Volunteer with the LGBTQ+ Lawyers: Bet Tzedek Name & Gender Marker Pro Bono Clinic

The LGBTQ+ Lawyers Association of Los Angeles is pleased to announce that we are once again partnering with Bet Tzedek Legal Services for a Pro Bono clinic. We hope you will join us! During this time of federal attacks on Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Expansive people, we can support our community by helping people to update their documents to reflect who they truly are.

General Clinic Information:

• The clinic is 3 hours long, although pro bono volunteers are welcome to sign off once they have completed their work.
• The clinic is entirely VIRTUAL, and pro bono volunteers are asked to complete an intake and set of court forms for a client to file on their own. There is no expectation of continuing representation.
• The first hour is a MANDATORY 1 hour training comprised of cultural humility, an overview of the legal landscape, and practical how-tos for how to complete petitions.
• After the training, pro bonos are placed in breakout rooms to await the arrival of their clients.
• Bet Tzedek staff remains in the main Zoom room throughout the clinic in order to provide support and answers.

Volunteers:

• Experience Level:  No previous experience required!
• • While we certainly love repeat volunteers and folks who have done similar work previously, our comprehensive 1 hour training gives you everything you need to be up-to-speed by the time clients virtually arrive.
• Professional Requirements:  None!
• • Because each petition is carefully reviewed by a Bet Tzedek staff attorney, we are pleased to be able to welcome all to participate. Attorneys, paralegals, support staff, law students, and other community members are welcome provided they are at least 18 years of age.

TECHNOLOGY:

• Platform:  ZOOM
• • All participants must have access to Zoom. Bet Tzedek will share the zoom link one to two days before the clinic.
  • Pro Bono volunteers do not need to turn their cameras on, although it can be helpful to establish rapport in client meetings.
  • Bet Tzedek handles all Zoom admin
• Petition Preparation Platform:  Gavel
• Bet Tzedek will send a test link before the clinic so you can make sure you will be able to use the necessary software.