VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
BECOME A SENIORLAW CENTER VOLUNTEER
PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY ATTORNEYS
Join the Fight for Justice
Older people are vulnerable to experiencing an array of traumas and injustices in our society—oftentimes perpetrated by the very people who should be caring for them the most. When you give your time to SeniorLAW Center, you become part of a community of people who are stepping up to make these wrongs right. You can help us serve the underserved using the power of the law.
Current Needs:
- Pro-bono Legal Services
- Non-Attorney Volunteer Positions
PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES
Help provide legal services to older Pennsylvanians in need for issues affecting their homes, health, independence, financial survival, and quality of life.
Attorneys who join the SeniorLAW Center panel provide representation in any of a wide range of legal matters, ranging from transactional to litigation. We practice trauma-informed lawyering and provide all training and guidance necessary. We also have a great need for bilingual attorneys.
| Individual Cases | Representation via the HelpLine* | Systemic Reform | Practice Groups | Life Planning Clinics | Community-Based Projects |
*remote volunteer opportunity
- Handle an Individual Case for a Low-Income Older Person
We handle many different types of cases in a variety of courts and venues, including litigation, transactional, eviction, grandparent custody, probate, elder financial exploitation, mortgage foreclosure, and dozens of other areas of law critical to seniors’ lives. We receive more than 150 calls each week for help and deliver timely, trauma-informed services. - Volunteer for Our PA SeniorLAW HelpLine
Offer free legal advice, counsel, some brief services, information, and referrals to individuals in all 67 counties of the Commonwealth. After completing our training, return phone calls to older adults on topics within your areas of expertise at times that fit within your schedule. We receive calls from all 67 counties in PA in all areas of civil law. - Help with Systemic Reform
You can assist with researching best practices in elder justice across the nation, drafting legislation, testimony, or educational brochures on changes in the law, filing, and helping lead impact litigation. - Create a Practice Group at your Firm
We provide training and ongoing guidance and support as well as cases in areas of poverty law for seniors. Groups meet periodically to share challenges and successes. Existing practice groups include contractor fraud, landlord/tenant, probate, and deed transfers. - Hold or Participate in a “Life Planning” Clinic.
These events focus on health care and financial decision-making as well as provide simple advance planning documents. - Create a Community-Based Project
Projects can include direct service or community education to address unmet needs.
We are always happy to explore other ideas as well to meet the interests and passions of your organization. For more information, please contact Joanna Jarzebowska, Esq., at jjarzebowska@seniorlawcenter.org.
To apply via mail, download the printable form, complete, scan, and return it to LFinlayson@seniorlawcenter.org or mail it to the following address:
SeniorLAW Center
1650 Arch Street
Suite 1820
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Attention: Leah Finlayson, Legal Director
NON-ATTORNEY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
You don’t have to be an attorney to make a difference. We need volunteers to assist with a variety of special projects to help us accomplish our mission.
| Community Education | In-Office Support | Client Intake | Public Relations | Graphic Design | Fundraising Support | Special Events | Communications & Marketing |
We also have opportunities for law students, paralegals, social workers, retired persons, and others to assist on the PA SeniorLAW HelpLine doing intake and assisting our legal staff with case preparation, resource referrals, and more.
If you are law student interested in an internship or volunteering, please fill out the inquiry form for Law Student Opportunities (Intern/extern) on our employment website.
For all other interested volunteers, please fill out the inquiry form for volunteers on our employment website.