Get Involved with CFJ
Counsel for Justice offers various opportunities for individuals
who are passionate about advocating for justice and equality.
Volunteer with CFJ
Join a community of dedicated legal professionals committed to justice and equality.
Help us create a more just LA by using your skills and passion for pro bono work. Counsel for Justice has opportunities for volunteer attorneys to provide direct legal services, empowering people with the knowledge and support necessary to effectively understand and navigate their legal challenges.
Have a question? Send us a note here.
Why Volunteer With Us?
Drive Change. Engage in meaningful pro bono work that helps dismantle systemic barriers to justice.
Professional Development. Gain hands-on experience working directly with clients, helping them navigate the legal system. Volunteers are exposed to new legal practice areas and develop and enhance skills that are invaluable in all areas of practice.
Community Impact. Directly contribute to societal change through our core projects:
Domestic Violence. Assist survivors in restraining order cases, helping them meet their goals for safety for themselves and their families.
Housing.
Immigration. Provide services from legal information and forms prep to full representation to immigrants seeking a safe, stable life in the U.S.
Veterans. Support veterans in need through direct legal services in areas like record-clearing and eviction defense.
Fulfillment & Recognition. Find personal meaning and joy in utilizing your skills to assist underrepresented individuals in need. Counsel for Justice recognizes and celebrates the contributions of our volunteer attorneys.
Volunteer Programs
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“I have been privileged to work with the Domestic Violence Project which provides essential legal services to victims who are in grave need protection by obtaining temporary restraining orders. The amazing team at the Domestic Violence Project provides top-notch legal services with the utmost compassion and care to each and every victim. I am beyond honored to be part of such a wonderful team of staff and volunteers providing such vital services to the community.”
Volunteer Attorney with the Domestic Violence Project
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“My work on behalf of the people served by the CFJ Veterans Project is especially meaningful to me. I always wanted to do something that would validate for military veterans the draft deferment that made it easy for me to enter the legal profession. Through the Veterans Project, I have been able to pay back some of the debt I owe to those who served.”
Volunteer Attorney with the Veterans Project
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“Working with CFJ’s immigration project has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my work life. Meeting clients from all over the world has exposed me to the hardships faced by those who have left their homes and families to make a life in the United States. The legal help we provide at the immigration clinic has enormous impacts, affecting not only the clients in front of us each day, but future generations as well. I’m honored to be a part of that work.”
Volunteer Attorney with the Immigration Project
Cy Pres Awards
What is Cy Pres?
The cy pres doctrine takes its name from a Norman French expression, which means “as near as possible.” Cy pres awards designate local charities to receive residual proceeds of settlements in class action cases when the monies either cannot be distributed to actual class members without the cost of distribution eating up the value of the settlement,t or individual class members do not claim their designation of the settlement. California’s public policy seeks to ensure that any remaining funds from a class action settlement are distributed to the fullest extent possible for either the benefit of the underlying cause of action or to promote justice for all Californians. Like other elements of class action settlements, cy pres awards must be approved by the court.
LACBA Counsel for Justice is a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation and is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Cy Pres Distributions to LACBA Counsel for Justice
Please take a minute to consider whether you, or someone you know, is working on a case that may generate a cy pres award, and whether CFJ might be an appropriate recipient of such funds. Awards can be made to benefit our work in general, or can be designated to a specific practice area, such as domestic violence or veterans.
LACBA Counsel for Justice might be a good fit for cy pres awards in litigation presenting a variety of issues, including:
Keeping immigrant families together
Cases involving abuse and sexual violence
Legal problems faced by the unhoused
Challenges facing children
Legal issues related to disabilities or mental illness
Veterans' rights
Housing discrimination
Civil rights and poverty law
Financial literacy and debt collection abuse
If you have any questions, need documents or information, or are interested in designating CFJ as a cy pres award recipient, please contact Hazel Gaitan, Administrative Manager, at 213-896-6417.