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Animal Law Project (ALP)
The Animal Law Project (ALP) focuses on protecting the interests of animals through the legal system.
What we do:
ALP works with various organizations on legal research and writing projects aimed at improving the welfare of animals, with clients ranging from local SPCAs to national organizations like the Animal Legal Defense Fund. ALP also organizes speakers, screenings, and other events to engage the law school and broader Penn community in open dialogue regarding the legal protection of animals.
How we do it:
Project volunteers conduct targeted legal research, write memos and briefs, and/or create educational materials for animal-focused organizations.
How and when can I join:
We welcome students who are interested in learning more about animal law. Interested students should attend the annual training session at the beginning of the semester. If you have questions, please reach out to Co-Directors Celina Antonellis and Jeni Norwalk and ask to be added to the email list to receive information about available opportunities.
What skills will I develop:
Community engagement, working with vulnerable clients, legal analysis, legal research, legal writing, collaboration, policy advocacy, and public speaking.
The work is likely to be New York Bar eligible.
Civil Rights Law Project (CRLP)
The Civil Rights Law Project (CRLP) is a pro bono project committed to protecting and promoting civil rights and social justice.
What we do:
CRLP works with organizations supporting their litigation on issues such as school desegregation, discriminatory housing policies and hiring practices, the school-to-prison pipeline, and sex-based discrimination in prisons.
How we do it:
Work with the CRLP is project-based. Members have an opportunity to conduct legal research for our partner organizations dedicated to advancing and protecting civil rights, such as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Southern Poverty Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union, Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, and Community Legal Services, completing multiple drafts of research memos used in impact litigation and direct service support.
How and when can I join:
In the fall semester, CRLP will have a mandatory research training for interested volunteers. Projects will be emailed to the CRLP listserv and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you have questions, please email CRLP Co-Directors Katie McKeen (kemckeen@pennlaw.upenn.edu) and Vincent Cahill (vpcahill@pennlaw.upenn.edu).
What skills will I develop:
Legal research, legal writing, legal analysis, and policy advocacy.
The work is likely to be New York Bar eligible.
Compassionate Release Collaborative (CRC)
The Compassionate Release Collaborative (CRC) is a new pro bono project that helps seriously ill inmates in Pennsylvania’s prisons file petitions for compassionate release.
What we do:
CRC’s process will be split into three stages: 1) intake, 2) legal representation, and 3) continued care. At the first stage, CRC screens potential clients and chooses to work with individuals whose cases seem appropriate for compassionate release. Second, CRC helps to collect the necessary paperwork and draft the compassionate release petition to be submitted on the client’s behalf. Finally, once compassionate release is granted, CRC works with the client’s loved ones to coordinate hospice care for the client upon release.
How we do it:
CRC partners with the Amistad Law Project, a West Philadelphia-based public interest law center and organizing project which provides free and low-cost legal services to individuals incarcerated in Pennsylvania. CRC volunteers may be asked to review potential clients’ intake information and draft memos assessing their appropriateness for compassionate release; correspond with selected clients to ensure the timely completion of necessary documents; and help draft compassionate release petitions under the supervision of Amistad.
How and when can I join:
CRC is seeking interested collaborators and volunteers. To be placed on our mailing list, please email Paul Sindberg (sindberg@pennlaw.upenn.edu).
What skills will I develop:
Criminal justice, interviewing & intake, memo writing, working with vulnerable clients, and drafting court pleadings.
Criminal Record Expungement Project (CREP)
The Criminal Record Expungement Project (C-REP) aims to reduce the negative effects of a criminal record on a person’s life, including limited access to employment, educational opportunities, housing, and public benefits.
What we do:
C-REP works with Philadelphians who have criminal records by conducting intake clinics for clients, processing intake applications, and filing petitions to expunge and redact non-conviction data from clients’ criminal records.
How we do it:
C-REP partners with the Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity (“PLSE”), a non-profit legal aid organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-income individuals who are affected by the Pennsylvania criminal justice system. There are three intake clinics per semester that take place on Saturdays in West Philadelphia. During these clinics, volunteers meet with clients, listen to their stories, and screen their criminal records for expungement-eligible (i.e. non-conviction) charges. Volunteers may be able to participate in more than one clinic depending on interest and availability. There is also an opportunity for volunteers to draft expungement petitions.
How and when can I join:
Visit C-REP at the fall pro bono sign-up fair and look out for the mandatory trainings in the fall semester, which will occur on September 17, 2021 and September 21, 2021. The time commitment for this project is flexible. Interested volunteers may also email the Co-Chairs, Amanda Smith (asmith13@pennlaw.upenn.edu) and Isabel Feldman (feldmani@pennlaw.upenn.edu).
What skills will I develop:
Interviewing & intake, client counseling, drafting court documents, and engaging with the community by working with vulnerable clients.
The work is likely to be New York Bar eligible.
Custody and Support Assistance Clinic (CASAC)
Custody and Support Assistance Clinic (CASAC) advocates assist and counsel low-income pro se litigants on family law matters including custody, child support, and protection from abuse orders.
What we do:
CASAC provides volunteer advocates with a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience working one-on-one with clients to prepare legal documents, provide advice for court appearances, and navigate the Philadelphia court system. In addition, 2L and 3L advocates also have the opportunity to become Certified Legal Interns and represent clients in Family Court.
How we do it:
CASAC advocates work alongside attorneys at Philadelphia Legal Assistance to work with low-income pro se litigants in the Philadelphia Family Court system. Advocates meet with clients to conduct in-take interviews, during which time they learn the background and facts of the case, explain the statutory parameters to clients, and help clients craft their legal arguments to best present their case before a judge or master in a custody support, child support or protection from abuse hearing. Often advocates will draft motions, assist in accessing criminal records or other relevant documentation, and help prepare exhibits for the court.
How and when can I join:
Students interested in participating in the CASAC clinic should apply in the fall semester by contacting this year’s CASAC Executive Director, Emily (Brincka) Deliz. CASAC is a full-year commitment and we do not accept applicants in the spring semester.
What skills will I develop:
Client intake and communication skills, case management experience, practice drafting legal petitions for original filings, reconsideration, or modification to orders currently in effect. Additionally, advocates learn to work collaboratively with others to grapple with legal questions and formulate creative case strategy.
The work is likely to be New York Bar eligible.
Democracy Law Project (DLP)
The Democracy Law Project (DLP) tackles crucial issues in democracy law, election law, and voting rights.
What we do:
DLP engages in democracy law issues, focusing on campaign finance reform, redistricting, legislative advocacy, and voting rights while seeking to locate discussions of democracy within broader conversations of racial, gender, environmental, and social justice. We work to ensure that every citizen has equal access to the ballot and casts a vote that counts, and to ensure that democratic institutions are responsive to and representative of citizen concerns.
How we do it:
DLP’s work is twofold. First, we partner with local and national organizations to assist with research, legal advocacy, and voter outreach. This includes projects that tackle new and changing issues around voting and election law. Second, we seek to deepen attention to and understanding of democratic issues on Penn’s campus through collaborative events and community building efforts.
How and when can I join:
Projects with DLP have flexible time commitments. Research projects are ongoing, and DLP supports nonpartisan voter protection efforts around the election calendar. If you have questions, please email democracylawprobono@gmail.com and/or click here to receive updates and volunteer opportunities.
What skills will I develop:
Legal research and writing, democracy law, and issues relating to elections, voting, and democracy issues.
The work is not New York Bar eligible.
Employment Advocacy Project (EAP)
The Employment Advocacy Project (EAP) aims to protect the rights of workers and provide legal representation to low-income Philadelphians who have been unfairly denied unemployment compensation benefits.
What we do:
We directly and fully represent low-wage workers who are appealing an unfair denial of unemployment compensation benefits.
How we do it:
We partner with Philadelphia Legal Assistance’s Public Benefits Unit to assist clients with their unemployment compensation cases. This representation can take a few possible forms. At the first stage of appeal, we represent workers at administrative hearings against their former employers in front of a referee, who acts like a judge. These hearings are similar to short civil trials and allow for the introduction of testimony and documentary evidence. In preparation for hearings, we interview clients and prep them for direct and cross-examination. Currently, hearings are being held over the phone due to the pandemic, but they may return to their usual in-person format this fall. At the next stage of appeal, we represent workers before the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review by writing appellate briefs. This involves research into labor law and identifying legal errors that occurred during hearings. Finally, we troubleshoot technical issues in the unemployment compensation system that prevent clients from receiving their proper payments.
How and when can I join:
Interested students can complete an application at the beginning of fall semester. To ask questions or to receive an application form, please email EAP’s Managing Advocate, Alexander Sprenger (aspre@pennlaw.upenn.edu). Full participation is limited to 2Ls and 3Ls, but first-year students can apply to be a 1L representative and gain an early look into the unemployment compensation system. We ask advocates to make a one-year commitment to EAP and to have space in their schedules to handle two cases per semester.
What skills will I develop:
Interviewing and intake, client counseling, trial prep, working with vulnerable clients, legal writing, legal research, oral advocacy, and the rules of evidence.
Environmental Law Project (ELP)
The Environmental Law Project (ELP) is dedicated to environmental law and policy, fighting climate change, and advancing environmental justice
What we do:
The Environmental Law Project applies an interdisciplinary focus to address the legal, scientific, economic, political and social factors that are involved in environmental lawyering. Students engage in research projects to actively address the unmet needs of environmental preservation and justice on local, national and international levels through support for legislative advocacy, community lawyering, and policy research. Past areas of student research and work have involved issues such as public access to information, waterfront development and protected area status.
How we do it:
We work with local and national environmental organizations, such as the Delaware Riverkeeper and the Natural Resources Defense Council, as well as other groups at the University of Pennsylvania, to support their work for a clean and healthy environment through legal, regulatory, and policy research. We also hold events on Penn’s campus to help students learn about contemporary issues in environmental law and policy.
How and when can I join:
We host an information session and training at the beginning of each semester, describing our current projects and invite students to work on the projects of their choice, depending on availability. Ad hoc projects may arise during the semester. If you have questions, please email ELP’s Co-Chair, Colin Dobell.
What skills will I develop:
Legal analysis, legal research, legal writing
The work is likely to be New York Bar eligible.
Financial Literacy Project (FLP)
The Financial Literary Project (FLP) aims to improve financial literacy in the local Philadelphia community through community education and assistance with tax filings.
What we do:
We provide community education on Financial Literacy topics and tax filing assistance to local communities
How we do it:
Through community education with the Philadelphia Bar Association Business Sector, volunteers present at local middle schools on basic financial literacy topics. We also work with Campaign for Working Families to become trained to assist clients with their tax returns at VITA tax centers throughout Philadelphia during tax season.
How and when can I join:
Interested volunteers can sign up during Pro Bono fair or email FLP’s Director, Audrey Youn.
What skills will I develop:
Public speaking, tax training, financial literacy, community engagement
Health Law and Policy Project (HeLPP)
The Health Law and Policy Project (HeLPP) provides opportunities for students to gain practical experience in the field of health law and policy.
What we do:
We currently host four main projects: the Pennsylvania Health Law Project, the Medicare Rights Center, the Medical Legal Community Partnership, and the Know Your Rights Clinic.
How we do it:
Through the Pennsylvania Health Law Project and Medicare Rights Center, students research and write memos on various health law issues to support these nonprofit organizations in their mission to secure health coverage for their clients. Through the Medical Legal Community Partnership, students partner with Philadelphia Legal Assistance to work with clients and provide legal assistance in a medical setting. Through the Know Your Rights Clinic, students present healthcare rights to local community members with the Sayre Clinic.
How and when can I join:
HeLPP is always accepting volunteers! If you would like to join, please complete this form or email PennLawHelpp@gmail.com.
What skills will I develop:
Legal analysis, legal research, legal writing, policy advocacy, community engagement, client counseling, interview and intake, working with vulnerable clients, access to government/social services, community engagement, presentation skills, and public speaking.
The work is likely to be New York Bar eligible.
If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice
Penn If/When/How engages in pro bono projects, community building, activism, advocacy and education aimed at ensuring access to reproductive healthcare for all individuals. Our work is greatly informed and influenced by the work of advocates of color in the reproductive justice movement, who advocate for “the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities.”
What we do:
Penn If/When/How provides direct legal service to clients in the form of judicial bypass counseling and clinic escorting. As a chapter of the national If/When/How organization, we provide legal research and advocacy support to organizations and community partners throughout the country, who are fighting to advance reproductive health, rights, and justice.
How we do it:
We collaborate with Women’s Law Project, the Defender’s Association, Planned Parenthood, and the Philadelphia Women’s Center on pro bono projects to ensure access to safe, comprehensive, and affordable reproductive healthcare. We work with young people in Philadelphia seeking access to abortion and support the work of attorneys fighting to advance and protect reproductive rights in Pennsylvania.
Penn Law If/When/How offers direct client experience through our judicial bypass project. In Pennsylvania, individuals younger than eighteen must get parental consent to obtain an abortion. If they do not have a parent able or willing to consent, they must petition a judge to issue a court order allowing them to get an abortion. Our volunteers help these young people at clinics fill out the necessary judicial bypass paperwork and schedule a meeting with their attorney for the hearing. Through Penn Law If/When/How, law students can volunteer as clinic escorts at a local abortion clinic in Philadelphia. Penn Law If/When/How also offers legal research assignments to support Women’s Law Project’s research and advocacy efforts.
How and when can I join:
Students interested in volunteering with judicial bypass or clinic escorting should attend a mandatory training before signing up for shifts. Trainings will be held in the Fall semester and potentially in the Spring semester, depending on capacity and interest. Following the training, a spreadsheet is emailed out with available shifts (which are one to two hours long), and volunteers can select shifts depending on their schedule (no minimum). Research assignments are emailed to If/When/How’s listserv as they become available and are assigned on a first come, first serve basis. Many research assignments focus heavily on constitutional law, and are therefore limited to 2/3Ls. If you have questions, please email If/When/How Co-Director, Rachel Zacharias.
What skills will I develop:
Client counseling, interviewing & intake, working with vulnerable clients, legal analysis, legal research, legal writing, and policy advocacy.
The work is likely to be New York Bar eligible (judicial bypass & research).
Innocence Project
The Innocence Project partners with the PA Innocence Project to work to exonerate those convicted of crimes they did not commit and to prevent innocent people from being convicted.
What we do:
There is growing awareness that various deficiencies in our justice system have led to the incarceration of innocent people. After exhausting their appeals, the Pennsylvania Innocence Project is often their last chance at gaining their freedom. The Innocence Project works with convicted individuals who have exhausted all appellate proceedings, meaning that they are past the post-conviction relief stage and can take no further steps. Volunteers assess wrongful conviction claims, read through the evidence and transcripts from trials, write memos, and make recommendations regarding the merits of the case for the Project to begin advocating for the client.
How we do it:
New volunteers typically begin with a stage two review. The stage two review involves analyzing a potential client’s case and making a recommendation concerning his or her innocence and the likelihood of new evidence or testimony.
Who we work with:
The Innocence Project works with convicted individuals who have exhausted all appellate proceedings, meaning that they are past the post-conviction relief stage and can take no further steps.
How and when can I join:
Interested applicants can complete an application in the Fall semester. If you have questions, please email Innocence Project’s Director of Training & Recruitment, Jacob Burnett.
What skills will I develop:
Appellate advocacy, client counseling, criminal justice, draft court pleadings, interviewing & intake, investigation, legal analysis, legal writing, working with vulnerable clients
The work is likely to be New York Bar eligible.
International Human Rights Advocates (IHRA)
The International Human Rights Advocates (IHRA) are passionate advocates for human rights within the United States and around the world
What we do:
We work with community partners through four different multi-year projects aimed at addressing human rights abuses and building rule of law infrastructure.
How we do it:
We do this through projects and respective project directors focused expressly on specific regions and issues. These projects provide tangible results for their community partners and clients, working across many continents and time zones to engage in a global movement to support human rights for all.
How and when can I join:
Find us at the pro bono fair or e-mail ihrapennlaw@gmail.com.
What skills will I develop:
Brief writing, legal research and writing, working with community partners around the world, and impact litigation strategy.
International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP)
We are a group of students committed to effecting meaningful change in the refugee and immigration legal landscape. To that end, the Penn Law IRAP Chapter brings together law students interested in immigration and refugee work with various actors for volunteer opportunities. The scope of our work ranges from preparing materials to support ongoing refugee status applications to monitoring the experiences of immigrants and refugees within court proceedings.
What we do:
Court Monitoring
Students participating in this project will research immigration court policies and monitor their impact on immigrants and refugees. Two areas of particular focus for this project are (1) access to documents and materials in an immigrant or refugee’s native language; and (2) access to technology to attend their proceedings remotely. (May be updated depending on the COVID pandemic).
Country Conditions Reporting
In collaboration with the Nationalities Service Center (NSC), our students will research and compile country conditions reports for immigrants seeking asylum, withholding of removal, or cancellation of removal. In weighing whether to grant these types of relief, immigration officials and judges consider country conditions. Our students’ research will assist NSC attorneys and clients in their claims by providing up-to-date information on various topics ranging from the treatment of LGBTQ individuals in Jamaica to health systems in Mexico.
Direct Client Work
We are working hard to develop a project wherein students may work directly with clients. We are in discussion with multiple organizations seeking to resettle Afghans displaced by the political situation unfolding there. Please check our website for updates as this project takes shape.
Supporting Refugees in Legal Proceedings
IRAP volunteers have historically assisted clients file applications for refugee status and aided them throughout the relevant legal process. We currently have one ongoing legal case. However, we are not looking for volunteers to assist in this project at this time.
Advocacy
The UPenn Law IRAP Chapter hosts events to help raise awareness about issues facing refugees and immigrants. We also hope to host letter-writing workshops where volunteers write to local representatives advocating for refugee-friendly policies.
How and when can I join:
Interested students can complete an application in the beginning of the fall via this link: https://forms.gle/mfozobA17ndbLgLF7
Please contact Alexander Holmgren (aholmg@pennlaw.upenn.edu) or Maya Bradley (mayacb@pennlaw.upenn.edu) if you have any questions or want to learn more.
This work is likely to be New York bar eligible.
Pardon Project
The Pardon Project is committed to reducing the collateral consequences of criminal convictions by assisting Philadelphia residents with pardon applications.
What we do:
We work with Philadelphia residents with criminal convictions that are seeking a pardon from the Governor. We work in collaboration with our client-partners in every aspect of the pardon application including helping secure court files, writing the required essays, and filling out the required forms.
How we do it:
The Pardon Project is a year-long pro-bono project where students are paired with at least one client-partner and work in collaboration with Community Legal Services. Students will work with the client-partner over the course of the year to complete the pardon application.
How and when can I join:
Applications are available in the Fall semester. Participants must attend training in the Fall and commit to the project for the full academic year. If you have questions, please email the Pardon Project Co-Directors, Adrianna Vallee and Grace Leppanen.
What skills will I develop:
Client counseling and interviewing skills, legal analysis skills, legal writing and advocacy skills.
The work is likely to be New York Bar eligible.
Penn Housing Rights Project (PHRP)
The Penn Housing Rights Project (PHRP) supports low-income Philadelphia tenants in various disputes or issues with their landlords through advising on a tenant hotline, representing tenants in Fair Housing Commission cases, and conducting various legal and policy research projects.
What we do:
We connect trained Penn Law students with Philadelphia attorneys at partner firms or organizations such as Philadelphia VIP and Community Legal Services. Students and attorneys work together to represent low-income clients in housing disputes with landlords. With our Fair Housing Commission project, students can directly represent tenants affirmatively suing their landlord in court. Our projects include, or have included, pairing Penn Law students with local attorneys to prevent evictions, having students affirmatively represent tenants suing their landlords for lack of repairs in Fair Housing Court, helping tenant solve issues over the phone with our Community Legal Services tenant hotline, and other ad-hoc research projects.
How we do it:
At the beginning of each year, we host a training session to prepare students for our various projects. We collaborate with CLS attorneys to train students on the hotline and how to work on Fair Housing Commission cases. Once students are trained on the hotline, they take weekly shifts with the Hotline Co-Directors and log their calls on a CLS provided platform. There are opportunities throughout the semester for check-ins, as well as a stream of communication with the Co-Directors and CLS attorneys for any help with calls. With the FHC cases, we pair two volunteers together, supervised by a faculty professor, to prepare the case for court, including initial interviewing of the client and prepping them for trial. Student volunteers have the opportunity to directly question their client and cross examine witnesses during the hearing. Students learn important client management skills that come with sustaining a more long-term attorney-client relationship. With our ad-hoc research projects, we connect students to legal housing opportunities as they come up. In the past, we’ve worked on addressing discriminatory zoning laws. This year, one project will consist of strengthening Good Cause Eviction laws in Philadelphia.
How and when can I join:
Interested volunteers may complete a volunteer application that will be distributed at the beginning of the academic year, around the time of the Pro Bono Sign Up Fair. We will follow up once we have a better idea of interests in our sub-projects with a shorter, more detailed application. If you have any questions, please reach out to pennhousingrights@gmail.com or Pamela Ozga (pozga@pennlaw.upenn.edu).
What skills will I develop:
In-court advocacy, negotiation, trial prep, trial strategy, legal research, legal analysis, collaboration, conflict resolution, client counseling, working with vulnerable clients.
Penn Law Immigrant Rights Project (PLIRP)
The Penn Law Immigrants’ Rights Project (PLIRP) is dedicated to providing legal services to people from around the world seeking to secure or adjust their immigration status in the United States.
What we do:
PLIRP partners with legal service organizations in Philadelphia and beyond to accompany immigrants through various immigration processes including asylum, permanent residence, naturalization, DACA, U visas, and others. PLIRP members also conduct research on immigration legal issues for our partner organizations and participate in discussions about immigration law and policy.
How we do it:
We partner with major immigration organizations in the Philadelphia area and beyond—including HIAS, Nationalities Service Center, and Innovation Law Lab—to assist clients in navigating immigration legal process. Depending on the needs of the partner and the project, PLIRP members might meet with a client several times over the semester to gather information and fill out a visa application, spend a few hours in a clinic setting giving a know-your-rights presentation, or research country conditions on behalf of an asylum-seeker.
How and when can I join:
Students can join our listserv any time filling out this form. Opportunities to volunteer are sent out via the listserv as they become available. Students can email questions to plirp.info@gmail.com.
What skills will I develop:
Client counseling, interviewing and intake, working with vulnerable clients, policy/advocacy, legal research and writing, community engagement.
The work is likely to be New York Bar eligible.
Penn Law’s Walk-In Legal Assistance Project (WILA)
At a weekly clinic, WILA provides accessible civil legal services to people who are experiencing homelessness or are housing insecure.
What we do:
Students complete intake services and assist with birth certificate applications, SSI/SSDI screenings, tax returns, landlord/tenant disputes, issues with public benefits, and other civil legal issues at a weekly meal program. Students may also complete work outside of the regular times of the clinic as required for cases or outreach projects.
How we do it:
People who are attending a weekly meal program come to the legal clinic’s station when they are looking for legal assistance or advocacy. Students conduct an intake interview and assist with completing the applicable civil legal services while working closely with the supervising attorney.
Who we work with:
We work with clients who are housing insecure or experiencing homelessness at a weekly meal program, run by the University City Hospitality Coalition (UCHC). Additionally, WILA partners with the Homeless Advocacy Project, an organization that delivers legal services directly to people experiencing homelessness where they live and eat.
How and when can I join:
Students should complete WILA’s volunteer application during the first few weeks of the Fall semester. Upon acceptance, WILA volunteers must attend a Homeless Advocacy Project training, offered at the law school, before they can begin assisting clients. After the application period has closed, interested students should email WILA’s Volunteer Coordinator, Mackenzie Libbey.
What skills will I develop:
Interviewing and intake, client counseling, access to government and social services, community engagement, legal analysis.
The work is likely to be New York Bar eligible.
Prison Legal Education Project
The goal of the Prison Legal Education Project is to work together with incarcerated people to jointly lead a seminar on legal research and writing skills.
What we do:
The Penn Law Prison Legal Education Project works with people who are currently incarcerated in Pennsylvania state prisons to jointly lead a seminar on legal research and writing, at the prison facility. A goal of our curriculum is to help incarcerated people develop their legal research and writing skills so that they can successfully file pro se documents. The curriculum will develop the fundamental building blocks incarcerated people need to interpret and craft legal arguments.
How we do it:
Volunteers work with incarcerated individuals at the prison facility during each lesson alongside 5-6 other Penn Law students. The class is collaborative and student-directed: volunteers will work together with the student-partners to review key aspects of legal research and writing and discuss relevant legal issues. Volunteers will make a year-long commitment, with 3-4 sessions per semester. Transportation for the one-hour trip is provided. The pandemic continues to affect access into the prison. PLEP leadership is working on developing alternative remote programming in the interim. Interested volunteers should sign up for the PLEP listserv to receive updates on resuming in-person classes.
How and when can I join:
Interested volunteers should email PLEP’s Co-Directors, Cal Barnett-Mayotte (cbarnet@pennlaw.upenn.edu), Lindsay Grier (lgrier@pennlaw.upenn.edu), and Corina Scott (corinas2@pennlaw.upenn.edu), for an application. You can also visit us at the Pro Bono sign up fair!
What skills will I develop:
Working with incarcerated clients, community engagement, criminal justice, legal writing, legal analysis, classroom management, public speaking, presentation skills, education.
School Discipline Advocacy Service (SDAS)
The School Disciplinary Advocacy Service (SDAS) advocates for students facing suspensions and disciplinary transfers from the School District of Philadelphia.
What we do:
We represent the interests of students, their families, and underrepresented communities in disciplinary proceedings where they have traditionally lacked advocacy. We deter processes of school pushout and work toward educational stability for students so that they may continue to learn and develop as individuals.
How we do it:
We partner with students and their families to learn their stories and prepare them to control their narrative. We accompany students to informal disciplinary hearings and assist them in navigating their hearings. In addition to working with students and their families, we partner with fellow law students from Temple, Villanova, and Drexel.
How and when can I join:
Interested students must attend an initial fall training. The time commitment for this project is flexible and can vary according to your schedule. If you have questions, please email SDAS’s Director of Training & Recruitment, Madeline Feldman.
What skills will I develop:
Community engagement, interviewing/intake, client counseling, working with vulnerable clients, project management, conflict resolution
The work is likely to be New York Bar eligible.
Youth Advocacy Project (YAP)
The Youth Advocacy Project works to keep children out of adult prisons and jails by providing comprehensive mitigation and support to youth prosecuted as adults.
What we do:
Teams of law and social work students partner with clients and their families to develop mitigation reports or humanizing narratives of a person’s experience to present to prosecutors or judges. We work to transfer clients’ cases to the juvenile system and out of the criminal legal system, and make crucial connections to community resources providing education, healthcare, housing, and employment.
How we do it:
In partnership with the Youth Sentencing and Reentry Project (YSRP), we work with youth in Philadelphia and surrounding counties who are criminally prosecuted as adults. Law and social work students work together to develop a mitigation report or humanizing narrative of a young person’s experience by meeting with family members, visiting the client, reading and analyzing records, and communicating a fuller picture of the client-partner’s life, so as to highlight their strengths, resiliency, and capacity to change. Each team develops a specific strategy to support and advocate for a young person based on their case, their needs, and their hopes for reentry.
How and when can I join:
Interested volunteers should email YAP’s Co-Directors, Corina Scott (corinas2@pennlaw.upenn.edu) and Emilia Feldman (emilialf@upenn.edu), for an application. You can also visit us at the Pro Bono sign up fair! Please note that YAP only accepts new volunteers in the Fall semester.
What skills will I develop:
Working with vulnerable clients, legal writing, collaboration, project management
The work is likely to be New York Bar eligible.
Youth Education Program (YEP)
The Youth Education Program (YEP) introduces high school students to the basics of law through weekly lessons and preparation for a Moot Court or Mock Trial competition.
What we do:
We teach Philadelphia high school students basic Constitutional principles and provide an opportunity for enrichment in the social sciences. We also help students develop public speaking skills and build arguments so they can effectively perform in mock trial or moot court competitions in the Spring. Broadly, this program is intended to get students excited about legal principles and ideas.
How we do it:
Penn Law students teach in various Philadelphia public high schools and prepare high school students to participate in either Mock Trial or Moot Court competitions. Following basic legal lessons, in the fall semester Penn Law volunteers educate all high school classes on a Constitutional amendment. We will also be hosting a new symposium for students in the first semester. In the spring, volunteers will prep their students on either (1) a fact pattern that focuses on a legal issue that highlights all the learned principles for the Moot Court Competition or (2) the assigned case for the Mock Trial Competition. The program culminates with the students competing against their peers from all the participating high schools in either a Mock Trial or Moot Court Competition.
How and when can I join:
Keep an eye out for an application in the Fall semester! We’ll be at the Pro Bono sign up fair as well. If you have any questions, please email YEP’s Director Jess Zalph (jzalph@pennlaw.upenn.edu).
What skills will I develop:
Community engagement, appellate advocacy, trial strategy, trial prep, classroom management, public speaking, presentation skills, education