Western New York Law Center
Volunteer with the Civil Legal Advice Resource Office of Buffalo
Volunteer attorneys advise consumers of their rights and help them with legal papers.
Posted March 25, 2024
Background & Context
People in underserved communities are often targeted by predatory practices. People who experience surprise life changes find themselves falling behind and struggling to keep up with their bills. Sometimes people just need to know what they can do to get back on track. At the CLARO walk in clinic, visitors meet with attorneys and law students who help them navigate the civil legal system, mainly as it relates to consumer debt matters.
Work & Deliverables
Advice and counsel in legal matters related to civil and consumer debt.
Draft answer and discovery demands for pro se idefendants using standardized forms.
CLE credit available.
Preparation Phase
- Watch training videos provided
- Review training documents provided
- Participate in virtual or phone meeting with supervising attorney
Collaboration Phase
- Come to 3 CLARO sessions at either the Frank Merriweather Library or Buffalo City Court
- Library sessions are from 4-7 pm on Tuesdays
- City Court sessions are from 10am-12pm on Fridays
- Have supervising attorney review drafts of any documents made for visitors
Wrap Up
- All documents drafted provided to staff attorneys
- Descrition of visitor meeting provided to paralegals
Western New York Law Center
We ensure all members of our community receive the full range of civil legal services including “non-traditional” legal assistance like policy advocacy and legal education. Our programs include a consumer debt defense clinic, a small business legal clinic, representation in school discipline hearings, eviction and foreclosure prevention, and bankruptcy assistance.
Volunteer for this project!
Western New York Law Center would love your help with this project. Enter your name and email address to get started!
Western New York Law Center
We ensure all members of our community receive the full range of civil legal services including “non-traditional” legal assistance like policy advocacy and legal education. Our programs include a consumer debt defense clinic, a small business legal clinic, representation in school discipline hearings, eviction and foreclosure prevention, and bankruptcy assistance.