Clinics & Projects
Suffolk Guardianship Clinic
Volunteers are needed to provide legal assistance and draft documents for clients who need urgent assistance but are unable to pay for legal services. The Suffolk Guardianship Clinic helps clients by assisting in drafting guardianship petitions, annual care plan reports, and documents required to extend the authority to treat incapacitated adults with anti-psychotic medications.
Attorneys provide Limited Assistance Representation (LAR) to clients, meaning they are only involved in the case for that day. Not trained in LAR? Watch a training and read required materials.
VLP is currently running a hybrid model for our Family Law Clinic.
How it Works- In Person
- The In- Person Clinic runs on the second Thursday of each month at the Suffolk Probate and Family Court in the Court Service Center office space on the second floor.
- Clients will attend on a walk-in basis; the paralegal will screen the clients for eligibility.
- Once the clients are deemed eligible for assistance, VLP will pair them with volunteer attorneys who will give advice about guardianship and help clients draft petitions, motions, annual care plans, and other documents.
- A VLP staff attorney will review any documents drafted during the clinic before the client leaves the meeting. All Documents will be stamped with “Prepared with Assistance of Counsel”.
- Volunteers must fill out an Assistance Provided Form after each case to document the services provided to the client, such as any legal advice and the time spent with the client. It also ensures a record of the volunteers’ pro bono hours.
If you have any questions about Suffolk Guardianship Clinic, please email Pro Bono Manager Emelia Andres at eandres@vlpnet.org
sign up for the clinic
BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING
- Limited Assistance Representation means you start and finish with your client on the same day; no further commitment to court proceedings or legal services is needed.
- Mentorship: Our newer attorneys learn from more experienced attorneys, and more seasoned lawyers get the chance to mentor and guide new attorneys and students.
- Networking: Meet fellow attorneys in your area of practice and connect with other legal professionals.
- Vouchers for discounted MCLE Training are available upon request for pro bono attorneys who actively work with us. The Volunteer Lawyers Project provides primary malpractice insurance for all pro bono work.
If you need to gain experience in Family Law cases, we strongly suggest attending one of VLP’s free trainings before volunteering. Please check our calendar for upcoming training dates.
For more information
Please contact Abigail McCourt, Senior Staff Attorney Family Law and Guardianship Units