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Pro Bono Agency Participants
Additional agency information is available in the Pro Bono Office

Serving Youth

• Child Advocates is a not-for-profit corporation that represents abused and neglected children in the Marion County courts. The vast majority of the cases involve children who have endured the very worst of physical and sexual abuse and who, through no fault of their own, find themselves trapped in the confusing and often frightening world of juvenile justice. By using volunteers to investigate each childýs case, Child Advocates is able to provide this service to the children whose voices need to be heard in court for nearly one-third the cost of private attorneys. Child Advocates represents approximately 3,000 children in 8,000 to 10,000 court hearings every year. Volunteers will interview the child, foster parents, parents, relatives and others involved in the case so that the court is aware of the childýs needs. Volunteers stay with the childýs case until the case is closed. Each volunteer must complete an application which includes a criminal background check. Volunteers are required to go through a 3-week training program generally held 2 times per semester. The sessions are Monday thru Thursday from 6-9pm at the Child Advocates Office (4701 North Keystone Avenue).

• Expected Time Commitment: Mandatory 3 week training program and at least a one year commitment to work one assignment per month. At least 8 hours are needed to complete the monthly assignments.

• Child Advocates provides Guardian ad litem/CASA representation to abused and neglected children involved in Marion County Juvenile Court and other Superior Court cases involving dissolution, guardianship, adoption, etc.

• Expected Time Commitment: 8 hours per week for at least one semester

• Indiana Advocates for Children provides CASA/Guardian ad litem representation for children in Marion County Superior Courts Civil Division in custody, visitation and guardianship cases.

• Expected Time Commitment: 8 hours per week for at least one semester

• Students serve as mentors helping to train and supervise volunteer teen attorney prosecutors and defense counsel. The mentors assist in training teen attorneys and supervising their work both inside and outside the courtroom. Participants should enjoy working with adolescents. No knowledge of courtroom procedure needed. The hours are flexible, but all in the evening. Great opportunity for EVENING STUDENTS (fall break, winter break, spring break, summers).

• Expected Time Commitment: Student’s choice

Serving the Needs of Victims of Domestic Violence

• The Julian Center is a shelter, counseling and resource center for battered women. The attorneys for The Julian Center provide legal advice and representation in civil matters, focusing on divorce, immigration and bankruptcy. Law students assist attorneys by completing “intake interviews,” which is the basis for the decision to accept a case or not. Law students also assist in preparing correspondence, assisting individuals with pro se divorce forms, and following-up with applicants for legal assistance. Opportunities may also exist for students to attend hearings and observe client interviews. The Julian Center especially needs the assistance of bilingual (Spanish/English) individuals. Volunteers must complete an orientation and submit to a criminal background check.

• Expected Time Commitment: Minimum of 5 hours per week.

• Law students partner with attorneys assigned to each case. Together, they Represent clients who have a protective order violated. The attorney will supervise and direct student work, most of which will involve client interviewing, tracking down evidence, and helping to create and file pleadings. Students attend the actual hearing and assist the attorney.

• Expected Time Commitment: Mandatory one day training session and at least one case on as needed basis

Serving Those With Limited Means

• This non-profit organization provides free legal services to lower income families and individuals. Areas include family law, housing, public benefits, consumer law, and education. Special projects in addition to general practice include Migrant Farmworker Legal Assistance, Senior Law, and the Homeless Project.

• Expected Time Commitment: Student’s choice

• The Society works to protect the rights of the underprivileged in the areas of family law, custody disputes and child support, dissolutions, adoptions, public benefits, bankruptcy, debtor/creditor disputes, landlord/tenant rights, and a large group of miscellaneous matters. The Society has many voluntary opportunities for those with a desire to help the disadvantaged in our community.

• Expected Time Commitment: Student’s choice

• Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic is a non-profit, Christian service organization offering pro bono legal assistance and seeking racial reconciliation. They are located in the distressed Mapleton-Fall Creek and citizens-King Park neighborhoods, but offer legal assistance to low income (125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines) clients across Indianapolis in areas of public benefits, housing, landlord/tenant rights, consumer law, contracts, wills, debt/bankruptcy, guardianship, child support and other civil matters.

• Expected Time Commitment: Student’s choice

• Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic is a non-profit, Christian service organization offering pro bono legal assistance and seeking racial reconciliation. They are located in the distressed Mapleton-Fall Creek and citizens-King Park neighborhoods, but offer legal assistance to low income (125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines) clients across Indianapolis in areas of public benefits, housing, landlord/tenant rights, consumer law, contracts, wills, debt/bankruptcy, guardianship, child support and other civil matters.

• Expected Time Commitment: Student’s choice

Serving the Criminal Justice Community

• Volunteer opportunities possible in all divisions (misdemeanors, major felonies, controlled substances prosecution, juvenile, etc).

• Expected Time Commitment: 8 hours per week for at least one semester

• The Community Court of Indianapolis works to empower the residents of the neighborhoods to have a true voice in the criminal justice system and to improve the quality of life in the communities in which they live. The Community Court of Indianapolis is a neighborhood-based court that handles lower-level criminal cases. The primary principle behind the Community Court is simple-defendants are asked to pay back the community and at the same time will receive help with the issues leading to their criminal behavior. Through this approach, justice can be priceless to the community and productive and meaningful to the defendant. The Community Court is located near Fountain Square.

• Expected Time Commitment: 4 hours per week for at least one semester

• The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has set up a Conflict Resolution Services Program to help evaluate disputes from the public and court referred cases for an acceptable conflict resolution process. Law students are needed to conduct intake interviews with clients and mediate cases. The interview hours will vary according to community needs and staff availability. Participants should have their own transportation in the event some sessions are held downtown. A mandatory training session is required to participate.

• Expected Time Commitment: Student’s choice

• The Domestic Violence Unit provides students with hands-on experience at many different levels. Tasks range from light clerical duties to assisting in preparation for jury trials. Volunteers receive a six-hour orientation before beginning pro bono service.

• Expected Time Commitment: 4 hours per week for at least one semester

• The mission of the Street Level Advocacy Program is to serve as advocates for Indianapolis neighborhoods by promoting and improving the safety, well being, and quality of life. To give neighborhood residents a voice in the criminal justice system, promote cooperation, collaboration, and communication between law enforcement, community groups, and other agencies, and to create innovative crime fighting strategies involving thorough investigation, aggressive prosecution and crime prevention.

• Expected Time Commitment: 4 hours per week for at least one semester

• Volunteer opportunities in the all divisions (juvenile, misdemeanors, major felonies, etc). The work done varies by division. Generally, volunteers work very closely with their supervising attorneys to assist clients who need defense attorneys. Volunteers can observe and assist attorneys during court appearances through research, client contact, and file preparation. Opportunities also available with individual attorneys who maintain a part-time PD contract.

• Expected Time Commitment: 8 hours per week for at least one semester

Upholding the Constitution

• The Indiana Civil Liberties Union represents persons in cases involving Federal and State constitutional rights, (such as the legality of roadblock checkpoints). ICLU clients are often poor persons (prisoners, homeless persons, welfare recipients, children, etc.).

• Expected Time Commitment: Student’s choice

Government Agencies

• The Department of Insurance regulates insurance in Indiana and administers the Indiana Medical Malpractice Act. Department attorneys provide general legal advice to the Department; interpret and enforce Title 27 of the Indiana Code; and defend the Indiana Patient's Compensation Fund in claims for excess damages through settlement negotiations, mediations, and trial. Attorneys also review consumer complaints and rate filings; prepare and prosecute cases against agents and companies; monitor the financial solvency of insurance companies; draft, propose, and review legislation; and draft administrative rules and oversee the adoption process. Law students assist attorneys in responding to public records requests, researching insurance and medical malpractice issues, and preparing prosecutions of agents and/or companies accused of violating Indiana law. Opportunities may also exist for students to attend administrative hearings, public hearings, depositions, mediations, etc.

• Expected Time Commitment: 8 to 10 hours per week during the school year, up to full time summers.

• The EEOC enforces all of the following laws: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), which prohibits employment discrimination based on race color, religion, sex, or national origin. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA), which protects men and women who perform substantially equal work in the same establishment from sex-based wage discrimination. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), which protects individuals who are 40 year of age or older. Title I of the American Disabilities Act of 1973 (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities who work in the federal government. Law students conduct research, perform deposition abstracts, contact and interview perspective witnesses, and assist attorneys with mediation preparation.

• Expected Time Commitment: 8-12 hours per week for at least one semester

• The Indiana Civil Rights Commission handles cases based on a claim to be aggrieved by a discriminatory practice or act contrary to the provisions of the Indiana civil rights law. Students should have taken at least one discrimination class (employment, sex, civil rights, etc.).

• Expected Time Commitment: 4 hour increments 2-3 days per week or an 8 hour day

• The Intelenet Commission is a quasi-governmental agency dedicated to providing telecommunication service to state and local governments, libraries, K-12 schools, and higher education. Law students will receive exposure and experience in telecommunications law, internet law, intellectual property law, and contracts regarding intellectual property issues.

• Expected Time Commitment: 8 hours per week for at least one semester

• The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is a student run pro bono organization with participation limited to law students. VITA is a volunteer service that provides free income tax preparation to the elderly and disadvantaged. No prior tax knowledge or experience is required - all training is provided. The majority of the commitment occurs during the tax season in the spring semester.

• Expected Time Commitment: Student’s choice

Judiciary

• A panel of attorneys assigned by the judges of the U.S. District Court provide legal representation to indigent clients. Once an attorney is assigned to a case by a District Court Judge, students can be assigned to assist that attorney. This system is operated on a rotating basis as cases are assigned.

• Expected Time Commitment: Varies

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