There are multiple opportunities for law students to do pro bono work at UW Law School. Below is a list of current and upcoming projects. Check back frequently for additional opportunities!
Students,
legal services organizations and attorneys are also encouraged to create
additional opportunities. To learn more, go to Initiating a
Project.
Current and Upcoming Projects:
Advocacy and Benefits Counseling (ABC) for Health, Inc.
ABC for Health, Inc.
32 North Bassett Street
Madison, WI 53703
608-261-6939
Advocacy and Benefits Counseling (ABC) for Health, Inc. is a Wisconsin-based, non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to ensuring health care access for children and families, particularly those with special needs or who are at risk. Student volunteers will be involved in assisting firm attorneys in direct client service to low-income, underserved Wisconsin residents as well as assisting in legal research, writing, briefing and policy work.
Direct client services will include client interviews, intake interviews, and follow up meetings to determine health care financing needs and services for patients and clients. A student will help identify health coverage options for ABC clients, in consultation with attorneys and health benefits advocacy staff, and help with any appeals, challenges or denials of coverage. Students will assist client services staff in our contract with local providers, which will involve meeting patients in their hospital rooms to identify health coverage and navigate hurdles to accessing available coverage options. If necessary, students will help with any future action in federal court litigation.
In addition, ABC for Health will work with students to help teach and train public health service providers, advocates, and attorneys the critical information to help even more people in Wisconsin. This will mean conducting a research project on a topic identified by early previous work with clients. After research, the results will be translated into policy proposals, newsletters and papers, Continuing Legal Education (CLE) materials or web cast materials to help disperse the findings.
Number of student volunteers requested: 2
Project start date: 9/3/12
Project end date: Indefinite.
Approximate hours of work requested: 12-20 hours/week
Training: Students will undergo extensive orientation and training on both substantive health coverage programs, federal and state laws, administrative rules and advocacy strategies, and on client services skills including client interviewing, database systems, phone systems, etc. Students will benefit from one‐on‐one, hands‐on training with their supervisor, other attorneys and health benefits counselors at ABC for Health.
Work will be performed: At ABC for Health (address above).
Transportation: Accessible by bus.
Desired course or clinic experience: Students must be a 2L or 3L during the 2012-2013 Academic Year. Spanish language ability preferred.
To apply: Submit a resume and cover letter to supervising attorney Brynne McBride (bmcbride@safetyweb.org).
Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups Elder Law Center
2850 Dairy Drive
Madison, WI 53718
(608) 221-6120
The mission of the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (CWAG) is “To improve the quality of life for people of all ages through: inter-generational understanding and leadership development, public education, legal and legislative advocacy, and public development.” This mission is supported through the several ongoing services and programs such as the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Helpline and the Elderly Benefit Specialist Program. In addition to these ongoing programs, CWAG’s Elder Law Center advocates on behalf of Wisconsin’s elderly community and pursues legislative changes to improve the quality of life for these individuals.
Student pro bono efforts will be performed under the supervision of CWAG staff attorneys, and specific projects can be tailored to suit a student’s experiences and interests. Students can assist with document preparation, legal research and writing, community education, client intake, and client counseling. Examples of programs in which students can get involved can be found on CWAG’s website here.
Number of student volunteers requested: Indefinite.
Project start date: Immediate.
Project end date: Ongoing.
Approximate hours of work requested: 4-10 hours per week (4 hour per week commitment required).
Training: Students will be trained on-site to conduct client intakes and use CWAG software. Ongoing training will be provided as needed.
Work will be performed: At the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (address above). Some off-site work may be possible after sufficient training.
Transportation: Bus transportation is available, but a personal vehicle would be helpful.
Required skills: Spanish and Hmong helpful, but not required.
Desired course or clinic experience: None, all levels (1L-3L) welcome.
To apply: Interested students should contact CWAG Attorney John Hendrick (jhendrick@cwag.org).
Community Immigration Law Center (CILC)
UW Latino Law Students Association
975 Bascom Mall
Madison, WI 53706
Clinic Location:
994 East Gorham Street
Madison, WI 53703
CILC provides legal information regarding immigration to individuals and groups who might otherwise not have access to the legal system. CILC does this through walk-in legal clinics, know-your-rights presentations, and other community education and outreach activities. CILC grew out of a series of meetings with people from various legal, social, and faith-based organizations who shared a concern about the lack of affordable legal services for noncitizens in our community.
The Latino Law Students Association coordinates student volunteering at CILC every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. At CILC, students conduct intakes on behalf of CILC attorneys with walk-in immigrant clients. Students also have the opportunity to observe attorney-client meetings following the intake. Students with foreign language skills may also contribute to CILC by completing various law-related translation projects.
Number of student volunteers requested: 5 to 6 students per visit.
Project start date: Immediate.
Project end date: Ongoing.
Approximate hours of work requested: 3 hours per visit.
Training: Students must attend a training session prior to participation. Contact Lia Ocasio (locasio@wisc.edu) for information about future training opportunities.
Work will be performed: Christ Presbyterian Church (address above).
Desired course or clinic experience: None, all levels (1L-3L) welcome. Various languages preferred, especially Spanish.
To participate: Contact Lia Ocasio (LLSA Vice President of Community Affairs) at locasio@wisc.edu.
Community Justice Inc.
Community Justice Inc.
214 N. Hamilton St. #101
Madison, WI 53713
608-442-3003
www.communityjusticeinc.org
Community Justice’s mission is to serve low and moderate income families and individuals in need of legal service through direct legal services, community awareness, educational programming and policy development advisory work. Their goal is to provide legal services at a rate drastically below the market cost of representation. They believe that through community collaboration they can advocate for the legal needs of low-income and under-represented people in the courtroom and community
Law students will help increase access to the legal system for low-income and under-represented individuals by helping to provide direct legal services, community awareness educational programming and policy development advisory work. They will do this by doing intakes, assisting attorneys to prepare documents, doing research and more.
Number of student volunteers requested: As many as possible
Project start date: Immediate
Project end date: Indefinite.
Approximate hours of work requested: 4-8 hours/week
Training: Community Justice will individually train all law students who will be volunteering at Community Justice. Training is provided in intake procedure, general office procedures and protocol, including the preparation of documents. Written training materials are provided for reference in all matters volunteers work on, including detailed phone scripts to ensure conflict checks and eligibility checks are properly completed.
Work will be performed: At Community Justice, but some off-site work may be possible.
Transportation: Accessible by Walking (20-30 minutes) or Bus transportation (16-20 minute trip) from the Law School.
Desired course or clinic experience: None, all levels (1L-3L) welcome. Students who have an interest in or have taken classes on family law and who have an interest in assisting people of very limited economic resources will help.
To apply: Submit a resume and cover letter to supervising attorney Jennifer Binkley at jennifer@communityjusticeinc.org
Dane County Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Dane County CASA
210 Martin Luther King Boulevard
Suite 356
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-9102
The mission of Dane County CASA is to be an independent voice for abused and neglected children who are under the legal protection of the Dane County Court System. CASA does this by training, supporting and supervising community-based volunteers who advocate for these children in the community and in the courts with the goal of establishing them in safe, permanent homes as soon as possible.
Law student volunteer advocates will meet weekly with families with children under a CHIPS, JIPS or delinquency order. Students will write reports for social workers, guardians at litem, attorneys and judges on the family’s progress and appear in court to advocate for the best interest of the child. CASA is particularly in need of male volunteers to meet a growing demand in cases involving boys and young men.
Number of student volunteers requested: 4-6
Project start date: Immediate.
Project end date: Indefinite.
Approximate hours of work requested: Approximately 2 hours per week. (Must plan to participate for one full year.)
Training: A mandatory 30-hour training will be provided on: the Dane County legal system, cultural competency, domestic violence and other issues facing families in the system. Students will also be trained to write reports to the court based on observations.
Work will be performed: At various locations throughout Dane County such as the family's home or the child's school. Additional work will be performed at the CASA office (address above) and the Dane County Courthouse.
Transportation: Bus transportation is available, but a personal vehicle would be helpful.
Desired course or clinic experience: None, all levels (1L-3L) welcome.
To apply: Submit a statement of interest via email to supervising attorney Mary Beth Collins (marybeth@danecountycasa.org).
Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals Workshops
Catholic Multicultural Center
1862 Beld Street
Madison, WI 53713
http://cmctoday.org/index.html
Obama’s DACA memo affects a community of largely undocumented immigrants that can easily be taken advantage of by those that claim to be lawyers that can help them with their “case” and then, essentially, rob them of money they often cannot afford to spend. The DACA workshops were created by several community organizations striving to give out accurate information and aid those that qualify. The DACA workshops help provide accurate information about the DACA application (who qualifies, what benefits it gives, that it’s not a path to citizenship, how to apply) and aids qualifying individuals in filling out the application. Students help with various aspects of the clinic. Students can greet those that arrive and check the registration to ensure the workshop runs smoothly. Students also help with general intake (asking the very basic qualification questions), document review (marking off a checklist of which documents the individuals bring with them for the application such as ID, report cards, bills, etc), and helping them fill out the application (the individuals write in the application themselves, but students just explain what the application asks and, if any questions arise, ask over an attorney for information).
Number of student volunteers requested: As many as possible
Project start date: Immediate
Project end date: Till the Election in November
Approximate hours of work requested: 2-3 hours/month
Training: DACA will train all law students who will be volunteering at these workshops. Training is provided in intake procedure, general office procedures and protocol, including the preparation of documents, document review, and immigration law.
Work will be performed: At the Catholic Multicultural Center
Transportation: Accessible by Car (20 minutes) or Bus transportation (30 minute trip) from the Law School.
Desired course or clinic experience: None, all levels (1L-3L) welcome. Students who have an interest in or have taken classes on immigration law and who have an interest in assisting people of very limited economic resources will help.
To apply: E-mail Lia Ocasio.
UW Immigrant Justice Clinic & Community Immigration Law Center (CILC) Bilingual Legal Volunteer Program
University of Wisconsin Law School
Economic Justice Institute
975 Bascom Mall, Room 1348
Madison, WI 53706
Student Bilingual Office Volunteers will assist IJC and CILC in providing legal services to immigrants in our community who are facing deportation. Volunteers will receive training and can expect to be involved directly with clients and their cases. The mission of the IJC is to offer pro bono representation to low-income immigrants facing deportation. There are currently no other providers of free or low-cost legal services to undocumented immigrants facing deportation proceedings in Wisconsin.
Number of student volunteers requested: 4-6
Project start date: Immediate.
Project end date: Indefinite.
Approximate hours of work requested: Approximately 3-4 hours per week. (Must plan to participate for at least one semester)
Training: A mandatory 2 hour training will be provided by Stacy Taeuber.
Work will be performed: Volunteers will work either in the IJC office in Villager Mall at 2300 South Park Street, Madison, WI 53713, or in Stacy Taeuber’s Office in the Remington Center, until the IJC offices are officially moved into the Economic Justice Institute.
Transportation: Bus transportation is available.
Desired course or clinic experience: Must be able to speak another language fluently, preferably Spanish , all levels (1L-3L) welcome.
To apply: If you are interested, please contact Stacy Taeuber.
Indian Wills Caravan Alternative Winter Break Trip
University of Wisconsin Law School
Economic Justice Institute
975 Bascom Mall, Room 1348
Madison, WI 53706
The trip will provide a number of wills clinics for tribal members throughout western Wisconsin from Jan 14-18th. At the clinics, volunteer attorneys and 10 law students will prepare wills and other estate planning documents at no charge for eligible tribal members. The Pro Bono Program, partner attorneys David Armstrong of Wisconsin Judicare Inc., and Julie Short of Easter Seals Wisconsin, and the Elder Law and Estate Planning Society collaborated to plan this trip to help Native Americans on reservations in Northern Wisconsin.
Number of student volunteers requested: 10
Approximate hours of work requested: One mandatory training session that covers Indian Law, Estate Planning, and Ethics/Professional Responsibility.
Work will be performed: At various Indian Reservations in Northern Wisconsin.
Desired course or clinic experience: Indian Law, Estate Planning, or prior experience in helping underrepresented peoples recommended. 2 and 3Ls preferred, 1Ls can apply.
To participate: To apply, please submit a resume and a cover letter explaining why you want to go on this trip and detailing any experience you have with Indian Law, Estate Planning Law or helping indigent populations to probonoprogram@law.wisc.edu. 3Ls and 2Ls will be given preference over 1Ls, but all interested are encouraged to apply.This trip was funded by ASM in 2013.
Legal Assistance for Disaster Relief
Legal Assistance for Disaster Relief
President: Jennifer Cunha
jcunha@wisc.edu
(630) 696-5502
The Legal Assistance for Disaster Relief (LADR) is a law student organization dedicated to providing legal assistance to low-income and indigent victims of major natural disasters. As least once a year (during winter break and/or spring break), students travel to a location in the United States that has recently suffered from a major natural disaster. During this trip, students clerk full-time for local non-profits assisting direct and indirect victims of the disaster with legal issues arising out of the disaster, including access to public benefits, employment, housing, patient dumping, and discharge of pre-disaster financial obligations.
Expected tasks include: intake interviewing; legal research and memo-writing; client-counseling and case evaluation; and, drafting or updating legal information brochures and practice manuals. In previous years, students have volunteered at organizations such as AIDSLaw of Louisiana, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, and the Orleans Public Defenders.
Number of student volunteers requested: 6-12 per semester.
Approximate hours of work requested: 40 hours per trip.
Training: Students will be trained by LADR prior to departure in addition to on-site training by attorneys at each host organization.
Work will be performed: On-site in locations recently affected by major natural disasters.
Desired course or clinic experience: None, all levels (1L-3L) welcome.
To participate: Closed for the 2011-2012 academic year. Project will recruit again in fall 2012.
National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) Detention Facility Trips
UW Latino Law Students Association
975 Bascom Mall
Madison, WI 53706
Detention Center Location:
Dodge County Detention Facility
216 West Center Street
Juneau, WI 53039
Undocumented individuals from around the country are apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and detained at the Dodge County Detention Facility, where they await a hearing on their deportation. Some of these detainees have valid claims for legal status or deferred action, but don’t have opportunities to access representation or legal advice during the hearing/deportation process. There are no court-appointed attorneys, and many don't have the resources or connections to hire an immigration attorney during the rapid deportation process. NIJC is able to provide legal services to some of these detainees with the help of UW law students.
The Latino Law Students Association coordinates a group of student volunteers to visit the Dodge County facility to spend four hours conducting intake interviews with detainees. Each student conducts one-on-one interviews with several detainees, gaining exposure to a variety of immigration-related issues and the removal process. Student volunteers provide a valuable service to these detainees and NIJC by screening them for possible relief from deportation.
Number of student volunteers requested: 6 to 12 students per visit.
Upcoming visit dates: Visit dates TBD.
Approximate hours of work requested: 4 hours per visit.
Training: Students are trained on-campus where they are exposed to the NIJC intake forms and various scenarios that may arise in conducting intakes with immigrant detainees.
Work will be performed: At the Dodge County Detention Facility (address above).
Desired course or clinic experience: None, all levels (1L-3L) welcome. Various languages preferred, especially Spanish.
To participate: Closed for the 2012. Project will recruit again in January 2013.
Tenant Resource Center
1202 Williamson Street, Suite 102
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 257-0143
The Tenant Resource Center is a nonprofit, membership organization dedicated to promoting positive relations between rental housing consumers and providers throughout Wisconsin. By providing information and referrals, education about rental rights and responsibilities, and access to conflict resolution, the Tenant Resource Center empowers the community to obtain and maintain quality affordable housing.
Students will provide pro bono service at the Tenant Resource Center as Volunteer Housing Counselors. Volunteer Housing Counselors will provide free legal education to tenants and landlords about their rental rights and responsibilities in Wisconsin, connect them with other TRC projects such as the Housing Help Desk and Housing Mediation Service, and refer to other agencies that can help clients solve their rental problems.Number of student volunteers requested: 1-5
Project start date: Immediate, after completion of mandatory training.
Project end date: Upon completion of one full year.
Hours of work requested: 160+ (At least 3 hours per week for one year).
Training: Students will complete a mandatory training in in federal, state, and local housing laws. They will also shadow experienced volunteers while they counsel clients. Contact Cristina Lor (office@tenantresourcecenter.org) for future training dates.
Work will be performed: At the Tenant Resource Center (address above).
Transportation: Bus transportation is available.
Required skills: Spanish and other language skills preferred.
Desired course or clinic experience: None, all levels (1L-3L) welcome.
To apply: Submit a cover letter by email to Cristina Lor (office@tenantresourcecenter.org). Minimum commitment is 3 hours per week for one year.
Unemployment Appeals Clinic of the UW Law School
975 Bascom Mall
Madison, WI 53706
(503) 686-8534
Clinic Location:
Madison Labor Temple
1602 South Park Street, #106
Madison, WI 53715
Through participation in the Unemployment Appeals Clinic students will learn a substantive area of administrative law, and gain basic litigation skills such as case intake, client counseling, document preparation and representation in administrative law hearings.
The Unemployment Appeals Clinic is a volunteer organization staffed by University of Wisconsin Law students and supervising attorneys. The purpose of the clinic is to help provide representation to the unemployed in the local community, most of whom cannot find legal help elsewhere. The Clinic’s goal is to help clients file unemployment compensation claims with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD). The Clinic only deals with claims involving Wisconsin Unemployment Law.
The Clinic acts primarily as an information center to help members of the community prepare themselves for an Unemployment Insurance hearing. It also provides student advocates to appear at the administrative hearings and may occasionally help draft briefs to the Labor and industry Review Commission (LIRC) to obtain unemployment benefits.
Number of student volunteers requested: Indefinite.
Project start date: Immediate.
Project end date: Ongoing.
Approximate hours of work requested: 6-12 per semester.
Training: Contact uwuwac@rso.wisc.edu for information about future training opportunities.
Work will be performed: Students primarily work at the Labor Temple (address above), unless they are scheduled to appear at an administrative hearing.
Desired course or clinic experience: None, all levels (1L-3L) welcome.
To participate: Interested students should submit a brief letter of interest via email to uwuac@rso.wisc.edu.
Veterans Law Center (VLC)
City-County Building
(2nd Thursday of each month, 11:00 to 1:00)
210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Madison, WI 53703
Porchlight, Inc.
(4th Thursday of each month, 4:00 to 6:00)
306 North Brooks Street
Madison, WI, 53715
VLC is a free legal center staffed by volunteer lawyers, paralegals and law students. The center will serve low-income veterans and their families, providing brief legal advice, information and referrals on a variety of civil legal matters. Additionally, staff from the Dane County Veterans Service Office will provide information about non-legal resources available to veterans.
Number of student volunteers requested: Indefinite.
Approximate hours of work requested: One VLC session (2.5 hours) a semester
Training: Students complete a 90 minute mandatory training session on military knowledge, veterans issues, professional responsibility, ethics, and a general overview of the VLC.
Work will be performed: At the two VLC sites (addresses above).
Desired course or clinic experience: None, all levels (1L-3L) welcome.
To participate: An additional training session will be offered second semester, and opportunities to participate in an online training session may be offered in the future. Please contact the VLC Student Coordinators to be added to the VLC e-mail list serv to be kept informed about VLC happenings.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
UW Law School Business and Tax Law Association (BATLAW)
975 Bascom Mall
Madison, WI 53703
VITA Site:
2300 South Park Street
Lower Level
Madison, WI 53713
The mission of the VITA program is to provide free tax preparation to low to moderate income individuals and families. Students will completely prepare and file the tax return of each client. Students may also be asked to do various clerical activities (filing signed papers, etc.). Additionally, students will have the opportunity to learn more about tax issues and answer client questions regarding various tax issues.
Students participating in VITA for directed research credits are not eligible for pro bono hours.
Number of student volunteers requested: Indefinite.
Approximate hours of work requested: 4 hours per week.
Training: Students complete an optional software training then take an online certification test. Students will be required to go through tax training at the VITA site where they will learn how to use the software and work on practice problems.
Work will be performed: At the VITA site (address above).
Desired course or clinic experience: None, all levels (1L-3L) welcome.
To participate: Closed for the 2011-2012 academic year. Project will recruit again in fall 2012.
Voter Registration Project
UW Law School Student Bar Association (SBA)
975 Bascom Mall
Madison, WI 53703
UW Law School Pro Bono Program
975 Bascom Mall, Room 1348
Madison, WI 53703
The City of Madison Clerk’s office is seeking people to serve as special registration deputies to provide assistance to students and area residents as they exercise their right to vote in upcoming elections. In response, the SBA and the Pro Bono Program are hosting a series of voter registration drives. Under state law, any qualified elector can serve as a special registration deputy. To qualify, individuals must have completed an approved training program within the last two years.
The fall primary will be held on August 14th, 2012, with the general election on November 6th, 2012.
Number of student volunteers requested: Indefinite.
Project Start Date: Immediate.
Project End Date: Ongoing through October 2012.
Approximate hours of work requested: Attend as many voter registration drives as desired in 3 hour increments.
Training: To register voters, volunteers must be trained and licensed as Special Registration Deputies through the City of Madison, which involves viewing a ten minute video and submitting the requisite paperwork as directed on the City Clerk’s website here.
Work will be performed: Locations will vary, but include the UW Law School, Goodman Community Center, and Villager Mall.
Desired course or clinic experience: None, all levels (1L-3L) welcome.
To participate: Contact Ann Zimmerman (amzimmerman3@wisc.edu) once you have registered to get more information about when the drives will take place.
Wisconsin Wills for Heroes
State Bar of Wisconsin
P.O. Box 7158
Madison, WI 53707
Through the Wisconsin Wills for Heroes Program, volunteer lawyers, students and support personnel participate in clinics scheduled for first responder organizations around the state. At these events, volunteer lawyers and students prepare wills and other estate planning documents free of charge for eligible first responders and their spouses or domestic partners.
The clinics are broken into morning and afternoon sessions, each lasting 3 hours. Volunteers see one client per hour. Generally, one law student sits with one attorney for each appointment and provides direct assistance. Prior to their appointments, participants watch a video and complete some preliminary forms to be reviewed with the attorneys. The volunteers then use customized software to create the documents with each client. At subsequent stations, documents are witnessed and notarized.
The national Wills for Heroes program was created by the Wills for Heroes Foundation after September 11, 2001 and is designed to assist emergency personnel in preparing basic estate planning documents to protect themselves and their families. Wills for Heroes in Wisconsin is sponsored by the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Pro Bono Program, with the generous support of Foley and Lardner LLP, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, LexisNexis and the State Bar Young Lawyers Division.
Number of student volunteers requested: 3-6 per clinic.
Project start date: Ongoing.
Project end date: Ongoing.
Approximate hours of work requested: Attend as many clinics as desired in 3 hour increments.
Training: N/A
Work will be performed: Clinic locations vary. Find upcoming clinic locations here.
Desired course or clinic experience: None required, but 2Ls and 3Ls who have successfully completed Trusts and Estates preferred.
To participate: Interested students should sign up as a witness for upcoming clinics online. Students should register on the event as witnesses for the morning, afternoon, or both. If the witness "tickets" are sold out on the registration page, students can email attorney Wes Taylor to let him know they are coming (Madison-area clinics only).
