NEWCOMERS RESOURCE PROJECT

For client information, please visit Community Legal Services’ Free Legal Assistance page.

Volunteer Application

Program Overview
The Newcomers Resource Project provides direct representation by volunteer attorneys for low-income immigrant, refugee and newcomer residents of King County. The Project develops programs that break through the barriers immigrants, refugees and newcomers face in accessing legal services. In order to address those barriers we provide direct representation in a number of legal practice areas, legal education workshops for communities, and legal clinics.

Volunteer Positions, Expectations, and Commitment

Volunteer Opportunities
Ability to speak another language is not a requirement as interpreters are provided.

• Direct Representation Volunteer Panels
  Volunteer attorneys take cases for on-going assistance in the legal areas listed below. Volunteers must be comfortable working with clients from diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds. After eligible clients’ cases are screened for legal merit, volunteer attorneys are contacted for potential placement and may choose to take the case or not. Extensive training and mentoring are not available at this time. Volunteer attorneys provide on going legal assistance in the following area:
  • Bankruptcy (Chapter 7 only)
  • Consumer Issues
  • Family
  • Housing
  • Public Benefits
  • Real Estate
  • Criminal Records
  • Tort Defense
  • Uncontested Guardianship
  • Wage Claims
  • Wills and Estate Planning
• Wage Claim Project
  The Wage Claim Project is a partnership between the Newcomers Resource Project and CASA Latina. Cases are referred to the Newcomers Resource Project by advocates at CASA Latina and are placed with volunteer attorneys in a manner similar to described above. Previous experience or ability to speak Spanish is not necessary as we provide training and interpreters. Training is held annually and available on DVD. In exchange for training, volunteer attorneys are expected to take at least one pro bono case for direct representation in the year of the training. Mentoring is available upon request.
• Legal Education Workshops
  Legal Education Workshops for social service agencies and community groups are provided on an array of legal topics (immigration, estate planning, family law, housing, etc). Volunteers prepare and present material in an area of expertise. This is an ad hoc commitment.
• Neighborhood Legal Clinics
  Three Neighborhood Legal Clinics provide a half hour advice and consultation appointment with an attorney. In a typical two hour shift, NLC attorneys will be scheduled to meet with 4 to 6 clients for up to 30 minutes each. Volunteers are placed at a clinic and enter into a schedule rotation with other volunteers at that clinic. Typically the schedule is written each quarter. Clinics are two hours in length and volunteers generally work one clinic every 4 to 8 weeks. Volunteers may participate at more than one clinic. We ask for a one year minimum commitment.

  Volunteer attorneys at the Immigration Legal Clinic must already specialize in immigration. Attorneys volunteering at the Bilingual Spanish and International District Legal Clinics will field all types of civil legal issues and are not required to have a second language.

  • Bilingual Spanish, Immigration, and International District Legal Clinics

Training and Support
The Newcomers Resource Project sponsors several substantive CLEs each year in practice areas relevant to working with low-income clients, including wage claims. These CLEs are free to volunteer attorneys who agree to take a case within the next calendar year. CLE announcements are distributed to all program volunteers via email and posted in the Bar Bulletin. Many CLEs are recorded and available in the CLS Training Library.

Newcomers’ staff provides support after placing a case with a volunteer primarily in the form of helping in communication with limited English proficient clients. Poverty law materials, sample forms and pleadings, and, in limited cases, mentors can be provided upon request. KCBA office space is available by appointment for client meetings when needed. Interpreters are provided for clients with limited English proficiency. Malpractice insurance is provided by KCBA for cases taken through the Newcomers Resource Project.

To view up-coming training opportunities with this and other programs, visit the Free Trainings for Volunteers page.

Benefits of Volunteering

Many of the clients who approach us for help with their legal issue are confused by the legal system, the process, and don’t know where to turn for help. Sadly, a number of the cases we see through the project are a result of someone taking advantage of an individual because of their immigration status, accent, or their being limited English proficient. Newcomer volunteers enjoy the rewarding experience of helping immigrant clients who otherwise would not have access to legal advice or representation.

Attorneys can earn Continuing Legal Education credit for the initial CLE as well as for pro bono activity in the same calendar year as the CLE. In addition to the malpractice insurance maintained by a volunteer and/or their firm (which serves as the volunteer's primary insurance), KCBA provides volunteers with secondary malpractice insurance for all cases referred through the program.

Ready to volunteer?
To begin taking cases for low-income, immigrant individuals in need, complete and return the appropriate application (available above) to CLS@kcba.org with the subject Newcomers Volunteer. Be sure to note your legal area(s) of expertise and interest. If you are interested in viewing the Wage Claim CLE DVD, please make sure to mention it. The program manager will contact new volunteers with information about viewing the DVD, the next opportunity for training, or the direct representation volunteer panels. New volunteers may also sign up for a Community Legal Services-sponsored CLE and should indicate an interest in taking cases in that area for the Newcomers Project.

For questions about taking cases for the Newcomers Resource Project or becoming involved in a legal education workshop, contact Victoria at 206.267.7027 or CLS@kcba.org. Volunteers interested in the three Neighborhood Legal Clinics related to the Newcomers Resource Project should visit the NLC webpage and then contact Rebecca at 206.267.7029 or CLS@kcba.org.

To view up-coming training opportunities with this and other programs, visit the Free Trainings for Volunteers page.

The mission of the Newcomers Resource Project is to develop programs that break through the barriers immigrants, refugees and newcomers face in accessing legal services.

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