Pro Bono
Legal Aid of Napa Valley welcomes the volunteer assistance of private sector attorneys and legal advocates who wish to help Napa County seniors, immigrants and low-income residents obtain equal access to justice.
We have a variety of pro bono opportunities to match your skills, interests and availability—from clinics to counseling to representing clients before judicial and administrative bodies on a full or limited basis. The services of Spanish/English bilingual attorneys and legal advocates are particularly needed. However, for pro bono attorneys who do not speak Spanish, Legal Aid can provide Spanish-language translation services as required.
Due to high demand for Legal Aid’s services, we especially need pro bono assistance in the following areas:
- Low-income (housing law, personal debt, employment)
- Family relations (domestic violence protection, divorce, child custody)
- Elder law (fraud, physical abuse, simple estate planning)
- Immigration law (immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and violent crime)
We have an office in downtown Napa, and we hold legal clinics at locations throughout Napa County. We are flexible about work schedules and will assign you to a matter and location that best fits your interests, needs and expertise. Pro bono attorneys receive free primary malpractice insurance under Legal Aid’s professional liability insurance policy.
Pro Bono Opportunities
Depending on your availability, skills and interests, you can assist Legal Aid on a pro bono basis in a variety of ways, including:
- Extended representation of a client within your expertise or experience
- Representation of a client on a limited basis with a specific issue, matter, and/or hearing
- Counseling individual clients on issues within your expertise at Legal Aid’s office and/or at clinics conducted by Legal Aid in American Canyon, Napa, St. Helena and Calistoga and other locations in Napa County
- Co-counseling with a Legal Aid staff attorney or legal advocate
- Mentoring Legal Aid staff attorneys and legal advocates in areas of your specialty
- Assisting Legal Aid with research and investigation of legal issues facing seniors, immigrants and low-income clients.
What Pro Bono Service Can Do for You
Representing clients on a pro bono matter provides attorneys and legal advocates with:
- Direct client contact
- Litigation and/or negotiation experience
- Expanded practice skills
- Publicity and recognition
- An opportunity to use your legal skills to enhance the administration of justice, help clients in need and improve our community as a whole.
How to Get Started
For more information on how you can volunteer to assist Legal Aid on a pro bono basis, please email or contact Marlo Cohen at 707.259.0579, or complete and return our pro bono application.