Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project
Maine Workers' Rights Legal Clinic
Support Maine Workers who need legal advice on issues they are having at work.
Posted July 26, 2021
Background & Context
The Workers' Rights Legal Clinic began in 2018 as a collaboration between the Southern Maine Workers' Center and the Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project. The need for legal support of Maine workers is vast, and volunteer lawyers can provide much needed legal information and advice to folks who need it. During the pandemic, this need has only increased, and now volunteers are able to meet with workers from across the state, via phone or zoom.
Immediate Problem
Workers need help. We need more volunteers to staff the clinic, taking place on Thursdays between 5-7pm.
Work & Deliverables
A lawyer needs to be available to provide 30 minute consultations between 5pm-7pm on a Thursday evening they have previously signed up for. The client information and paperwork will be provided by the VLP. The lawyer just needs to show up to the clinic (now via Zoom) and be prepared to give general legal advice to a Maine worker.
Preparation Phase
- Staff at the VLP will explain how the clinic works and ensure it is a good fit
Collaboration Phase
- Attorneys will sign up to shadow/ staff the clinic when available.
Wrap Up
- Attorneys will provide consults to clients at the clinic
- Attorneys will communicate with VLP Staff about client follow up.
Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project
The mission of the Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project is to increase access to justice in Maine through volunteer engagement. To achieve this end, the VLP acts as a nexus, connecting pro bono attorneys and individuals with civil legal issues who cannot afford attorneys. Volunteers are involved in every stage - from intake to strategic planning. In 1983, Pine Tree Legal Assistance (PTLA) partnered with the Maine Justice Foundation to create a project dedicated to engaging volunteers in providing civil legal aid. The VLP has a small staff that recruits, trains, manages, and supports volunteers. In most VLP cases, the legal assistance is provided by pro bono attorney volunteers. Student and community volunteers conduct intake interviews, provide legal information, organize clinics, and help develop new service projects.
Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project
The mission of the Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project is to increase access to justice in Maine through volunteer engagement. To achieve this end, the VLP acts as a nexus, connecting pro bono attorneys and individuals with civil legal issues who cannot afford attorneys. Volunteers are involved in every stage - from intake to strategic planning. In 1983, Pine Tree Legal Assistance (PTLA) partnered with the Maine Justice Foundation to create a project dedicated to engaging volunteers in providing civil legal aid. The VLP has a small staff that recruits, trains, manages, and supports volunteers. In most VLP cases, the legal assistance is provided by pro bono attorney volunteers. Student and community volunteers conduct intake interviews, provide legal information, organize clinics, and help develop new service projects.