Attorneys
Every lawyer has a professional responsibility to provide legal services for those unable to pay for an attorney. SLLS offers various opportunities for attorneys to volunteer their time and talents to help increase access to justice for vulnerable people.
Volunteer Opportunities
Security Deposit Theft Project
Low-Income Tax Payer Clinic
Volunteers work closely with SLLS staff to help low-income families with federal tax controversies in this statewide project.
Mission for Mark Cancer Legal Advocacy Project
The Mission for Mark Cancer Initiative addresses the civil legal needs of cancer patients and their families.
Northshore Pro Bono Project
In Forma Pauperis (IFP) Clinic
Wills for Heroes
Clinics, Outreach Events, and Self Help Desks
Security Deposit Recovery Project
SLLS Security Deposit Recovery Project helps low income tenants in New Orleans recover illegally retained security deposits. The Project began in 2020 with a grant from the Legal Services Corporations’ Pro Bono Innovation Fund. Our staff attorney for the Project has garnered experience in Louisiana’s security deposit law which he has used to develop user-friendly self-help materials for clients as well as training for volunteers. In addition to managing a personal caseload, the Project’s staff attorney trains and mentors undergraduate interns, law students, and attorneys who represent clients involved in security deposit disputes on a Pro Bono basis. Opportunities are available for both new and experienced volunteers as comprehensive training and mentorship will be provided. Volunteers interested in this project can help clients in a number of ways including staffing brief advice clinics, drafting demand letters, negotiating settlements, litigation, and judgement collection. Those interested should email zsimmons@slls.org for more information.
Clinics, Outreach Events, and Self-Help Desks
SLLS regularly hosts community legal clinics and other outreach events where volunteers are needed to offer legal advice, assist with wills and powers of attorney, and more.
Northshore Pro Bono Project
Volunteer attorneys represent clients in St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes in family law, wills, bankruptcies, successions, and other general civil litigation matters. We currently have several special projects in this area such as the Volunteers for Veterans, Wills for Heroes, Washington Parish Self-Help Desk, helping Reentry Court participants, and other outreach events. For more information on how you can get involved please contact, Cynthia Bordonaro, Northshore Pro Bono Coordinator, at cbordonaro@slls.org or 985.893.0076.
In Forma Pauperis (IFP) Clinic
Our weekly In Forma Pauperis (IFP) clinics help people move forward with their uncontested divorces. An IFP is commonly referred to as a “fee waiver.” However, it is actually more like a “fee delayer.” The IFP is an option for low-income individuals (to delay having to pay the court fines. Instead of paying upfront, typically either the petitioner or defendant (or both) will pay at the end of the proceedings.