Volunteer Attorney - High Impact Social Justice Litigation

Are you an attorney looking to expand your pro bono impact?

Or, have you recently retired from a government attorney position or private practice and still want to have an impact on social justice?

Then apply today to serve as a Volunteer Attorney with the Barbara McDowell Public Interest Law Center!

The Barbara McDowell Public Interest Law Center (Law Center) manages a corps of volunteer attorneys to litigate, on its behalf, high impact social justice cases on a pro bono basis.

Volunteer attorneys are responsible for all aspects of litigation including drafting pleadings, writing discovery, preparing summary judgment motions, and participating in trials and appeals.

Serving as a volunteer attorney allows individuals to improve the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged persons and have a significant impact on social justice issues by using their legal expertise and experience.

Volunteer attorneys are supervised by the Law Center Litigation Director and all cases are conducted by and on behalf of the Law Center. Volunteer attorneys sign pleadings and court documents in their name, on behalf of the Law Center. The Litigation Director and the Law Center’s Litigation Committee are responsible for approving, staffing, and resolving any litigation matter conducted by and on behalf of the Law Center and its volunteer attorneys.

Volunteer Scope of Work

• The scope of work for Law Center volunteer attorneys varies with each case and may include:
• Drafting of pleadings, involvement in discovery efforts, trial preparation, settlement negotiations, trial, and appeal.
• Participating with the litigation team as a member in developing the case from the outset of the filing of the case, through trial, and onto appeal, if necessary, and/or serving as lead attorney on the cases in which he or she participates.
• Volunteers are free to limit the extent of their involvement in terms of time spent and work performed based on agreements made between the volunteer and the Litigation Director in consultation with the Litigation Committee.

Volunteer Qualifications

• United States bar-admitted attorneys in good standing in the jurisdiction in which they will be litigating, eligible to waive into the jurisdiction in which the case is being litigated, or eligible for pro hac vice appearance.
• Experience litigating civil cases, including social justice cases and high impact class action suits.

Volunteer Requirements

• Submit an online application, participate in a volunteer interview, and participate in a volunteer orientation.
• Commit to the full length of the case for which they volunteer.
• Commit to working the necessary hours required to litigate the case.
• Willing and able to work remotely.
• Available for regular videoconference meetings throughout the duration of the case.
• Work cooperatively as a team with the Litigation Director and other volunteer attorneys.

Malpractice Insurance

The Law Center will obtain and pay for malpractice insurance for volunteer attorneys conducting litigation efforts on its behalf.