Legal Services of North Florida (LSNF) is an organization in the Leon County / Tallahassee community dedicated to providing pro bono legal representation and advice. Explore ways you can receive hands-on experience and fulfill your 20hr pro bono requirement with the opportunities listed below:
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Senior Center Legal Clinic Team (LSNF): LSNF is looking for several students to help facilitate legal advice appointments with attorneys for elderly clients on Wednesdays at the Tallahassee Senior Center. After stopping by LSNF to pick up materials for their volunteer shift, students will then set up in the library at the Senior Center to oversee the completion of additional paperwork and usher clients to the next room at their appointment time. Students may have downtime during these clinics and are welcome to bring outside work to complete.
When: Wednesdays from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32303
Time Commitment: Students must be able to commit to at least one clinic date per month during a semester (excluding holidays, official university breaks, and midterm/final exam weeks).
Legal Advocacy Manual Research and Editing Team (LSNF): LSNF maintains a Legal Advocacy Manual which volunteer attorneys use to assist clients with legal issues. The manual details Florida law and necessary forms related to legal issues including family law, landlord/tenant law, final directives, probate, guardianship, and more. Students assigned to this project will to conduct legal research/editing on outdated sections of the manual to ensure the most up-to-date Florida laws and forms are listed.
When: Ongoing
Where: This opportunity can be completed remotely or at Legal Services of North Florida
Time Commitment: Students should be prepared to see through the completion of an entire section of the manual with the help of one or more peers.
Night Clinic (LSNF): LSNF offers a legal advice clinic at least one Thursday evening per month where volunteer attorneys conduct client interviews and provide legal advice to clients. FSU Law students can volunteer for a scheduled Night Clinic and partner with a volunteer attorney to conduct client interviews, research, and other tasks. Should an attorney take a night clinic case for full representation, the student may choose to volunteer with the attorney up to its resolution.
When: 1st Thursday each month (and some 3rd Thursdays) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Legal Services of North Florida, 2119 Delta Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32303
Time Commitment: One or more Night Clinic per semester
Advanced Directives Clinic (LSNF): Every 3rd Wednesday of the month with the help of a volunteer attorney, LSNF Tallahassee aids elderly clients with the completion of wills and advanced directives (Last Will and Testaments, Living Wills, Power of Attorney, and Designation of Healthcare Surrogate). Students are needed for clinic facilitation and real-time editing to ensure documents are properly executed.
When: Every 3rd Wednesday from 10:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Where: Legal Services of North Florida, 2119 Delta Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32303
Time Commitment: One or more Advanced Directives Clinic during a semester
Helpline Support Team (LSNF): Contact applicants referred to the LSNF Helpline to confirm and update case records. Interview clients by phone when necessary, prepare, and post case fact summaries to help expedite volunteer attorney’s efforts to deliver legal advice by phone. 3L students may have the opportunity to relay advice to clients via phone under attorney supervision.
When: Flexible scheduling weekly Monday-Thursday between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Legal Services of North Florida, 2119 Delta Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32303
Time Commitment: Complete fulfillment of 20hr pro bono volunteer requirement.
Florida Law School Challenge Support Team (LSNF): Review applications from clients requesting legal help in all areas of civil law. Interview clients by phone when necessary and summarize case facts. Create and post short summaries of cases to FBF Pro Bono Matters website and the Florida Law School Challenge website through LSNF case management database. Assist attorneys who wish to take on the cases for pro bono full representation by conducting further research, drafting documents, and more.
When: Challenge begins 1st week of February and ends 1st week of April. Flexible scheduling in-office Monday-Thursday between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekly.
Where: Legal Services of North Florida, 2119 Delta Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32303
Time Commitment: Complete fulfillment of 20hr pro bono volunteer requirement.