions (Chambers’ Volunteer Attorney).
Attorneys can volunteer full-time or part-time, on a schedule that is convenient to them. Participating attorneys select the court in which they want to serve and the type of cases they prefer to handle (subject to availability).
Pro Bono Volunteer Attorneys
Under the supervision of court staff, Pro Bono Volunteer Attorneys are available to provide legal advice and assistance to unrepresented litigants in:
•answering questions and inquiries
•completing petitions and other court forms
•preparing for court hearings
•interpreting court orders
Matters in which legal assistance is needed include:
•consumer debt cases
•family matters (including custody, visitation and child support)
•mortgage foreclosures
•landlord/tenant cases
•matrimonials
•small estates
•uncontested divorce
In each of these areas, the court system will provide free training, with CLE credit. In some areas, there are also opportunities for limited scope representation.
Attorneys requesting to work with unrepresented litigants should fill out the application to serve as a Pro Bono Volunteer Attorney. For questions, email: volunteerattorneys@nycourts.gov, call 646.386.4205, or Fax Volunteer Attorney Program at: 212.374.5709
Schedule Time to Volunteer By County:
Manhattan (New York)
Brooklyn (Kings)
Queens
Bronx
Staten Island (Richmond)
Program Descriptions
Chambers Volunteer Attorneys
The Chambers Volunteer Attorneys Program is a joint effort of the Unified Court System and the Lawyers in Transition Committee of the New York State Bar Association. Participants work directly in chambers, with the judge and court staff. Attorneys will have the chance to assist in the research and writing of memoranda and decisions. Opportunities are available in both trial-level courts and appellate courts. To participate, attorneys must be admitted to practice in New York State, or awaiting admission after passing the NYS bar exam. This program is not open to attorneys currently employed in the practice of law, or to furloughed attorneys who plan to return to their law firm.
Types of cases include:
•Appellate
•Commercial
•Criminal
•Family
•Housing
•General Civil
•Matrimonial
•Trusts and Estates
•Torts
Attorneys requesting to work in a judge’s chambers should fill out the application to serve as a Chambers Volunteer Attorney. For questions, email: volunteerattorneys@nycourts.gov, call 212.428.5588, or Fax Chambers Volunteer Attorneys at: 212.428.2190.
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