May 8, 2013
Law
Student, Paralegal, and Undergraduate Volunteer Opportunities: Summer,
2013, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA)
Orientations
will be held on May 22, 1 - 2 p.m., and on May 31, 1 - 2 p.m., at JALA’s downtown
office, 126 West Adams Street, 32202.
Volunteers
must attend an orientation session prior to starting their volunteer
opportunity.
Positions
will be filled by qualified students on a first come, first served basis.
Volunteer
positions may begin after orientation on
a date and time agreed between the volunteers and their supervising attorneys.
Please respond as
soon as possible. Send your response to
Claudia Romero, Pro Bono JALA, Claudia.romero@jaxlegalaid.org and indicate in your email:
- Your first and second choices of volunteer
positions and the approximate number of hours a week that you’re available to
assist (4 hours minimum).
- The orientation date that you’re able to
attend, either May 22, 1 - 2 p.m., or May 31, 1 - 2 p.m.
Help
Wanted
JALA Unit: Pro Bono JALA
Case Administration Assistant: Two law students are needed to learn how to
close cases and assist with other pro bono case administration tasks. The position will require learning to use the
JALA electronic case management system, written and oral communication with pro
bono attorneys and clients, and other organizational tasks. Hours are flexible and must be done on site
at the Adams Street office. A minimum of
four hours a week is required.
General Administrative Assistant: One law student is needed to conduct client
intake, help with electronic case management, monitor case status, and assist
with pro bono outreach project preparation and implementation. The position will require learning to use the
JALA electronic case management system, written and oral communication with pro
bono attorneys and clients, and other organizational tasks. Hours are flexible and must be done on site
at the Adams Street office. A minimum of
four hours a week is required.
JALA Unit: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advocacy
Discovery Analysis Assistant:
The law student or paralegal volunteer
will go through approximately 1000 pages of discovery on a federal action and
using excel to help attorney and legal assistant chart accommodations, evaluations, and other
services. Hours are flexible and the
volunteer will start right away. The
work must be done on site at the Adams Street office. A minimum of eight hours a week is
required. This can be broken up in two
days.
Class Action Case Assistant:
The law student volunteer will assist
with the due diligence stage for a class action. This project involves organizing inmate
letters categorizing the denial/provision of services and assisting in charting
out offensive correctional institutes.
Proficiency in Excel is required.
A minimum of eight hours a week is required. This time can be broken up in two days.
JALA Unit: Baker Defense Project (immigration)
(The Baker Defense Project provides free representation to immigrants
detained at the Baker County Jail in MacClenny, Florida. The project focuses on
representing persons who are survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence
and other violent crime, or who have a fear of torture or persecution if
deported to their native country.) A
minimum of four hours a week is required.
Baker Defense Project Assistant(s):
One or two Spanish-speaking volunteers are needed for the following:
Translations: can be done off site via
e-mail
Interpretations: will be done in person
at JALA office, but also at the detention center in Macclenny. The student
would travel with me to the facility after meeting up at JALA, so they would
not be responsible for mileage. There is space on the fourth floor where the
volunteer could be stationed if they want to work on site.
Legal Research: Can be done remotely, but
only after orientation with me to explain what is needed. Would prefer if the
volunteer was available to consult with me once a week regarding research
progress and so that I was available to answer questions.
Court observation: The student would have
the opportunity to observe removal hearings in Orlando if they were interested.
JALA Unit: Community Development
Client Organization Assistant:
A law student or paralegal volunteer is needed to call all clients (nonprofit
organizations) to remind them to file 990-Ns before May 15th.
The volunteer can also learn how to file so that he/she can help the people who
do not know what to do.
JALA Unit: Predatory Lending
Research and Document Drafting Assistance: Law student volunteers conduct research
projects and draft documents as directed by supervising attorneys practicing in
the areas of foreclosure defense, collections defense, garnishments, contracts,
and bankruptcy. Volunteer time is
accomplished primarily on-site, but some research may also be done
remotely. Schedule is flexible and will
be set with students and supervising attorney(s).
JALA Unit:
Fair Housing Advocacy
Fair Housing Researcher – Impediments & Reasonable Accommodation:
Law student volunteers will collect data and analyze housing
impediments and fair housing options for the disabled in northeast
Florida. Students will collaborate with
the lead attorney for the Fair Housing Advocacy unit of JALA to create a final
document that will be used to promote reasonable accommodation and help ensure
compliance with the Fair Housing Act. A
minimum of four hours per week is required.
Schedule is flexible and will be set with students and supervising attorney. Three students are needed.
Fair Housing Researcher – Bedbug Prevention Options(short -term
project, late May through early July):
Volunteer can be law student or undergraduate student. The student volunteer is needed to do some
research into model plans used by cities around the nation (or globe) to address
bedbugs. Two JALA attorneys serve on a committee tasked with making
recommendations for the distribution of certain resources in the city.
The proposal is due in July. Our notion is that we might be able to show
how a comprehensive plan could save money for tenants and for multifamily
housing providers. At any rate, other communities have addressed this
problem that has become an increasing challenge affecting JALA clients, and
their housing providers. The student will report to the lead attorney of
the Fair Housing unit. Hours are
flexible and some can be accomplished off-site.
JALA: Accounting Department
Clerical Assistant:
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is looking
for a summer volunteer (can be law student, paralegal, or undergraduate) to
assist in the accounting department with filing, payroll and basic
accounting. Experience in Excel is preferred but not required.
Please be prepared to submit a resume. The volunteer will be asked
to assist 4-8 hours a week at the office at 126 West Adams Street, 32202
JALA Unit: Project CLEAR2 (Civil
Legal Education & Advocacy Reducing Recidivism):
Re-entry Project Assistant(s):
Law student, paralegal, or undergraduate volunteers will help with data
entry for grants, meeting with clients and assessing job readiness skills,
assisting clients identify employers that are hiring through internet searches,
assistance with cover letters and resumes. Volunteers will also assist with
drafting petitions, orders and motions, as needed. A minimum of four hours a week is required
at the 126 West Adams Street office. Law
students or undergraduate students may apply.
JALA Unit: Intake
Intake
Interviewer(s):
Two law
student volunteers are needed to assist with applicant intake interviews. Volunteers will be trained to use the JALA
electronic case management system and will be trained in interview skills. A minimum of 10 hours a week is required with
a minimum three-month commitment.
Volunteers will report to the 126 West Adams Street office.
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