Interested in learning about a field where you can truly make a difference? With the difficult economy, many individuals have suffered job loss and struggle from pay check to pay check to try and make ends meet. With enormous debt, constant collection calls and no end in sight, many look to bankruptcy as their final only hope. Bankruptcy was initially set up as a fresh start for the “Honest Debtor.” The Jerome L Holub Pro Bono Bankruptcy project is a collaborative project between the Akron Bar Association, Community Legal Aid, and The University of Akron School of Law. Law Student volunteers will receive substantive training on bankruptcy law and hands on experience conducting telephone interviews to gather information. You will be responsible for follow up research; document drafting as directed by an attorney; and one-on-one client meetings to review documents and build a bankruptcy file. You will also receive training on Best Case bankruptcy software and be given an opportunity to prepare a bankruptcy petition for filing whenever possible. You might also attend a 341 hearing and “Signing” appointment. The project is part of The Volunteer Legal Services Program (VLSP). VLSP is a program at Community Legal Aid that works with private attorneys willing to donate their time and talent to Legal Aid clients for little or no fee. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Cindy Adair at the Volunteer Legal Services Program at cadair@communitylegalaid.org.
Perhaps you have heard the term “Elder Law” in your travels. What about “Baby Boomers”? Most likely the person speaking or writing was referring to the very large population close to or at retirement age. The field of Elder Law is experiencing rapid growth to accommodate the Boomer generation. If you are interested in gaining experience in this emerging field, you may be interested in working with Legal Aid’s “Will Clinic Program.” Working with The Akron Bar Association and private attorney partners, the Volunteer Legal Services Program of Community Legal Aid provides eligible clients with simple estate planning documents: Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Powers of Attorney, and Living Wills. Clients meet with private attorneys to execute the documents in Will Clinics held in Summit, Stark, Mahoning, and Trumbull Counties each quarter. As Law Students volunteers, you would be responsible for working with clients to complete an Estate Planning Worksheet used by the clinic attorney. You would also be responsible for scheduling clients into the appropriate Will Clinic. When possible, you will be provided with an opportunity to draft Advance Directives, Durable Powers of Attorney, and Transfer on Death Affidavits. You will also be provided with an opportunity to assist attorneys at a Will Clinic (dependent upon your class schedule). The project is part of the Volunteer Legal Services Program (VLSP). VLSP is a program at Community Legal Aid that works with private attorneys willing to donate their time and talent to Legal Aid clients for little or no fee. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Cindy Adair at the Volunteer Legal Services Program at cadair@communitylegalaid.org.