Contract Attorney Training and Online Legal Information Services

About Scale Justice

Scale Justice (formerly known as Pro Bono Net) is a leading nonprofit access to justice innovator with a 25-year history of impact. Our digital tools and partnerships help people navigate the law, access justice, and live more secure lives. We are building a future where the power of the law belongs to everyone. To learn more about our impact, visit: https://scalejustice.org This request for proposals supports Scale Justice's New York based programs: LawHelpNY is a statewide resource center with community education and self-help materials to help New Yorkers understand and solve legal problems. LiveHelp is an online live chat service, staffed by law student volunteers, to connect people to the right information.

Description

Scale Justice seeks an attorney to train and support law student volunteers; and help create plain language legal information that improves language access for LawHelpNY site visitors and LiveHelp users. The attorney will ensure that volunteer services and online information are accurate, accessible, and impactful for the communities we serve. The contract requires an average 17 to 20 hours per week. The contractor sets their own schedule. This is a grant-funded contract through March 2027. Pending future funding, there may be opportunities to expand or extend the scope of this role.

Objectives

The purpose of the contract is to improve the quality of volunteer law students' online support for LawHelpNY and Crime Victims Legal Help site visitors. Objectives and deliverables include:

• improved training materials
• a more effective onboarding process for volunteers
• adequate guidance and support to volunteers
• a more empathetic experience for LiveHelp users
• an increase in the percent of LiveHelp users who report better understanding of the law and process
• New York State Bar certifications for LiveHelp volunteers who successfully complete their pro bono requirements.

Scope of Services

Training

• Revise and improve the training curriculum for LiveHelp volunteers who provide online support to visitors on the LawHelpNY and the Crime Victims Legal Help websites;
• Onboard 15 to 20+ new volunteers on a quarterly cycle, with the assistance of the LiveHelp project coordinator.
• Teach the volunteers how to use our online tools; understand requests for information; avoid legal advice; and be helpful, professional, and empathetic.
• Develop additional training materials as needed.

Quality Review and Program Support

• Monitor and guide volunteer work to provide quality assistance to LiveHelp users.
• Regularly scan volunteer transcripts for good "customer" service and appropriate information.
• Provide volunteer feedback, and additional training and quality control as needed.
• Collaborate to develop and implement project improvements for greater community access and impact.
• Confirm and document completion of volunteer hour requirement to the New York State Bar when a volunteer has successfully completed 50 hours of volunteer work.

Legal Writing and Review

• As time allows, collaborate with the Content Manager and Legal Director on creating, editing, and presenting plain language community education content from the LawHelpNY website.

Requirements

• A J.D. degree and membership in the New York State Bar.
• Five or more years legal experience, with a passion for training and writing.
• Plain language writing skills.
• Training skills to communicate procedure, workflow, law, and more to volunteers, partners, and the public.
• The ability to work collaboratively with the project coordinator, legal director, and others for a successful LiveHelp program.
• Bilingual Spanish proficiency.
• Knowledge of NY State civil law in areas such as housing, family, consumer debt, or benefits is helpful.
• Competency and experience using online tools and technology.
• Experience supervising volunteers or staff is helpful.
• Project management and nonprofit experience are helpful.
• New York State residency or proximity preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel about once a month for New York meetings and events.

This is not an employment relationship. The contractor will use their own office space, equipment, and computer. The contractor is also responsible for their own taxes, benefits, and insurance.

Bilingual Spanish proficiency