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

Volunteer Application

Program Overview
The Newcomers Resource Project provides legal services for low-income immigrant and refugee residents of King County. The Project helps break down the barriers that newcomers face in accessing legal services. Our volunteer attorneys offer direct representation in a number of legal practice areas and mentor newer pro bono attorneys who wish to take cases. They also conduct legal education workshops for community groups. Our staff reaches out to community groups, screens clients, and provides interpretation and support materials for volunteer attorneys.

Volunteer Positions, Expectations, and Commitment

Volunteer Opportunities
Ability to speak another language is not a requirement as interpreters are provided. Volunteers must be comfortable working with clients from diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds.

• Direct Representation Volunteer Panels

Volunteer attorneys take cases for on-going assistance in the legal areas listed below. The Program staff screens clients for financial eligibility and determines the legal merit of each case. We then contact volunteer attorneys who may review the case and decide whether or not to accept it. Limited mentoring and volunteer training CLEs in key areas of law are available in the Newcomers Project. Volunteer attorneys provide direct representation in the following areas:
• 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, a community organization of Latino workers. Advocates at CASA Latina refer clients to the Newcomers Resource Project, whose staff places each case with a volunteer attorney in the manner described above. Previous experience or ability to speak Spanish is not necessary as we provide training and interpreters. A wage claim law training CLE is held annually and is available on DVD. In exchange for training, volunteer attorneys are expected to join our volunteer panel. Limited mentoring is available if needed.
• Legal Education Workshops

Volunteer attorneys conduct legal education workshops for immigrant and refugee community groups. Newcomers Project staff organizes and coordinates these workshops, providing interpreters if needed. Volunteers prepare and present material in their area of expertise on an array of legal topics (immigration, estate planning, family law, housing, tax, etc). This is an ad hoc commitment.
• Mentoring

Experienced attorneys offer their expertise to newer attorneys who wish to extend their own pro bono work areas. By being available to answer questions, supply document templates, or coach a newer attorney through a case, senior attorneys allow more low-income clients to be served.

Training and Support
The Newcomers Resource Project sponsors several substantive CLEs each year in practice areas relevant to working with low-income immigrant and refugee clients. These CLEs are free to those who agree to join our panel of volunteers. 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 Project staff provides support after placing a case with a volunteer to facilitate the communication with limited English proficient clients. We provide both interpretation and cultural competency materials. Poverty law materials, sample forms and pleadings, and, in limited cases, mentors, can also be provided upon request. KCBA office space is available by appointment for client meetings when needed.

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 a legal issue are confused by the legal system or wary of the process. Most do not know where to turn for help. Sadly, a number of the cases we see are a result of someone taking advantage of an individual because of immigration status, accent, or limited English proficiency. 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 an initial training 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 in the Newcomers Project, complete and return the appropriate application (available above) to CLS@KCBA.org with "Newcomers" in the subject line. Be sure to note your legal area(s) of expertise and interest. If you would like to view the Wage Claim CLE DVD, please mention it in your email. The program manager will contact new volunteers to learn more about their interests and experience and to provide informaiton about joining the volunteer panel.

For questions about taking cases for the Newcomers Resource Project or becoming involved in a legal education workshop, contact Ann Wennerstrom at 206.267.7027 or CLS@KCBA.org with "Newcomers" in the subject line.

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.