Description:

The Family Law Self-Help Center is a stimulating, high-energy environment where walk-in customers, often with urgent issues, can request legal information regardless of their income, assets, or citizenship.

Located in the Family Law Courthouse, the Family Law Self-Help Center is a legal “emergency room” for pro se litigants navigating the court system. The center provides legal information and court forms to walk-in customers who need guidance in filing or managing their family court case. The clerk will gain vast experience in issue spotting, applying the rules of civil procedure, interviewing and communicating court processes with individuals, and analyzing a variety of documents, all under the supervision of a directing attorney. Common issues addressed at the self-help center include divorce, custody, guardianship, name changes, motion practice, and trial preparation.

Applicants who have completed their first year of law school and taught a family law community education class will be given preference. Students will be trained in the relevant areas of law and supervised by one attorney. The immediate assistance the student will provide to the public has the potential to significantly affect the lives of individuals unfamiliar with the court system. Students may also work on projects, such as form creation and design, which will have a lasting impact on our customer community. The time commitment is a minimum of 15 hours per week under public interest grants if applicable, or at the pay rate of $18.00 per hour.