GAPABA Volunteers with the Georgia Justice Project

GAPABA Volunteers with the

Georgia Justice Project Criminal Records Clinic

THREE IMPORTANT DATES:

• DEADLINE FOR VOLUNTEER SIGN UP: Friday, June 26, 2020
• REQUIRED CLE: Wed., July 8, 2020, 9 am - 11 am (VIRTUAL)
• LEGAL CLINIC: Fri., July 10, 2020, 9 am - 11 am (VIRTUAL)

ABOUT THE GEORGIA JUSTICE PROJECT Criminal Records Clinic: The GJP Monthly Legal Clinic assists people whose criminal record acts as a barrier to access to employment and reliable housing. Volunteers meet with clients to explain their record and the law to them, and then assist in filing applications for record restriction of clients' criminal records, as well as filing related motions and petitions. Work can also include making corrections to criminal histories and applying for pardons.See https://www.gjp.org/ways-to-support/gjp-volunteer-opportunity-criminal-records-clinic/ for additional details.

• TEAMS: 
• • Work is performed by teams of one senior (5+ years) and one junior attorney or law school student. 
  • No relevant experience is required. All of the training and materials will be provided by GJP.
  • GAPABA is hoping to sign up 6 pairs and will match junior attorneys/law students with senior attorneys.
  • GJP needs 2 weeks to pair attorneys with clients and mail a hard copy of client files, so a June 26th sign up date is critical.
• CLE & CLINIC: Volunteers must then attend a MANDATORY 2-hour CLE on Wed., July 8th, from 9 - 11 am, in order to participate in the actual LEGAL CLINIC on Friday, July 10th, 9 - 11 am. The CLE session and the Legal Clinic are all conducted VIRTUALLY (LINK TO BE PROVIDED).

• WORK: GJP will provide templates for all motions, pleadings, etc., and each pair will receive assistance to support the clients. If the case needs to go to hearing or additional service is required, a GJP staff attorney can step in and take over/assist. Depending on volunteers’ preference, the staff attorney can attend any hearing in lieu of, or in addition to, the volunteers. Only about 10% of the cases require court appearance.

• TIME COMMITMENT: Each pair of volunteers will be expected to commit 25-30 hours over a period of 8-10 months. Each law school volunteer needs to commit to assisting the supervising attorney for the duration of the case. Given the required time commitment, while all students are welcome, we recommend signing up to be a volunteer only if you (i) can commit to the hours and the timeline set forth above, (ii) will be in Georgia in Fall 2020/Spring 2021 and (iii) are not studying for a bar exam to be administered in 2020.