Mark your calendar for 2009 Annual Training
November 9-11, 2009
Madison - American Family Training Center
November 17-19, 2009
Pewaukee - WCTC
More details will be posted as they become available.
VLP: Our Purpose
To help people like these: A battered woman is evicted from her home because of an abusive boyfriend.
A mental patient is forced into bankruptcy. An
elderly homeowner faces collection on work never performed. To see the sorts of
"choices" a family at the poverty has make every day, for a brief video tour
in English or
in Spanish.
Without the ability to pay for legal services, these people, and in fact any one
of us, could become victims of the legal system rather than protected by
it.
The private attorneys who volunteer their time through the Volunteer Lawyers
Project (VLP) believe in the principle of equal access to the legal system,
of making "justice for all" more than just a promise. These attorneys
are convinced that our legal system must work for all of its citizens.
Each year, VLP attorneys donate more than 3,000 hours of legal work while
balancing busy lives and their own caseloads.
VLP Projects
Pro Bono Panels
- Volunteers provide free legal services to low-income clients in the counties
of their choice. Volunteers are needed in every area of the law.
Domestic Violence Injunction Project
- Attorneys volunteer to prepare for and
appear at final injunction hearings.
Legal Assistance Projects
- Volunteer attorneys interview clients at sites in Milwaukee, Dane, Racine and Walworth Counties.
Volunteers assess the merits of each client's case and provides legal advice. Please be aware that there are a limited
number of positions available and we expect them to fill quickly. Watch here for 2009 sign-up forms soon.
NOTICE TO VLP WAUKESHA INTAKE PROJECT VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS
The Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP has suspended our weekly Waukesha Intake at the Outreach Center operated by
Cooperating Congregations of Waukesha County (CCWC), until we can develop a more effective way to utilize
volunteer attorneys to serve the legal needs of low-income Waukesha County residents. Legal Action and the
Volunteer Lawyers Project truly appreciate the many hours volunteered by local lawyers over the past 15 years.
Legal Action will continue to receive referrals from CCWC and serve Waukesha County clients through our intake
activities at Legal Action’s Milwaukee office, including our Milwaukee Legal Assistance Project (formerly Milwaukee
Intake Project) and Consumer Advocacy and Bankruptcy Assistance Project.
Volunteer attorneys who have worked in the Waukesha Intake Project may wish to participate in VLP’s Milwaukee Legal
Assistance Project or VLP’s Consumer Advocacy and Bankruptcy Assistance Project. Please note that there are limited
time slots available for those activities and we expect them to fill quickly. Please contact the VLP by phone
(414-278-7722 or toll-free at 888-278-0633) or e-mail (vlp@legalaction.org), if you have any questions about these VLP projects.
Click here for the 2009 VLP Assistance Projects Sign-ups.
Click here for a 2009 Milwaukee Legal Assistance Calendar.
Pro Bono QDRO Project
- Volunteer Employee Benefit attorneys agree to assist
VLP and Legal Action attorneys on cases in which QDRO (Qualified Domestic
Relations Order) issues arise.
Consumer Advocacy & Bankruptcy Assistance Project
- Attorneys register to assess the merits of each client's case and provide legal advice.
Please be aware that there are a limited number of positions available and we expect them
to fill quickly. Click on the link above for 2009 sign-up forms.
Click here for the 2009 Consumer/Bankruptcy Calender
The Benefits
Helping others, especially those who have no other options available, is often
its own reward. However, volunteers in our projects gain far more
than satisfaction. Our projects provide valuable experience.
As a VLP attorney, you can assist clients in need as well as advance your
career.
-
Free CLE training
-
Comprehensive manuals at no cost
-
Experience in several areas of law
-
Courtroom exposure and client contact
-
Malpractice insurance
-
Panels, projects and support so you can fulfill your
pro bono obligations
-
Recognition
-
Flexibility - you may accept or reject cases as your
schedule dictates
Getting Involved
Lawyers in Wisconsin have a tradition of service to the community through pro bono
work. The VLP offers attorneys the opportunity to carry on this important
tradition. No matter what your level of experience or area of expertise,
Legal Action needs you because our clients need you.
If you are interested in VLP opportunities,
please call the VLP Project Coordinator at 414-278-7722 or toll free at 888-278-0633
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