s U d Len ur Yo wers: o p r e Sup
Volunteering for a Legal Clinic or Pro Bono Case is Easier than Ever
Judge Erin B. O’Connell Co-chair of the New Mexico Access to Justice Commission and the Second Judicial District Court Pro Bono Committee Judge Jane C. Levy Co-chair of the Second Judicial District Court Pro Bono Committee
You may not wear a cape but you have a superpower—you are a lawyer.
For countless New Mexicans who need help with their civil case, the lightest touch by you is equivalent to being rescued by Batman, Robin, and Batwoman all at the same time. If you haven’t had the chance to consult at a free legal clinic or to take a case pro bono this year, we can help. Does
any of this sound familiar to you? • I don’t have much time to commit to pro bono representation. • I don’t feel qualified in the areas where pro bono help is needed most. • I have no training or experience in the areas where pro bono help is needed. • I am concerned about legal liability or having to rely on my professional liability insurance. • I live out of state so can’t attend a clinic or otherwise help. If one or more of these thoughts have been barriers for you, we’ve got you covered. “In times of crisis, the wise build bridges while the foolish build barriers.” - T’Challa, Black Panther.
I don’t have much time to commit to pro bono representation. No problem!
Statewide monthly legal clinics are only four hours long, and you can volunteer for all or part of that time. The Pro Bono Committees of your Judicial Districts and Legal Aid now facilitate free legal clinics that are monthly, virtual and statewide. The statewide monthly legal clinics are every third Thursday of the month from 1–4 p.m. Here’s how it works: You sign up with New Mexico Legal Aid’s Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP) to help in a given month and you inform Legal Aid of your practice areas. Legal Aid will match you with clients for a consultation and will send you a case intake for each client. You will meet with each client virtually by phone or video. Clients are told to be available in a certain timeframe, for example, between 1–2 p.m., and each assigned client will wait for you to contact them to discuss their legal problem. Call or email Jaime Mayfield at Legal Aid at 505-768-6117, or JaimeM@nmlegalaid.org, to sign up to assist at a monthly clinic, or to be put on the list of potentially available attorneys to take a case pro bono in the areas you specify.
Bar Bulletin - May 11, 2022 - Volume 61, No. 9
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