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Legal Services for Children: 50 Years of Youth Advocacy

Pro Bono Panel

A group of attorneys on LSC's Pro Bono Panel receiving an award on a rooftop terrace

As a Bay Area lawyer, you can make a difference for a young person by volunteering as a pro bono attorney with Legal Services for Children.

No matter your area of legal expertise, you have the skills to advocate for a child at a time of crisis. While every client is different, and every case brings its unique challenges, the pro bono experience is incredibly rewarding. And we do everything possible to help you achieve the best result for your client.

The Pro Bono Experience

Here, Jahmal Davis, Partner at Hanson Bridgett LLP, speaks to the life-changing impact of pro bono advocacy. Legal Services for Children: The Pro Bono Experience

Cases you might work on as a pro bono volunteer with LSC include:

Guardianship Cases — Represent a child in Probate Court to appoint a non-parent caretaker of their choice.  About 40 hours over nine months.

Expulsion Defense Cases — Represent a child in a school exclusion process to protect their due process rights and educational goals. About 20 hours over two months.

Immigration Cases — Represent a child in immigration proceedings to obtain legal status in the U.S. and protect them from removal. About 100 hours in the first year.

We support you and your client — When you take a case, we assign an experienced mentor attorney to answer your questions, review your drafts, and strategize with you throughout the case. We assign your client an LSC social worker to help them with non-legal challenges they are facing.

We train you — Most first-time pro bono attorneys do not have a background in our core areas of practice. We provide trainings, templates, and reference manuals on substantive law and the best practices for working with young clients.

Volunteer on your own or with a team — We work with individual attorneys and attorney teams, whether they are taking the case through their workplace or in their personal capacity. LSC malpractice insurance covers all volunteers.

You have enough time — We send out periodic emails with case opportunities to our pro bono panel members. You can accept a case whenever it fits your schedule.

If you are interested in becoming an LSC Pro Bono Attorney, complete our online application. Email any questions you have to probono@lsc-sf.org.