Economic Justice and Tax

Debtor’s Rights Clinic hosted by Bay Legal
Description of work: Teach consumers how to fight against unlawful debt collectors and harassment, help people access safe and affordable housing, protect seniors and disabled people from consumer scams.
Skill Level: All
Time Commitment: The Clinic runs on Mondays in San Mateo, Contra Costa on 1^st & 3^rd Fridays, Napa on 2^nd Fridays, Alameda on 4^th Fridays. Volunteers are expected to participate monthly, or about three clinics a semester.
Training: September 20th from 2 - 3:30pm in Room 404 of the Tower at UC Hastings.
Contact: Claire Johnson Raba cjohnson@baylegal.org

Consumer Debt Defense and Education Clinic hosted by the Justice and Diversity Center
Description of work: Volunteers assist attorneys with drafting cease and desist letters to creditors, answers, fee waiver applications, responses to discovery, motions for summary judgement, demands for bills of particulars, claims of exemption, proposed orders and proof of services.
Skill Level: All
Time Commitment: The CDDEC takes place twice a month, on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-9:00 p.m. All volunteers must attend a 1-hour training session prior to volunteering.
Contact: probono@sfbar.org

VITA
Description of work: Students provide tax filing assistance to local residents one evening a week during tax season. The ABA Law Student Division’s VITA program is an independent operation from the IRS. However, the IRS will be providing training materials, forms, and technical assistance prior to and during the tax season. No experience is necessary.
Skill Level: All
Time Commitment: Must receive training to pass certification test. Clinic is held once a week during tax season, frequency of individual participation varies each season.
Contact: Professor Brittany Glidden gliddenbrittany@uchastings.edu

 

California Lawyers for the Arts
Description of work: Work to establish a bridge between the arts and the legal communities. Check out the current volunteer opportunities for law students here.
Skill Level: All
Time Commitment: Various
Contact: (415)775-7200 or sanfrancisco@calawyersforthearts.org

This list is not all inclusive. There are many more organizations to volunteer with. Find more pro bono opportunities at probono.net/bayarea, an online resource for the entire Bay Area.

If you would like assistance in locating an opportunity that matches your particular interest, contact Professor Brittany Glidden by phone at 415.565.4620 or email at gliddenbrittany@uchastings.edu