Public Works

Pro Bono Opportunity with ConSource

The Constitutional Sources Project is seeking students to work on a pro bono project involving an online library of constitutional sources. ConSource is a nonprofit located in Washington, D.C., which was founded to facilitate research, increase understanding, and encourage discussion of the U.S. Constitution by creating and maintaining the first, free, full-indexed, comprehensive online library of constitutional sources.

Student volunteers will read online documents written by U.S. Founders and cross-reference

relevant text to predetermined clauses in the Constitution. Students will enjoy location and time flexibility, completing work on their own schedule and from their own internet connection. 

The hours are flexible (anywhere from 5 to 50 hours depending on student availability), and the project is expected to be completed by August 15 2009.

To Apply: Interested students should submit a resume to lawprobono@virginia.edu by Monday, June 22, 2009, by 5:00pm.

This project satisfies the 75-hour Pro Bono Challenge.

Pro Bono Opportunity with D.C. Public Defender Service

The D.C. Public Defender Service is seeking a volunteer to provide assistance on a legislative project involving juvenile justice. The project relates to these types of offenses.

Ideally, one student would undertake the project but the assignment can be divided into three sub-projects. The first and second sub-projects will require no more than 8 hours; the third, no more than 2-3 hours.

The project is set to be completed on April 3.

To Apply: please submit a resume and short statement of interest to lawprobono@virginia.edu by Thursday, March 19, 2009, at 5:00 pm.

This project satisfies the 75-hour Pro Bono Challenge.

Pro Bono Opportunity with Lenhart Obenshain (Family Law)

Lenhart Obenshain, P.C. is seeking a student volunteer to provide research assistance on a pro bono family law case involving an asylum matter (stemming from a claim of fear of persecution in a southeast Asian country).

The estimated time commitment is 10 hours total and the project must be completed by March 26. The supervising attorney is a double-hoo (obtained both his undergraduate and law degrees from Virginia).

To Apply: please submit a resume and short statement of interest to lawprobono@virginia.edu by Thursday, March 19, 2009, at 5:00 pm.

This project satisfies the 75-hour Pro Bono Challenge.

Mediation Pro Bono Project

 The Mediation Center of Charlottesville is seeking a student volunteer to help with client orientations, screenings, and updates over the phone. The clients are generally referred by the Juvenile & Domestic Relations Courts (Albemarle, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa). Their cases involve disputes related to custody, visitation, and child support. 

The work, which will be ongoing, involves speaking with people who are often under stress; patience and a good sense of humor is needed. They would like to have a student begin volunteering now and if possible continue into the summer. If the student cannot continue into the summer, they will try to find another volunteer for the summer. The volunteer will be expected to work 4-8 hours a week, though the schedule is flexible.

The volunteer will need to have a car.  Finally, the Mediation Center hopes that students that have taken a course in Domestic Relations will apply.

To Apply:  Interested students should submit a resume and short statement of interest to lawprobono@virginia.edu by Monday, March 16, 2009, at 5:00 pm.

Image courtesy  | This project satisfies the 75-hour Pro Bono Challenge.

Pro Bono Opportunity with Charlottesville Civil Rights Attorneys

Two civil rights attorneys in Charlottesville are seeking two students to work on a pro bono project involving claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Volunteers will conduct legal research on ADA claims for blind prisoners and factual research on accommodations for blind prisoners.

The hours are flexible and the project is expected to be completed by mid-March. 

To Apply:  Interested students should submit a resume and short statement of interest to lawprobono@virginia.edu by Monday, February 23, 2009, at 5:00 pm.

This project satisfies the 75-hour Pro Bono Challenge.

Pro Bono Opportunity with a Washington, DC Attorney

An attorney in Washington, DC is seeking one 2L or 3L volunteer to research constitutional law issues involving petitioning the government for redress when a contractual agreement prohibited a franchisee from discussing matters surrounding termination.

The student should be a second or third year student who has taken Constitutional law courses.  The estimated time commitment for the project is five-ten hours per week, and the project must be completed by June 1, 2009.

To apply:  Interested students should submit a resume and short statement of interest to lawprobono@virginia.edu by Monday, March 2, 2009 at 5:00 pm.

This project satisfies the 75-hour Pro Bono Challenge.

Pro Bono Opportunity in an Employment Discrimination Case

An attorney in New Jersey is seeking one or two students to work on a pro bono project involving legal research for an employment discrimination case pending in federal courts.  The student(s) will conduct research on the question of whether a parent company of a retailer-owned cooperative can be held liable for the actions of a co-op member, and if a licensor can be held liable for the actions of its licensee.

The estimated time commitment for this project is two hours per week with an expected completion date of February 28, 2009.

To apply:  Interested students should submit a resume and short statement of interest to lawprobono@virginia.edu by Friday, February 13, 2009 at 5:00 pm.

Legal Outreach Program Volunteer Opportunity

The Virginia Law Pro Bono Program is seeking a volunteer to assist the Legal Outreach Program. Legal Outreach Program participants volunteer weekly to do client intake for the Legal Aid Justice Center at area soup kitchens, homeless shelters and low-income housing projects.

The student must have a car and be able to volunteer on Mondays or Wednesdays from 12:00pm-1:00pm.

To apply:  Interested students should submit a resume and short statement of interest to lawprobono@virginia.edu by Monday, February 23, 2009 at 5:00 pm.

Pro Bono Opportunity: Violence Against Women and Reproductive Rights

Last semester, the Human Rights Clinic drafted a 16-page memo for the Center for Reproductive Rights, International Program on the intersections between violence against women (VAW) and reproductive rights. Professor Hurwitz seeks one second- or third-year student (at most two) to finalize the draft memo by the end of February.  The student(s) will work closely with Professor Hurwitz and may also be in direct contact with CRR’s International Advocacy Director. For more information about the specifics of the project and memo, please contact Professor Hurwitz.

Preferred Requirements:   Strong writing and editing skills; knowledge of reproductive rights and a general understanding of violence against women to be able to make the links.

Minimum Requirements:  Strong writing and editing skills.

Deadline:   Final memo needs to be completed by February 27, 2009

To Apply: Please send a resume and short statement of interest to lawprobono@virginia.edu by Monday, February 2, 2009 at 5:00pm.

This project satisfies the 75-hour Pro Bono Challenge.

Pro Bono Opportunity with Blue Ridge Legal Services

Blue Ridge Legal Services, a nonprofit charitable law firm located in Harrisonburg, VA, is seeking a first or second year student to work on a pro bono project involving poverty law issues. The student will help provide legal assistance to low income individuals in the Shenandoah Valley and may work on a variety of assignments, including landlord tenant disputes, family law matters, domestic violence disputes, consumer protection issues, debtor rights, and public benefits, among others.

The student will conduct legal research, participate in client interviewing and fact finding, draft documents, and accompany staff to court appearances, schedule permitting.

The estimated time commitment is 4-8 hours per week and the student will need access to a car.

To Apply: Interested students should submit a resume and short statement of interest to lawprobono@virginia.edu by Monday, February 2, 2009 at 5:00pm.

This project satisfies the 75-hour Pro Bono Challenge.