Volunteer Portal Coming Soon!

You will be able to select client matters from a list of available opportunities, update your contact information, access resources, check for conflicts, and more!

Volunteer Opportunities & Trainings

JustCause is primarily a volunteer-based organization that assists clients in two ways:

1. Referring clients to attorneys for direct representation. JustCause’s pro bono cases awaiting placement
2. Providing legal advice and form completion services at one of our legal clinics

Volunteers are welcome to choose the pro bono opportunity that best suits their needs and interests. JustCause also seeks volunteers to provide support to JustCause’s staff attorneys. Our goal is to make volunteering a satisfying experience that will work within your busy schedule. 

Contact Louise Spinelli at Lspinelli@justcauseny.org or 585.683.0184 to register to accept pro bono cases in your area(s) of interest. Or indicate your information and preferences on this form to submit.

JustCause’s Volunteer Opportunities include:

Immigration and Family Preparedness Clinic

Clinics are ongoing

Location: Remote legal clinics

Contact Legal Advocate Irene Sanchez at isanchez@vlsprochester for more information.

Training Video [does not qualify for CLE credit]: The Future of DACA and What to Expect from the Biden Administration

On January 20, 2021, President Biden signed an executive order to “preserve and fortify” DACA.  The President is also expected to extend the program for four years while legislation is passed to create a path to citizenship.  This CLE will focus on the DACA application process and will provide an overview of the Biden administration’s future plans for the DACA program.

Training Video [does not qualify for CLE credit]: Family Based Immigration in a Nutshell
This CLE will prepare pro bono attorneys volunteering with JustCause’s Immigration program and discuss the fundamentals of the family-based immigration petition process.

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Tenant Defense Project

Volunteers are needed to assist clients facing eviction, both in and outside of court.
Contact attorney Mosunmola Ojo at  mojo@justcauseny.org or by phone at 585-683-8670.

Training Video [does not qualify for CLE credit]: Landlord Tenant Proceedings During Covid
The session will include the common types of landlord/tenant proceedings – nonpayment summary and holdover proceedings, explain the laws associated with these proceedings, describe how COVID has changed proceedings including explanation of laws associated with COVID changes, and explain expectations with representing clients in City and County courts. The program is designed to equip volunteers, especially those who have never practiced in this area, so that they can be better prepared to represent tenants in court.

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Federal Pro Se Assistance Program

Volunteer attorneys provide limited scope legal assistance to pro se litigants in civil matters in Federal Court. This program is appropriate for experienced federal court litigators or appellate attorneys. Must be admitted to the U.S. District Court Western District of New York. Currently operating remotely.  For more information, contact attorney Kristin Johnson at (585) 295-5709 or kjohnson@justcauseny.org

Family Law Clinic

Discuss feasibility of filing Family Court custody or visitation petitions. Assist in completing petition forms as needed. New volunteers are paired with experienced volunteers for training purposes. No family law experience necessary. Currently operating remotely. For more information contact attorney Mary Beth Conway, at (585) 295-5707 or mconway@justcauseny.org

Micro-Entrepreneur Clinic

Volunteer attorneys provide information about a business/legal topic of interest to small business micro-entrepreneurs.

Previous clinics were conducted on the topics of Choice of Entity, Financing, Intellectual Property & Taxation for Small Businesses.

Time: Varies

Frequency: Varies

Location: Varies

HELP-U Clinic

Attorneys at Harter Secrest and Emery LLP and the University of Rochester Office of Counsel prepare wills, health care proxies, powers of attorney and other documents for elderly and disabled clients living in Rochester Housing Authority

buildings. For more information, contact attorney Marlene Attardo at mattardo@justcauseny.org or (585) 295-5708.

Frequency: Varies

Location: Varies

The 7th Judicial District Help Center

Many individuals lack the necessary information about court procedures to adequately access justice. Volunteers provide procedural and legal information to unrepresented litigants at the Hall of Justice Law Library. A JustCause staff member will be present to help you if you need it. The Help Center does not provide legal advice. Currently operating remotely as a Virtual Help Center.

Sign up to volunteer at the Help Center HERE

Time: Varies Monday-Friday, 1.5 or 2 hour shifts

Frequency: The Help Center is open during each week.

Location: Hall of Justice, 99 Exchange Blvd

Translation and Interpretation

Volunteer to provide translation or interpretation services. The need is most urgent in the areas of Spanish and American Sign Language.

Share Your Expertise

Act as co-counsel or mentor attorneys who have accepted case referrals in your practice area. Serve as a CLE panelist. Post materials and update JustCause’s library on probono.net. No IT experience necessary.

Other Volunteer Opportunities:

• Adoption
• Bankruptcy
• Consumer -e.g. Liens on bank accounts
• CPS Records Expungement
• Estate Administration for estates of limited value
• Foreclosure prevention
• Habitat for humanity closings and land contracts
• Landlord/Tenant problems other than eviction
• Name Changes (including transgender name changes)
• Real Estate -e.g. Deed Transfers
• Tax matters with IRS
• Tort Defense -defendants only
• Unemployment insurance benefits

JustCause offers volunteer opportunities to law students who wish to donate their time and learn about the pro bono legal services community by:

1. Assisting advocates with legal research and drafting court documents
2. Authoring materials for use in new substantive areas of representation and developing pro se materials for client use
3. Attending court with our advocates
4. Assisting JustCause staff and clients at clinics
5. Working with pro se clients on debt resolution, preparation of health care directives, and estate planning