Law students develop client skills through volunteer opportunities.
Law students can gain experience working with clients by participating in volunteer programs. These programs are designed to help expose law students to specialty practice areas and let them see how the law is applied in real-life situations.
Types
The types of volunteer opportunities available to law students include pro bono programs at law schools and volunteer programs at nonprofits. For example, Legal Aid of Western Ohio offers several opportunities to students in areas such as immigration, civil rights and family law. Students at the University of South Carolina can volunteer as juvenile arbitrators or screeners for fraud programs.
Features
Law students who participate in volunteer programs perform tasks such as staffing a legal hotline and completing intakes or preparing motions and explaining the court process to clients. Students in their first, second or third year can participate in volunteer programs. However, some opportunities may be reserved for second- or third-year students.
Benefits
Law student volunteer opportunities are beneficial because students get the opportunity to explore potential future practice areas such as criminal, civil and family law. Students in volunteer programs develop client skills and help people in the community who are in need of legal assistance.
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