Volunteer Opportunities

 Twelve to fifteen percent of Maine's citizens live in poverty, half of all Mainers read at or below an eighth grade level and approximately 70,000 low-income households experience a significant legal problem every year. Using toll free and local lines, people of low income across the state call the Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) for legal assistance.

For nearly thirty years, VLP has responded to their calls by providing free information and assistance as well as limited, reduced fee and pro bono representation. Empowering people to assert their rights, extending the protections of the law to everyone, and using the law to change lives for the better is what every Mainer deserves.

You can be part of the team providing much needed services.  The list below highlights the various opportunities for community members and students to become key players in the delivery of legal services to those in need.

• Client Interviewers: Trained volunteers answer the phone lines, interview the callers, review the matter with legal supervisors, and act as the link to needed services. Volunteers are recruited from the broad Southern Maine community, as well as various universities and colleges within Maine and elsewhere, and the University Of Maine School Of Law.
• CHAP Interviewers:Undergraduate and law student interns or experienced community volunteers interview walk-in clients at the Courthouse Assistance Project in Portland, Biddeford, and/or Lewiston. Volunteers are trained to handle initial interviews, coordinate with attorneys on duty, and when appropriate, assist clients with filling out family law pro se materials.
• Administrative & Technical Assistants: Volunteers assist staff with various administrative tasks, including data entry, web updates and design, Facebook design updates, general office work and specifically designed projects.
• Helpline Advocates: Law students and lawyers provide assistance to those individuals going through family law matters pro se (without an attorney). Direction is given on court papers, understanding the procedures, and developing the clients pro se family law matter. After an initial interview during the day, staff schedule appropriate cases for evening Helpline services.
• Project Participants/Coordinators:  New projects are often started with volunteer participation and leadership.
• Interns and Fellows: Undergraduate and Law Students, as well as interested community members commit to various levels of extended time and service to the program. (12 hrs, 16 hrs, 20 hrs and 35 hrs per week per semester) Responsibilities and opportunities include client interviewing, court observations, CHAP and/or Helpline involvement, trainings with attorneys, mentoring, and projects specific to program needs and intern interest.

To learn more about volunteering with VLP, please follow the links to the right. If you would like to volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator.

Please click here for a draft of our volunteer application.