Upholding Human Rights at Home Pro Bono Opportunities

DC Bar Immigration Legal Advice & Referral Clinic
Organization: D.C. Bar Association
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: http://39fn.3327e.com/pro-bono/what-we-do/immigration-legal-advice-referral-clinic
Contact Information: Jenadee Nanini, Managing Attorney jnanini@dcbar.org

About the Clinic

The clinic provides legal information, brief advice, and referral services through volunteer attorneys to individuals with civil legal problems governed by U.S. immigration laws.

The Pro Bono Center welcomes active barred attorney volunteers to complete client intakes and provide brief legal advice and information. All attorneys will be supervised and mentored by expert immigration attorneys. Expert mentors can volunteer if they are currently practicing immigration and have been for at least 3-5 years. We especially need volunteers who are fluent in Spanish, Amharic, French, Mandarin, or another language. Training, mentoring, sample pleadings and other resources are provided.

Clinics typically take place in person in March, June, September, and December in Columbia Heights. Volunteers arrive by 9 a.m. and remain until the last client is served, usually between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Immigration Legal Advice & Referral Clinic, please contact Managing Attorney Jenadee Nanini at jnanini@dcbar.org.

Legal Aid DC
Organization: Legal Aid DC
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: http://www.legalaiddc.org/who-we-are/pro-bono-program
Contact Information: probono@legalaiddc.org

Legal Aid DC provides direct representation to clients in four practice areas as well as its Reentry Justice and Immigrants' Rights Legal Services Projects. It also handles appeals on a broad range of poverty law issues through its nationally-recognized Barbara McDowell Appellate Advocacy Project and advocates for policies that will benefit its client community through its policy advocacy program.

About Legal Aid DC’s Pro Bono Program

Legal Aid DC’s Pro Bono Program greatly enhances Legal Aid DC’s ability to make justice real by expanding its impact and providing legal assistance and representation for hundreds of additional individuals and families in its community.

Over the years, Legal Aid DC has referred thousands of matters to private practice and government attorneys. Cases are screened initially by our attorneys and then referred to pro bono counsel. Legal Aid DC has training videos and written manuals available, and will provide expert mentoring. Legal Aid DC’s mentors are experienced attorneys available to answer questions, provide sample pleadings, and discuss relevant law and strategy with its pro bono attorneys.

In addition to case referrals, Legal Aid DC also welcomes law firm Loaned Associates in-house as part of its Legal Aid team. If you are an attorney and want more information about the Pro Bono Program and current pro bono opportunities, please send an email to probono@legalaiddc.org.

DC Refers – low bono lawyers network
Organization: DC Refers
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: http://dcrefers.org/
Contact Information: support@dcrefers.org

DC Refers is an online directory of lawyers and mediators who are willing to accept modest means clients (incomes within 200-400% of the federal poverty guidelines). If they accept your case, the lawyers and mediators will charge modest means clients reduced fee rates of between $75-150 per hour. The lawyers and mediators may charge their usual rates to clients with higher incomes.

To join lawyers must have minimum of two years in their field; Documentation: resume, proposed fee schedule, proof of liability insurance, and bar number; References: Two professional and two client references; and Application Fee: A non-refundable $50 fee.

To join network of lawyers and mediators complete this form along with the documents outlined above. For questions email support@dcrefers.org.

Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil and Urban Affairs
Organization: Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil and Urban Affairs
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: http://www.washlaw.org/get-involved/
Contact Information: probono@legalaiddc.org

About Pro Bono Cases

The Washington Lawyers’ Committee is always looking for co-counsel on important cases. If you want to receive regular emails with available matters, please email ryan_downer@washlaw.org. Or take a compassionate release or a parole matter or help at our workers’ rights clinic.

About the Workers’ Rights Clinic

The Washington Lawyers’ Committee has an exciting pro bono and volunteer opportunity in our Workers’ Rights Clinics for attorneys, non-attorneys, new associates, experienced practitioners, or persons looking for time limited or long-term commitment. The clinic provides advice on all areas of employment law at the clinic, including: unpaid wages, unpaid overtime, family and medical leave act (FMLA) violations, unemployment compensation, workers’ compensation, unlawful discrimination and harassment, barriers to employment based on arrest and conviction record, and wrongful termination.

Each week, we conduct clinics for low-waged workers. At the clinics we provide advice, brief serves, and screen cases for referrals or systemic litigation. No prior experience is necessary.  We provide training and Committee staff supervise and provide support to each clinic session. If you are interested, please fill out our Clinic Volunteer Interest Form.

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI)
Organization: U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
Location: Arlington, VA. See full list of locations
Website: http://refugees.org/
Contact Information: pals@uscrimail.org

Pro Bono Afghan Legal Services (PALS)

USCRI is offering free legal assistance to Afghans under its PALS program. By working with attorneys across the country, USCRI is connecting pro bono attorneys with Afghans who need assistance with their SIV applications, parole status, employment authorization documents, or other immigration legal matters.

If you are an attorney wishing to volunteer and provide legal services to Afghans, please email the PALS program at pals@uscrimail.org, or call 984-349-0080.

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (Previously known as CAIR Coalition)
Organization: Amica Center for Immigrant Rights
Location: Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia
Website: http://amicacenter.org/join-the-fight/become-a-pro-bono-partner/
Contact Information: Jennifer Grishkin, Managing Attorney for Pro Bono Coordination, at jennifer@amicacenter.org

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (previously known as CAIR Coalition) partners with attorneys from large law firms, corporate legal departments, law school clinics, and immigration law firms to represent as many immigrants who are detained or facing deportation as possible. The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights—formerly CAIR Coalition—engages in unwavering legal defense and strategic litigation for immigrant children and adults facing detention and deportation.

Attorneys with and without experience in litigation or immigration law can make a tremendous impact.

If you or your firm are interested in partnering with us, please contact Jennifer Grishkin, Managing Attorney for Pro Bono Coordination, at jennifer@amicacenter.org.

Additional Immigration Resources

ABA Rapid Response Immigration Legal Clinic Toolkit
Publication Date: December 2024
Organization: American Bar Association
Website: http://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/immigration/pro-bono-at-the-commission-on-immigration/free-resources/rapid-response-immigration-legal-clinic-toolkit-landing-page/

This Toolkit was created to empower legal service providers to design and implement rapid response immigration legal clinics that will help migrants and asylum-seekers prepare for challenges and protect their rights in an unpredictable and ever-changing legal landscape. The Toolkit is a “course in a box” that includes outlines, templates, and samples that can help legal service providers quickly and efficiently build rapid response clinics. The resources within this Toolkit are adaptable to meet the needs of a particular organization and noncitizen community.

In light of the anticipated rapid changes to immigration law and policy, the authors of this Toolkit endeavor to update information as it becomes available and will incorporate updated samples and template documents. Please check back for the most updated version.

ABA Pro Bono at the Commission on Immigration
Organization: American Bar Association
Website: http://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/immigration/pro-bono-at-the-commission-on-immigration/free-resources/

The Commission on Immigration has developed free resources to help you with your pro bono representation. View our library of written practice guides and recorded webinars. Check out the Commission's Events, Webinars and CLE page to view upcoming webinars.

Fill out our Volunteer Interest Survey to express an interest in volunteering, and read on to learn more.

Tahirih Justice Center
Organization: Tahirih Justice Center
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: http://www.tahirih.org/
Contact Information: Tahirih’s pro bono case placements are managed through local offices. If you have additional questions, please contact our team in Baltimore, MD at baltimore@tahirih.org or the Greater DC at greaterdc@tahirih.org.

The Tahirih Justice Center is a national, nonprofit organization that serves women, girls, and all immigrant survivors of gender-based violence. The Tahirih Justice Center takes a holistic approach to protecting its clients, offering a range of free immigration, family, and civil legal services, as well as access to critical social services case management.

Pro bono attorneys work with immigrant women and girls who are on U.S. soil and eligible for protection under federal immigration law. Tahirih places hundreds of cases with pro-bono attorneys each year. We specialize in and place the following types of cases: gender-based asylum petitions, T visa petitions for trafficking survivors, U visa petitions for survivors of certain serious crimes who cooperate with law enforcement, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions for domestic violence survivors who are abused by their U.S. citizen or permanent resident partner, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) petitions for girls who have been abused, abandoned or neglected. Pro bono attorneys may represent clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or in immigration court. From time to time we also work with pro bono attorneys in appellate matters and impact litigation.

Tahirih’s pro bono case placements are managed through local offices. If you have additional questions, please contact our team in Baltimore, MD at baltimore@tahirih.org or the Greater DC at greaterdc@tahirih.org.

Ayuda
Organization: Ayuda
Location: Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia
Website: http://ayuda.com/
Contact Information: Irfana Anwer, Pro Bono Managing Attorney, irfana.anwer@ayuda.com

Ayuda provides legal, social, and language services to help low-income immigrants in our neighborhoods access justice and transform their lives. Serving low-income immigrants throughout Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. Through Ayuda’s pro bono pipeline, pro bono attorneys are able to represent clients in immigrant matters such as T and U Visas, asylum applications, VAWA petitions, and immigration proceedings.

For more information, contact Pro Bono Managing Attorney, Irfana Anwer at irfana.anwer@ayuda.com.

Human Rights First
Organization: Human Rights First
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: http://humanrightsfirst.org/skill/lawyer/
Contact Information: dcprobono@humanrightsfirst.org

Human Rights First's mission is to ensure that the United States is a global leader on
human rights. The organization works in the United States and abroad to promote respect for  human rights and the rule of law.

About Human Rights First’s Refugee Representation program - Attorney Volunteers

Through Human Rights First’s Refugee Representation program, volunteer lawyers have the unique opportunity to change the lives of refugees by helping them win asylum in the United States. Our clients have fled from political, religious, ethnic, and gender-based persecution in countries plagued by human rights violations. They cannot afford counsel and desperately need representation. Volunteer lawyers learn about U.S. asylum law and international human rights law and then have the chance to represent individual clients at an asylum interview or a hearing before an immigration judge.

If you are an attorney interested in taking a pro bono case with Human Rights First, please contact: dcprobono@humanrightsfirst.org.

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Organization: Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Location: Washington, D.C. Please see the full list of locations
Website: http://supportkind.org/get-involved/pro-bono-attorney-program/
Contact Information: infodc@supportkind.org; 202-824-8680.

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is the preeminent international nongovernmental organization devoted to the protection of unaccompanied and separated children. KIND envisions a world in which every unaccompanied child on the move has access to legal representation and has their rights and well-being protected as they migrate alone in search of safety.

About the Pro Bono Attorney Program

KIND’s Pro Bono Attorney program is at the core of our work. We recruit volunteer lawyers from law firms, corporations, law schools, and bar associations and provide them with training, mentorship, and other resources to represent children. KIND pro bono attorneys work directly with children to help them build their cases, gain valuable courtroom experience, and develop expertise in a unique area of law. No immigration experience is necessary. Each pro bono attorney is assigned a KIND attorney for the duration of their case who provides guidance on case strategy, feedback on drafts, mock adjudications, samples, and checklists.

If you are interested in becoming a pro bono attorney, please fill out a brief form here.

CARECEN
Organization: CARECEN
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: http://carecendc.org/
Contact Information: info@carecendc.org; (202) 328-9799

CARECEN seeks to foster the comprehensive development of the Latino population by providing direct services while promoting grassroots empowerment, civic engagement, and human rights advocacy.

About Pro Bono Legal Services

CARECEN is looking for collaboration with pro bono attorneys to work on individual immigration cases and assist in other immigration-related work such as screenings for U-visa eligibility and Citizenship, and Brief Services. Casework may range from asylum, U-visas, Cancellation of Removal, Applications for Citizenship, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and representation in immigration court.

If you are interested in becoming a pro bono attorney, please fill out a brief form here.

HIAS
Organization: HIAS
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: http://hias.org/probono/
Contact Information: info@hias.org

HIAS’ global headquarters are located in Silver Spring, MD. HIAS assists over 150 asylum seekers in the Greater Washington, D.C. area with free legal representation. HIAS’ Pro Bono & Partnerships team engages volunteer attorneys from across the United States to help refugees, asylum seekers, and other forcibly displaced people access vital immigration legal services.

In addition to providing pro bono legal support to clients through our offices in the NYC and DC metropolitan areas, the Pro Bono & Partnerships team also works with organizations across the country, including HIAS’ Refugee Resettlement Partners, to identify and meet emerging needs. Our volunteer attorneys represent clients in immigration court and before USCIS, staff monthly remote legal clinics, provide limited scope representation to asylum seekers, conduct comprehensive legal research, help asylees and refugees apply for their green cards, and assist former refugees and asylees with applications for U.S. citizenship.

If you are interested in becoming a pro bono attorney, please fill out a brief form here.

Restoration Immigration Legal Aid
Organization: Restoration Immigration Legal Aid
Location: Arlington, Virginia
Website: http://www.restorationimmigration.org/volunteer
Contact Information: mel@restorationimmigration.org

RILA supports immigrants in our community by providing excellent, pro bono immigration legal assistance to those who are most vulnerable and who have the fewest resources. Attorneys with expertise in legal writing can assist with asylum briefs. We also welcome attorneys to serve by representing clients before USCIS and in state courts.

For more information, contact mel@restorationimmigration.org.

Asylum - Global Artists

Artistic Freedom Initiative
Organization: Artistic Freedom Initiative
Location: Headquarters in Brooklyn, NY
Website: http://artisticfreedominitiative.org/
Contact Information: info@artisticfreedominitiative.org or fill out the form at http://artisticfreedominitiative.org/contact-us/.

Led by immigration and human rights attorneys, Artistic Freedom Initiative (AFI) facilitates pro bono immigration representation and resettlement assistance for international artists at risk. AFI has successfully filed merit-based O and EB-1 visas, performance-based P visas, applications for permanent residence and naturalization, and petitions for asylum. Additionally, our legal partners have obtained work authorizations for every artist supported by our Resettlement Assistance program.

About AFI’s Legal Services for At-Risk Artists program

AFI’s Legal Services for At-Risk Artists program is designed to facilitate pro bono immigration services for at-risk artists fleeing persecution or censorship in their countries of origin. AFI has successfully built a robust network of pro bono attorneys dedicated to providing immigration representation to at-risk artists.

International Humanitarian Law

Red Cross International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Program
Organization: Red Cross
Location: Fairfax, Virginia. Please see the full list of chapter locations.
IHL Website: http://www.redcross.org/humanityinwar.html
American Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region Website: http://www.redcross.org/local/dc-va-md-de.html
Contact Information: IHLaw@redcross.org. For the Fairfax, VA chapter, please contact NCGCVolunteerService@redcross.org.

The American Red Cross provides opportunities to learn about international humanitarian law. This knowledge helps you understand issues related to international affairs and conflict, along with equipping you with insights to better understand past events and current conflicts reported in the media.

About International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Program

This FREE program offers a variety of courses and other opportunities that raise awareness about the Geneva Conventions, the basic rules of international humanitarian law, and the role of the Red Cross during armed conflict.

Global Justice Center - Using International Law to Achieve Gender Equality
Organization: Global Justice Center (GJC)
Location: New York
Website: http://www.globaljusticecenter.net/
Contact Information: Jaime M. Gher, Senior Legal Advisor, jaygher@gmail.com.

The Global Justice Center (GJC) also recently developed a crisis strategy to support the US movement in fighting for reproductive autonomy drawing on international law (IHL, IHRL and ICL) norms and seeking to integrate human rights framing and analysis into US litigation, law and policy making, and within the public discourse. Contact: Jaime M. Gher, Senior Legal Advisor, jaygher@gmail.com.

Whitman-Walker Health - LGBT Community Legal Services
Organization: Whitman-Walker Health
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: http://www.whitman-walker.org/health-services/legal-services/
Contact Information: contact-legal@whitman-walker.org

Whitman-Walker Health is a non-profit community-based health organization serving the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region.  We are open to everyone but offer specialties in HIV/AIDS care and in health care for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The legal team provides free help with health insurance appeals, work disputes, discrimination, Social Security disability applications and appeals, public benefits appeals, immigration matters, powers of attorney and wills, elder issues, medical privacy, and identity documents for trans and gender expansive clients, etc..

Anyone interested in volunteering with us should email us at contact-legal@whitman-walker.org and include your resume, your areas of interest, any relevant experience, your active bar memberships, if any, and your language skills. Whitman-Walker Health is especially in need of Spanish-speaking volunteers.

Amara Legal Center
Organization: Amara Legal Center
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: http://amaralegal.org/
Contact Information: info@amaralegal.org; (240) 257-6492

The Amara Legal Center looks at its work through a racial justice lens to provide free legal representation, access to support services, and advocacy for a more equitable legal system for individuals impacted by sex trafficking or involved in sex work in the DC-metro area. Amara provides free representation for some of the most common legal needs for sex trafficking survivors and sex workers: criminal record sealing, criminal defense, family law, child custody, child support, divorce, civil protection orders, and victim-witness advocacy.

If you are interested in becoming a pro bono attorney, please fill out a brief form here.

Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC)
Organization: Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC)
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: http://www.nvrdc.org/
Contact Information: probono@nvrdc.org

About NVRDC's Pro Bono Program

NVRDC aims to change the impact of victimization by providing holistic, comprehensive services to all crime victims. However, as we aim to serve all of our clients with excellence and integrity, our limited resources often force us to choose between two evils - turning away survivors seeking our help or risking jeopardizing the consistent quality of our services. This is where you can help!

If you are a licensed attorney who wants to have a positive impact on a survivor of crime's experience in a judicial system, NVRDC may give you the chance to volunteer your time in a supported and secure environment. NVRDC's Pro Bono Program offers opportunities for attorneys to represent survivors of crime in four different contexts: Crime Victims' Rights*, Civil Protection Order cases*, during a University-based on-campus judicial process administered under Title IX*, and during appeals.

DC Bar Pro Bono Center’s Advocacy & Justice Clinic
Organization: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center’s Advocacy & Justice Clinic
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: http://39fn.3327e.com/pro-bono/what-we-do/advocacy-justice-clinic
Contact Information: cliniccoordinator@dcbar.org

To help address the unmet legal needs of District residents living in poverty, the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center’s Advocacy and Justice Clinic coordinates pro bono representation for eligible clients with civil legal problems. Our volunteers represent clients in housing, public benefits, or custody cases with the experienced support of Pro Bono Center attorneys.

If you are interested in volunteering to represent a client, please complete the following Volunteer Questionnaire and then email your resume to AJClinic@dcbar.org. Once the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center reviews your materials and confirms you meet our volunteer criteria, we will contact you to schedule a brief virtual interview with Pro Bono Center staff.

Questions about the Advocacy & Justice Clinic? Email cliniccoordinator@dcbar.org.

Questions about the Pro Bono Center's other offerings, including training, brief advice clinics, or transactional opportunities? Please email probono@dcbar.org.