MAKE AN IMPACT

 

 

 

Please complete a volunteer sign up form

 

The provision of legal services helps stabilize families, saves taxpayers money, reduces the number of cases clogging the courts, and helps people move toward self-sufficiency.  MVL provides legal services to those at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines; please consider giving a few hours of your time to those in your community who could not otherwise afford civil legal services.

We have several volunteer opportunities for attorneys, mediators, paralegals and law students to meet your needs:

 

Referral Program:  MVL’s Referral Program coordinates volunteer attorneys to provide pro bono legal services for the following types of cases:

Family Law
Elder Law
Probate
Consumer and Financial
Bankruptcy
Public Benefits
Housing

 

Legal Clinic at the Denver Indian Center: Metro Volunteer Lawyers began working in the Spring of 2012 with the Denver Indian Center to provide a walk-in clinic each month aimed at helping Native Americans in need of legal services. The project was initiated by two Native American attorneys: Dianne Van Voorhees, MVL’s past Director, and Danielle L. Demkowicz, a former MVL Board Member. The first clinic was held on April 4, 2012 and soon became a monthly event. The clinic meets at the Denver Indian Center in Denver, Colorado on the first Wednesday of every month. Attorneys volunteer their time to help with resource referral, understanding the legal process, and how to proceed as a pro-se party. Opportunities available for attorneys, law students and paralegals.

 

WHERE: The Denver Indian Center 4407 Morrison Rd Denver, CO 80219 

WHEN: First Wednesday of Every Month 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

 

Power of Attorney Workshop: Metro Volunteer Lawyers works with low-income senior centers to assist applicants in completing various advance planning documents, including:

• medical power of attorney,
• financial/general durable power of attorney, 
• advance health care directive (living will), and/or
• declaration of disposition of last remains. 

Through our relationships with local senior centers, MVL is able to educate seniors regarding the various documents, important considerations, and how they can be individualized to meet each applicant's needs.  MVL staff then screens interested applicants to determine if they are eligible for free legal services through MVL.  Eligible applicants are assigned to volunteer attorneys who assists the applicant by drafting the documents according to the applicant's desires.   All forms are provided by MVL. MVL staff is present and available to notarize and witness the documents. Each workshop typically lasts 3 hours, during which time each volunteer attorney would meet with 3 clients for an hour each. This is a wonderful opportunity for volunteer attorneys to provide seniors with much needed comfort and peace of mind.

 

The vast majority of applicants served by MVL need assistance with domestic relations cases.  In addition to our Referral Program, MVL offers various family law clinics designed to assist applicants:
 

Family Law Court Program: Through the Family Law Court Program (“FLCP”), we assist clients with uncomplicated, uncontested family law matters. FLCP clients represent themselves, appearing pro se, but are guided through the process by MVL. FLCP is a fantastic opportunity for attorneys who are interested in assisting with family law matters but perhaps do not regularly practice in this area.

Volunteers assist clients through FLCP on an unbundled basis. Each session is approximately 2-4 hours, and the volunteers’ representation ends at the conclusion of the clinic. There are two phases of FLCP where we use volunteers: Client Meetings and Permanent Orders Hearings.

At Client Meetings, volunteers help clients complete the documents necessary to file a dissolution of marriage or allocation of parental responsibilities case. The documents vary depending on the case, but typically include a Motion to Waive the Filing Fee, a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage or Allocation of Parental Responsibility, a Sworn Financial Statement, and a Service of Process questionnaire. Attorneys, paralegals, and law students are all welcome to volunteer at Client Meetings.

For Permanent Orders Hearings, volunteer attorneys help prepare the final paperwork required and represent clients at the Court hearing. No experience in family law is necessary as MVL provides all the necessary paperwork and guides you through the process.  

 

Family Law Advice and Guidance: Through the Family Law Advice and Guidance Program, experienced family law volunteers provide unbundled legal services to low-income families needing assistance with pre- and post-decree dissolution of marriage or allocation of parental responsibility cases by focusing on problem-solving through:

• Limited scope advice,
• Drafting assistance,
• Mediation preparation, and
• Pro-se court preparation

Volunteers are provided with a case file in advance of each consultation in order to prepare. Before, during and after the consultation, MVL staff is available to provide court forms or other information to the applicants as directed by volunteers. Opportunities for volunteers include remote clinics and in-person programing.

 

Mediation Program:  MVL works with volunteer mediators to provide pro bono mediation services to family law applicants who are unable to afford mediation services.