Help Our Cause

About Volunteering at Legal Services Alabama

Legal Services Alabama uses volunteers to assist our local offices and to help with under-served communities. By becoming involved with our organization, volunteers gain valuable legal experience and first-hand knowledge of how the public interest legal sector operates. Most importantly, volunteers will provide an invaluable service to low-income communities.

Job Description: Volunteers

As a volunteer, you will:

• Be trained in several areas of public interest law, such as family, housing, collection lawsuits, bankruptcy, public benefits, tax, education, and employment.

• Assist clients with the completion of intake questionnaires and applications.

• Work with Supervising Attorney to assist clients with their legal problems.

• Determine the eligibility of our clients by calculating income, learning about assets, and inquiring about factors that make clients eligible for legal services.

• Use knowledge of substantive law to develop and enhance intake questionnaires, as well as self-help materials for our clients.

• Learn interviewing techniques, case analysis, and issue spotting in areas of public interest law.

• Become a skilled listener, who will gather information in a considerate and respectful manner, analyze the facts, and apply substantive knowledge.

Volunteer Qualifications

• Sensitive and caring attitude

• Enthusiasm about assisting low income Alabamians

• Highly motivated to use your skills to assist the community

• Ability to work efficiently with people from diverse backgrounds

• Ability to communicate effectively individually (one-on-one) and/or present information in a group setting

• Able and willing to attend training sessions

• Understand the need and NOT profit financially or accept remuneration for services