Volunteer Your Time and Build Your Skills at the YLD Walk-In Clinic

What is the WIC

The Walk-In Clinic (WIC) is located in the Public Law Library of the King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle. It began as a clinic sponsored, operated, and staffed by the KCBA’s Young Lawyers Division (YLD). Now it is part of KCBA's Pro Bono Neighborhood Legal Clinics. The WIC provides limited legal advice on civil matters to lay people and pro se litigants. Preference of WIC clients will be given to those that have a case pending in King County Superior Court/King County District Court or reside in King County. The Library staff will refer patrons to the clinic who have legal questions as opposed to resource questions. People requiring more comprehensive assistance or representation will be referred to other legal aid agencies as appropriate.

What to Expect

1. Provide assistance in filling out forms.
2. Explain legal terminology and documents such as briefs and motions, including formatting and applicable procedures.
3. Answer other procedural questions such as:
   • How many copies do I make?
   • What is a motion?  Where and how do I file one?
   • What are the local rules requirements to be used in trial preparation?
4. Refer self-represented litigants to other clinics, attorneys, or services as appropriate.

Law Students

The WIC needs intake volunteers too and it's perfect for law students. You'll gain valuable experience working with clients in need of legal services including client interviewing skills, legal issue spotting, ethics, and skills working with people from a wide range of backgrounds. Volunteers will learn about community resources in King County and legal issues which disproportionately affect low-income people.

Subject Areas

1. Family law (e.g., dissolution, parentage, child support, and child custody).
2. Domestic violence, protection orders (either party may be a potential client).
3. Appeal of administrative decisions (e.g., Employment Security, Worker’s Compensation, Department of Licensing, or DSHS).
4. Wrongful termination.
5. Landlord and tenant (though the emphasis would be for pro se landlords to avoid duplicating the KCBA’s Housing Justice Project’s work).
6. Probate matters.
7. Vacating/sealing criminal records and restoration of rights.
8. Motions practice (e.g., motion to vacate judgment).

WIC Facilities and Resources

1. The WIC is held in the Public Law Library of King County, which is on the 6th floor of the King County Courthouse.
2. The WIC operates every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
3. Volunteer Attorneys meet with WIC clients for no more than 30 minutes.
4. The Library has free wireless internet access so that Volunteers can access information during client consultations. Volunteer Attorneys are encouraged to bring a laptop with them to sessions.
5. The Library has access to electronic resources and hard copy materials.

Training

1. All KCBA volunteers are required to attend a 45-minute orientation program which is offered monthly. Completing this orientation within a short period of time after becoming a WIC Volunteer Attorney is acceptable.
2. Malpractice insurance for work at the WIC will be provided through KCBA to all registered volunteers who have passed the bar exam and are in good standing with the bar.
3. KCBA also provides its volunteers with access to lunchtime CLEs, which are 60-90 minute training sessions on specific topics (e.g., child support). These trainings are not mandatory, but are merely designed to provide additional and more comprehensive training to volunteers.
4. KCBA maintains a library of AV credit approved trainings on a variety of substantive law topics. These CLEs may be viewed for credit by all WIC volunteers.
5. The Public Law Library staff will introduce volunteers to available resources within the law library.  Any other WIC-specific training will occur at the WIC.

Questions? Interested in Volunteering?