As many of you are well aware, we are in the midst of a global health crisis due to the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19. For many industries, this has meant unprecedented layoffs as companies are being forced to shutter. Civil rights attorneys are needed now more than ever.
Many people think there is nothing we can do until this passes. But if you are looking to get your foot in the door, this is the precise moment where you can do some good while making a name for yourself.
Provide Free Legal Services to Those in Need
Right now, there are countless lay offs taking place as employers respond to the new restrictions on large gatherings and required restaurant/bar closures. For others, many may be (or have been) forced to quit their jobs to take care of their children due to school closures.
What that means for people is a whole lot more than an indefinite lost paycheck – which is troubling enough. It means lost healthcare and benefits. Limited or no ability to pay rent. Limited or no ability to buy groceries. And that means a whole host of people with a whole host of problems, many of whom need not only community aid but legal advice and, possibly, representation.
Let’s also not forget about the populations that are most vulnerable to exposure based on circumstances outside of their control: homeless and incarcerated individuals.
There are a slew of pro bono legal services you could provide to those in need, from helping displaced workers fill out UI forms to assisting families who are filing out applications for emergency food stamps to representing tenants in eviction proceedings to filing applications for prisoners who are seeking to be released under state clemency laws.
Of course, any time you provided limited scope representation, you need to make sure you are licensed, properly covered by malpractice insurance, and have clients sign representation agreements clearly delineating the limited scope of services you will be providing.
Volunteer with Specific Legal Aid and Community Organizations
For those of you who don’t have your own malpractice insurance, are not currently licensed to practice law (ex: law students), or don’t feel comfortable providing these services on your own, not to worry. There are many legal organizations that provide different forms of legal services as well as community organizations that provide other forms of relief.
In fact, volunteering through one of these organizations may be even more valuable to getting your name out there. Look up your local legal aid organization, the ACLU branch in your state, and any other big-name organizations that you know of, and ask how you can help.
A lot – if not most – legal support can be provided over the phone or through videoconferencing. As such, you won’t be putting yourself and others at risk by interacting in-person with your clients.
It is unclear at this time how many of these organizations have started to provide services remotely (or at all) related to the outbreak. If you don’t see any information online, reach out and ask. It will show initiative and may lead to services being provided that were not previously contemplated.
And perhaps by reaching out you will end up in a leadership role. Maybe you will be on the committee tasked with developing a process to deliver remote legal services. Or on the committee tasked with developing a roster of volunteers. Or yet another committee necessary to such an effort. And through that, you will get to know local civil rights leaders who will invariably take part as well.
The opportunities are endless. And right now, more than ever, we have people in need. If you are committed to becoming a civil rights attorney, now is the time to act.