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Volunteer Resources & FAQs

Our Volunteer Lawyer Model

Volunteer Legal Advocates was founded to support the work of pro bono attorneys. Our 525 active annual volunteers are part of a team that includes a Supervising Attorney, a Client Advocate, and support staff. Volunteers may be assigned in pairs for additional support.

Admitted to the Bar Outside of DC or MD?

You’re still covered! If you have active membership in another U.S. state, you may practice in DC under the current Rules of Professional Responsibility and in MD under Rule 19-218.

Volunteer Legal Advocates Supervising Attorneys are in court daily, sitting alongside volunteers to guide them through hearings. They assist with witness prep, in-court advocacy, challenging opposing parties, and negotiating settlements. Outside of court, they review filings, edit examination questions, offer judge-specific insights, and advise on case strategy.

A dedicated Client Advocate works with clients on non-legal needs such as safety planning, crisis intervention, and referrals to essential services, allowing volunteers to focus on legal representation. Volunteers are further supported by a team of program coordinators who assign cases and interns who assist in gathering court records, conducting background checks, and preparing trial exhibits.

A team-based approach

Supervising Attorneys

Client Advocates

Learn More

Additional Volunteer Resources

Volunteer Legal Advocates offers dozens of in-person trainings annually, plus an on-demand training library. Volunteers also receive a monthly e-newsletter with legal updates, resources, and opportunities. We provide malpractice insurance, access to research tools, and private office space for volunteer-client meetings.

Training Hub Event Calendar

Volunteer Impact

ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS ANNUALLY

OF CLIENTS SURVEYED REPORTED INCREASED SAFETY AFTER SERVICES

$0M

PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES DONATED ANNUALLY

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Our Partners

We can’t do our work alone. We are grateful to work closely with local community organizations and agencies to ensure our clients receive the holistic services and support they need.

Our clients and their children frequently face job loss, food insecurity, housing instability, and limited access to quality healthcare. Our dedicated Client Advocates directly connect our clients to community partners for crisis response and intervention, safety planning, physical health services, substance use treatment, housing assistance, emotional wellness, and other critical needs.

Volunteer Legal Advocates is committed to providing trauma-informed legal services that address the comprehensive needs of our clients. Our attorneys, volunteers, and advocates help clients achieve long-term safety and stability by connecting survivors and at-risk children with our community partners for assistance during and after the closure of their cases.

DC Volunteer FAQs

Volunteer Legal Advocates volunteers handle domestic violence, family law, and immigration cases. They also serve as court-appointed guardians ad litem on behalf of children in complex custody cases.

Yes, attorneys who are inactive DC Bar members or members of another state’s bar can still volunteer with Volunteer Legal Advocates!

Under DC Court of Appeals Rule 49(c)(9)(A), attorneys affiliated with a non-profit organization and supervised by an enrolled, active DC Bar member may provide pro bono legal services if they fall within one of the following two groups:

Inactive or retired member of the D.C. Bar in good standing
Active, inactive, or retired member of the bar of another state or territory in good standing.

You cannot volunteer if you have been disbarred, suspended, or faced any other disciplinary action in any jurisdiction.

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, please email volunteer@volunteerlegaladvocates.org.

Volunteer Legal Advocates and our legal services organization partners provide training and mentoring in the relevant areas of law. We pair each attorney with an experienced Supervising Attorney who co-counsels on every case to provide support and backup. We also host optional supplemental training, including an annual trial skills refresher course, as well as ‘Lunch & Learn’ meetings on topics of interest to the practice of pro bono family law, such as evidence, practice tips, and online legal resources.

Volunteers have noted that our cases are compelling and present an opportunity to learn and cultivate meaningful relationships with others, including clients and fellow volunteers. Working on issues such as custody or domestic violence—where we can help our clients in immediate, tangible ways—is truly a unique opportunity.

As little or as much as you decide, depending on the type of case you handle. For instance, representing a domestic violence survivor in an action to obtain a civil protection order against an abuser can take as little as two weeks. In contrast, custody and guardian ad litem cases often extend longer but may include periods of inactivity lasting weeks.

Handling Volunteer Legal Advocates pro bono cases is an opportunity to use your law degree to help the community while working with similarly situated lawyers who provide support and collegiality. For those who wish to reenter the job market or advance their careers, handling pro bono cases offers an opportunity to hone their legal and professional skills while giving back to those in need.

Maryland Volunteer FAQs

Volunteers in our Montgomery County Program help domestic violence survivors achieve safety and independence by representing them in protection orders and family law cases.

Under Rule 19-218, a member of the Bar of another state who is employed by or associated with a legal services program may practice in Maryland pursuant to that program if (1) the individual is a graduate of a law school meeting the requirements of Rule 19-201 (a)(2) and (2) the individual will practice under the supervision of a member of the Bar of Maryland.

For assistance with proof of eligibility, please email volunteer@volunteerlegaladvocates.org.

To obtain authorization to practice under this Rule, the out-of-state attorney shall file with the Clerk of the Court of Appeals a written request accompanied by (1) evidence of graduation from a law school as defined in Rule 19-201 (a)(2), (2) a certificate of the highest court of another state certifying that the attorney is a member in good standing of the Bar of that state, and (3) a statement signed by the Executive Director of the legal services program that includes (A) a certification that the attorney is currently employed by or associated with the program, (B) a statement as to whether the attorney is receiving any compensation other than reimbursement of reasonable and necessary expenses, and (C) an agreement that, within ten days after cessation of the attorney’s employment or association, the Executive Director will file the Notice required by section (e) of this Rule.

Currently, Volunteer Legal Advocates’ volunteer program is only open to US bar-admitted attorneys.

Volunteer Legal Advocates and our legal services organization partners provide training and mentoring in the relevant areas of law. We pair each attorney with a co-counsel on every case to provide support and backup. We also host optional supplemental training, including an annual trial skills refresher course, as well as ‘Lunch & Learn’ meetings on topics of interest to the practice of pro bono family law, such as evidence, practice tips, and online legal resources.

As little or as much as you decide, depending on the type of case you handle. For instance, representing a domestic violence survivor in an action to obtain a civil protection order against an abuser can take as little as two weeks. In contrast, custody and guardian ad litem cases extend longer but often include weeks without activity.

Handling Volunteer Legal Advocates pro bono cases is an opportunity to use your law degree to help the community while working with similarly situated lawyers who provide support and collegiality. For those who may wish to reenter the job market or further their careers, handling pro bono cases provides an opportunity to hone your legal and professional skills while giving back to those in need.

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