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Resources for Attorney Volunteers

Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas offers a wide array of services to support our attorney volunteers in helping our low-income clients, including:

  • Staff Attorneys and Mentors:  VLS has practice specific attorneys and mentors in a variety of practice areas who are available to answer your questions, help you think through case strategy, or even co-counsel with you. 
  • Free CLE Seminars and Materials: VLS offers monthly live & virtual CLEs on a variety of legal issues pertinent to our clients and volunteer attorneys. These CLEs are generally free to volunteers, as are the recordings of past CLEs. Our CLEs are nuts and bolts trainings designed to teach an attorney the basics of handling a case in that practice area. (Upcoming CLEs and seminars, if any, will be listed on the CLE Events page.)
  • Legal Forms:  VLS can provide volunteers with template legal forms upon request, as well as access to Westlaw Form Builder. We also have various practice manuals from the State Bar of Texas and other helpful reference materials.
  • Malpractice insurance:  Our malpractice insurance covers any work done on any VLS pro bono case.
  • Access to Language Line & Interpretation Services: Volunteers are able to access phone interpretation services. If a volunteer needs more extensive interpretation services, VLS attempts to pair attorneys with volunteer interpreters. 
  • Waiver of Publication Costs: Service by publication at no charge is available for a limited number of VLS cases through the Austin American-Statesman and the Austin Chronicle.
  • Free Meeting Space: VLS offers office space for client meetings and mediations.
  • Other Assistance: Our Staff Attorneys can help with…
    • Obtaining waiver/reduction of service fees outside the Travis County area
    • Finding a pro bono mediator for half day mediations on VLS cases
    • Finding a pro bono court reporter when your usual court reporter is unable to assist or unavailable
    • Locating and reconnecting with your VLS client if the need arises
    • Managing difficult clients
    • Referring your client to social service agencies in the Travis County area to address emergency or other needs (e.g., shelters, social services, treatment centers, low-cost family therapists)