Under the guidance of Center legal staff, volunteer lawyers may: interview clients; prepare pleadings and other legal documents to help clients represent themselves in court; represent clients in court on a limited scope basis for a single court appearance or take a case for full representation; mentor other attorneys; or provide advice in non-family law areas such as tax, criminal law, trusts and estates. Available only for California licensed attorneys, based on requisite experience and skills. Training seminars required unless the volunteer lawyer has more than 3 years of family law experience.
Occasional, Weekly, Monthly
21+, 55+
Individuals
Indoor
Formal, Skilled
Weekdays
Law Students
Law students enrolled in approved California or American Bar Association accredited law schools are welcome for a range of opportunities under supervision of Center attorneys. Interns interview and assist clients; analyze cases; and prepare pleadings, write declarations and conduct research for clients.
Weekly
21+, Adults
Individuals
Indoor
Formal, Skilled
Weekdays
Community Members
Individuals with the following skills and interests are encouraged to apply to help the Center’s operations: marketing, public relations, advertising, fundraising, and administration and management.
Occasional, Weekly, Monthly
55+, Adults
Individuals
Office work, Event support, Indoor
Skilled
Weekdays, Evenings, Weekends
Certified Paralegals
Certified paralegals may engage in the following volunteer opportunities under supervision by Center lawyers: interview clients and assist volunteer lawyers in pleading and legal document preparation for clients representing themselves at court. Paralegals must attend one of the Harriett Buhai Center’s New Volunteer Training seminars and contribute 50 hours of office pro per assistance within 12 months following the training.
Occasional, Weekly, Monthly
55+, Adults
Individuals
Indoor
Formal, Skilled
Weekdays
How you help
Volunteers are the backbone of the Buhai Center. We welcome lawyers, law graduates, paralegals, interpreters, community members and students to become involved in the Center’s programs. Utilizing volunteers comprised primarily of lawyers and law students, the Center provides free direct legal assistance to over 1,000 very poor persons and 2,000 children each year.
About us
The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law (The Center) was founded in the early 1980s by Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Bar and Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles. Since its inception, the Center has served as a cornerstone of family law and domestic violence assistance for low-income persons in California. Through its community outreach, legal education and referral efforts the Center impacts more than 5,000 individuals each year. The Center handles the most personal and important legal problems an individual can face; issues regarding personal safety, the well-being of children and a family’s economic security. We aspire to create a community where poverty is not a barrier to those who seek to resolve critical family law matters.