Volunteer

Washington, DC has one of the highest poverty rates in the nation. This means that many in our community cannot afford the justice they deserve.

Your service helps provide access to justice for our most vulnerable neighbors.

Attorneys

Law Students

Professionals

Washington, DC has one of the highest poverty rates in the nation. This means that many in our community cannot afford the justice they deserve.

Your service helps provide access to justice for our most vulnerable neighbors.

Why Volunteer?

Each volunteer who works with us is critical in pursuing a vision of justice for our neighbors rooted in our Christian faith. CLADC is a faith-based organization where staff and volunteer leaders are practicing Christians. We serve clients of any faith or none, and we welcome volunteers of any background.

“For You [Lord] have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat…” – Isaiah 25:4

You enable employment.

CLADC Advisor Robert Rose helped Mr. B seal old criminal records that were still costing him jobs decades later. Mr. B can finally live without old transgressions hanging over his head and apply for jobs to raise his quality of life.

Mr. B, CLADC client

Ms. J, CLADC client

You stop illegal eviction.

Attorney Parker helped Ms. J after she lost her job while taking time off to defend herself against illegitimate eviction claims. With Ms. Parker’s help, Ms. J not only kept her apartment, she also received funds compensating her for her time and job loss.

You prevent homelessness.

Clinic Director Anna saved our client Ms. H from losing her housing voucher in the middle of the pandemic by advocating for her with two different housing authorities. Ms. H no longer had to fear being on the streets. She preserved her voucher and found a new place to live.

Ms. H, CLADC client
not her real photo

Your work is rewarding.

“It’s a great opportunity for me as an attorney to meet with real clients who need tangible help and expand the scope of my legal abilities. It’s so encouraging how the “next steps” that we can discern for the client can be of great benefit to those who may not have access to basic resources and advisements.” – Amanda W., Attorney

“People come with a problem, and as lawyers we help them sort the legal issues from the non-legal ones, and help move them a step or two forward in their journey with what legal tools we have… In volunteering, I am being impacted as much or more than the clients whom I am privileged to serve.” – Chad B., Attorney

“By partnering with the attorneys at CLADC I was able to gain so much practical experience in the legal field that I still use to this day. We are called to love our neighbors and I can think of no better way to use the gifts God has given me than to give back in the form of legal aid…I plan to continue volunteering for the entirety of my legal career.” – Will U., GW Law School Student

“He who has a generous eye will be blessed,
For he gives of his bread to the poor.” — Proverbs 22:9

Legal Clinics

Every month, we offer free legal clinics (currently held virtually). At each clinic, legal professionals and law students interview homeless and/or low-income clients to analyze the facts and issues of their case and determine what should be done to resolve it.

Learn More

Volunteers most often support clients with needs in one of our core practice areas:

  • Housing conditions and eviction defense
  • Criminal record sealing
  • Social Security benefits
  • Estate planning
  • Probate (including guardianship issues)

Even if you may not have much background in these areas, we encourage attorneys or law students to apply your skills on behalf of someone in need. You only need to be eager to learn.

At the clinics, volunteers typically work in teams of two, composed of one attorney and one law student, and meet two clients in two one-hour consultations.

If CLADC can help a client, the client will receive follow-up services after the initial consultation at the clinic. These follow-up services are also completed by volunteers, depending on volunteers’ time and capacity:

  • provide brief services after the clinic;
  • provide pro se coaching and follow-up with the client; and/or
  • provide extended representation through volunteer and staff attorneys.

Our staff provides all volunteers with training resources and mentorship to support clinic consultations and any follow-up services.

All legal professionals and law students are covered by CLADC’s legal malpractice insurance.

Attorneys

Law Students

Administrative Support

Criminal Record Sealing Case Support

We offer criminal record sealing services to clients on a rolling basis. Attorneys and law students can volunteer to work on these cases remotely.

Learn More

Once our staff team has reviewed a client’s records from the court and police department, and has determined that the client’s charges are eligible for record sealing, the case is ready to be assigned to a volunteer attorney.

Volunteer attorneys then provide the following services:

  • Carry out the initial consultation with the client and explain eligibility of charges
  • Draft required motions to seal or motions to set aside
  • File motions and communicate with Court and opposing counsel to ensure case progress
  • Notify client and explain final court orders

Volunteer law students may be involved in determining client eligibility or in supporting an attorney with an assigned case. Our staff provides all volunteers with training resources and mentorship to support work on record sealing cases.

All legal professionals and law students are covered by CLADC’s legal malpractice insurance.

Attorneys

Law Students

Referral Network

We always need attorneys willing to join our referral network. Our clients often need additional legal support that we don’t have the expertise or capacity to provide. We send these clients to one of our volunteer referral attorneys. You do not need to volunteer at a legal clinic to become a referral attorney.

Contact us to join our referral attorney network.

Attorneys

Marketing, Fundraising, and Administrative Support

Do you have a heart to serve your neighbors who can’t access justice? We regularly need volunteers who are skilled at communications, marketing, fundraising, event planning, administrative support and other areas.

General Professionals

Start Volunteering

If pursuing justice for your vulnerable neighbors ignites your passion, we need your help. Joining our volunteer team is simple. Fill out the form below indicating your area of interest and availability, and we will be in touch.