Volunteer Lawyer for the Day Program - Housing

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About the Volunteer Lawyer for the Day Program (Housing)

The Civil Court of the City of New York operates the Volunteer Lawyer for the Day (VLFD) Program, which is designed to assist unrepresented tenants and landlords appearing in nonpayment cases in the Housing Court’s Resolution Part. The VLFD program is an unbundled legal services program where the representation begins and ends the same day.

There are no client calls, filing deadlines, motion practice or responsibilities beyond the allotted day, which is scheduled in advance at your convenience.

If you are an attorney interested in the VLFD program, learn more about how it works and how you can earn 3.5 free CLE credits for your service.
If you are a participant in the program, view calendars, schedule your services or submit a volunteer service affirmation.

For more information email [email protected] or call 646-386-5428.

Prospective Volunteer Attorneys

The Volunteer Lawyer for the Day (VLFD) Program offers unrepresented litigants in nonpayment proceedings the opportunity to have lawyers represent them during their appearances in the Resolution Part of Housing Court. The Program currently operates in Kings (Brooklyn) County on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Participating lawyers provide unrepresented litigants — either tenants or owners/landlords — with limited scope representation. The volunteer lawyer handles the portion of the litigant's nonpayment case that takes place in the Resolution Part, not the entire matter.

By volunteering, lawyers help some of the thousands of unrepresented tenants threatened with the loss of their homes and unrepresented landlords in financial or other distress. Volunteer lawyers can find out what it is like to be a courtroom lawyer, even if they do not have litigation experience. Volunteer lawyers can develop client interviewing and courtroom skills.

How It Works

In the VLFD Program, the volunteer lawyer and the client meet the morning of the court appearance and sign a retainer agreement for just that day’s appearance. The lawyer serves and files a Limited Notice of Appearance with the Court. The lawyer then appears on the landlord's or tenant’s behalf for the day.

In the Resolution Part, parties discuss the case before a judge or court attorney to see if a settlement is possible. Cases are often resolved by a Stipulation of Settlement written in court. Volunteer lawyers are supervised by a knowledgeable Program Coordinator who reviews the cases, discusses strategy, and approves the stipulations. The representation is complete at the end of the day, whether the case is resolved or not.

Training and CLE Credits

The VLFD Program offers volunteer lawyers free CLE, which includes topics covering ethics and professionalism and areas of professional practice. The topics of the CLE seminar include:

Nonpayment Proceedings
Ethics of Unbundled Representation
Negotiating & writing Stipulations of Settlement in Housing Court

Lawyers must complete the seminar to participate in the VLFD Program. For training updates, email [email protected]

Volunteer Commitment

Participating lawyers commit to provide a minimum of 20 hours service in the Housing Court, Resolution Part over a six month period. As most cases in the Resolution Part are resolved by 1:00 p.m. However, volunteers should be prepared to be in court from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on each volunteer day for any exceptions.

VLFD Pilot Project

From November 2006 - March 2007, the Civil Court, in conjunction with the Office of the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives, the New York City Bar Association’s Committee on Legal Services to Persons of Moderate Means, Subcommittee on Unbundled Legal Services, and the Fordham Law School Feerick Center for Social Justice and Dispute Resolution ran a pilot project, to test unbundled legal services in litigated matters as a means to alleviate unmet legal needs. The Civil Court recruited, trained and supervised volunteer lawyers to represent litigants at their initial court appearance in Housing Court.

This program is modeled after the pilot project. Read the Pilot Project Report to learn more.

Hear What Volunteers Say About the Program

Watch a short video and hear what lawyers who have volunteered in the program said about the experience.

Lawyer for a Day Video | Transcript

Run time: 1.5 minutes, wmv format

Submit an Application

To register for the next training, please submit an application to be a Volunteer Lawyer for the Day. Check back often to see when the program expands to other courthouses.

Participating Volunteer Attorneys

Thank you for participating in the Volunteer Lawyer for the Day Program and showing your commitment to making a difference in the lives of many New Yorkers. The donation of your time and expertise is the heart of this program, and your service is greatly appreciated.

The Program operates in Kings County on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Please email us to schedule time to volunteer and submit the Affirmation of Completion of Volunteer Service.

Schedule Time to Volunteer

You must sign up at least one week in advance from the date you wish to provide your services by e-mailing us at [email protected].

Submit Affirmation

When you complete your two days of service, please submit the Affirmation of Completion of Volunteer Service. If you are having trouble using the online form, you can dial 646-386-5428 or email [email protected].