Frequently Asked Questions
Read some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas (VLS) and its work to improve access to justice through the power of pro bono.
What is Volunteer Legal Services (VLS)?
For 37 years, VLS has been on a mission to improve access to the civil justice system. We do this by leveraging the time, talent, and expertise of an attorney volunteer network that provides pro bono civil legal services, including legal advice and representation, to those most in need in our community.
How does VLS help individuals and families?
Many people in our community cannot afford legal help when confronted with life-altering situations that threaten their safety, their rights, their health, and their families. VLS staff and attorney volunteers assist by providing free legal services to individuals and families, such as helping victims of abuse end violent relationships, connecting persons with disabilities with medical and financial benefits, and keeping people out of homelessness by defending against wrongful evictions and foreclosures.
We offer year-round programs and services including legal advice and intake clinics, direct legal representation, and pro se legal assistance. All services are provided free of charge to those who meet income qualifications – people living at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines ($31,375 for a family of four), with discretion for individuals, such as victims of domestic violence, living at or below 187.5% ($47,063).
What kind of volunteers are needed?
VLS volunteers come from diverse backgrounds and bring a variety of experiences, knowledge and skills. While our greatest need is for attorney volunteers to provide pro bono legal advice and direct representation, we also need volunteers to:
1) interpret for our non-English-speaking or hearing-impaired clients
2) serve as greeters and provide general support at our legal advice and intake clinics
3) help with special projects such as public relations, fundraising, graphic design, and outreach.
How much time do I need to volunteer?
VLS offers flexible volunteer opportunities. You can choose how much time you would like to commit to/give as a VLS volunteer.
Whether you want to help for an hour or two occasionally or on an ongoing basis at our legal clinics or if you want to be directly involved with a pro bono case, we will work together to find a role that meets your interests and availability.
Are there any requirements for volunteering?
We ask that all volunteers (attorneys and non-attorneys) complete a brief volunteer application.
Attorney volunteers must be licensed in the state of Texas, be in good standing, and be committed to pro bono service.
No prior experience is needed. VLS offers a variety of orientation and training sessions to help all volunteers get started.
How do I become a volunteer?
Thank you for your interest in volunteering and helping VLS make an impact through the power of pro bono!
Please sign up to volunteer on Volunteer Hub.
If you have any questions about volunteering, contact Director of Pro Bono Services Hollie Toups at htoups@vlsoct.org
How quickly can I get started?
We can schedule you for the next available clinic or quickly refer a pending pro bono case. However, we are happy to wait until you are done with that big trial you have been preparing for or that family vacation coming up. VLS honors our volunteers’ time and commitments.
Why should I volunteer at a legal clinic?
VLS legal clinics offer a meaningful way to make an immediate positive impact in the life of someone experiencing a hardship or crisis. Clinics are also a unique opportunity to volunteer and network with fellow attorneys and colleagues who are similarly minded and pro bono oriented.
What happens at VLS legal clinics?
VLS legal clinics are open to the public and are an opportunity for individuals seeking civil legal help to receive immediate legal advice from attorney volunteers and apply for additional legal services with VLS.
These community clinics occur on designated Wednesday evenings, in Austin. Click here for our clinic schedule.
The clinics begin promptly at 6:00 pm following a general announcement by VLS staff and typically end at 8:00 pm. Volunteers are asked to arrive by 5:45 pm to sign-in. Our rule is that clinic attendees must sign-in before 7:00 pm to be able to speak with an attorney volunteer.
What volunteer support is available at clinic?
VLS staff members, including our Staff Attorneys, are present and available to help at every clinic. Additionally, experienced and dedicated volunteer attorneys, interpreters, and paralegals are able to assist you. All new attorney volunteers are encouraged to shadow a veteran clinic attorney volunteer for as long as they wish before they give it a go on their own.
We strongly encourage attorney volunteers to take advantage of and talk with the other volunteers and/or clinic team members present to get their perspective and guidance when in doubt about what legal advice to provide.
Why 30 minutes?
Legal clinic attendees are able to visit with an attorney volunteer for 30 minutes at every clinic. Thirty minutes may not seem like enough time to help someone but in our experience it is just enough time to gain an understanding of legal problem(s) and begin the process toward resolution while ensuring everyone present has the opportunity to visit with an attorney volunteer.
There are no limits to the number of times someone can attend clinic and receive legal advice. And, as part of every clinic, attendees are able to apply for additional legal services in addition to receiving legal advice.
What is the process for pairing individuals with clinic volunteer attorneys?
VLS staff conduct an intake process. Once the necessary paperwork has been submitted to staff, the process of pairing applicants with available attorney volunteers begins.
After 30 minutes with an applicant, volunteer attorneys submit their paperwork and will then be paired with the next applicant waiting for legal advice.
This process continues until all applicants/attendees have an opportunity to visit with an attorney volunteer. This process usually takes two hours with clinics ending around 8:00 or 8:30 pm.
I signed up for a clinic date but I have a conflict – what should I do?
If volunteers are unable to make it to a scheduled clinic date, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible. Please email Hollie Toups, Director of Pro Bono Services at htoups@vlsoct.org and let her know you have a conflict. Also, if possible, we ask that you help us by finding a substitute, like a colleague or friend.
I have been volunteering at clinic but my schedule/availability is changing, what should I do?
Life happens. VLS is grateful for our volunteer’s time and energy but understand that volunteering is no longer compatible with your schedule.
If you are no longer able to volunteer, please email Clinic Coordinating Staff Attorney Susanne Pringle to let her know. We would greatly appreciate your help in finding a substitute.
We are always happy to welcome our volunteers back once their schedules allow them to return.
What if I want to take a pro bono case?
VLS Staff Attorneys and Case Placement Coordinators vet all potential pro bono cases to gain further information from clients and make sure they are eligible for VLS services. Coordinators then will reach out to VLS attorney volunteers who have expressed an interest in handling pro bono cases to match them.
What is an emergency case?
An emergency case is one in which there are immediate steps/actions that need to happen to ensure legal deadlines and procedures are met in a timely manner. We are always in need of attorney volunteers who are willing to be on standby to accept these types of cases. If you are interested, please let Hollie know that you are willing to be contacted when emergency cases arise.
Can I branch out and gain experience in a different area of law than what I practice?
Whether you are an established or a newly licensed attorney, we encourage our attorney volunteers to learn new areas of law through VLS.
We have experienced mentors available to provide support in understanding a new area of law or type of case. Additionally, VLS regularly offers CLE trainings curated to provide specific knowledge and guidance in handling VLS pro bono cases.
Click here for upcoming VLS CLEs, which are offered, free of charge to VLS volunteers.
What resources are available for attorney volunteers providing pro bono representation?
Check out this page with a list of resources available for attorney volunteers.
For any questions not answered here, please contact Hollie Toups, Director of Pro Bono Services at htoups@vlsoct.org.