One of the most important things a law school will look for when considering your application is whether you have a passion for helping others through law volunteering. Law volunteering will also allow you to contribute your research skills, a key skill in the legal profession. However, law schools don’t always have the time to recruit volunteers, so they look for other ways to help their students get the most out of their time.
Another great way to gain valuable experience in the legal field is to volunteer for a district attorney’s office. In many cases, you can become an intern in a division of the office that specializes in a particular field. Some of the divisions you can volunteer within a district attorney’s office are Family Protection, Victim Assistance, Cold Case, and Special Operations. These internships can be very useful to those studying law because they will gain experience working with legal cases and political jargon.
If you’d like to volunteer your time as a lawyer, you can become a volunteer for a nonprofit organization. VOLS recruits over a thousand lawyers to help the underserved. You can even learn more about the field by reading the organization’s website. You can also find out about current volunteer opportunities and sign up online. You can also complete a Demographic Survey. VOLS will match you with an organization that best fits your skills.
What Volunteers Do
Volunteers are needed for a wide variety of legal needs. For example, if you want to help immigrants, you can help them file their immigration applications. Forensic accountants are often needed to find hidden sources of income, and paralegals can assist attorneys working with clients in other languages. The volunteer organization’s work is often critical to the success of these causes. And as they say, the law is in the service of helping people, so don’t forget to volunteer.
You can also receive financial assistance from the law organization you volunteer with. This can include funds for travel and nutrition expenses. Volunteer organizations may also take part in advisory or coordination bodies. Local governments and state bodies will be able to legally solicit volunteers for certain projects, and you may even get a promotion if your work is recognized. And you might even win prizes! And this is just the beginning. You’ll be surprised by the benefits of volunteering!
Volunteers in Human Rights First can help refugees win asylum in the United States. The organization also publishes a book that explains the Convention in-depth, and the reasons why the States have not yet ratified it. You’ll also learn about basic human rights, including freedom of speech, privacy, life, and a decent standard of living. Human Rights First volunteers fight injustices and help refugees gain asylum in the United States. If you’re a law student, you might want to consider volunteering as a way to meet these needs.
Benefits for Your Career
Volunteers in criminal law can apply for a public defender office position. Depending on the state, the public defender’s office’s volunteer work varies, but generally, volunteers will assist in trial preparation, legal research, investigation, witness preparation, and pretrial motions. Volunteers are also trained in trial preparation and motion hearings. Applicants must be 55 years of age and have ten years of experience. In addition to this, they are also exempt from paying the biennial registration fee.
Students who volunteer in the field of law can receive course credit, or be paid a monetary stipend. If you have a degree from a law school, volunteer work can qualify as a public interest fellowship. For more information, contact the law school where you plan to attend. The more experience you gain, the more valuable your legal education will be. Just remember to do your research and stay informed! Your education and future depend on it.
