The WBF’s Family Law Project Volunteer Opportunities 

The Family Law Project for Survivors of Domestic Abuse (FLP) has two primary objectives. The first is to empower domestic violence survivors by giving them a voice in their abuse prevention hearings and family law cases.  We seek to prevent further abuse, homelessness, loss of child custody, and to decrease repeated court hearings. The Project's second objective is to engage lawyers in pro bono service. The WBF carries liability insurance and covers every case referred through our program. Every volunteer attorney is paired with a mentor who provides support every step of the way. There is no requirement for litigation or family law experience to volunteer; only empathy and a willingness to help a client navigate a difficult situation. WBF has several ways to support survivors depending on the volunteer's workload and style.  

 

  • 209A Restraining Order Project: Volunteers in this project represent clients seeking an order of protection from abuse at one hearing. These cases move quickly because under the 209A statute, there must be a two-party hearing within ten calendar days of issuance of the initial ex-parte order. Usually, clients contact us after they have obtained an ex-parte order and their two-party hearing is already scheduled.  The volunteer attorney represents the client getting the temporary order extended for 1 year or renewed for multiple years. These cases generally take about 7 hours to prepare for new attorneys, and more experienced attorneys are typically prepared in less time. WBF offers a 2-hour recorded training on 209As and a 209A Practice Manual. 

  • Family Law Limited Assistance: Volunteers in this project represent clients seeking relief in one discreet portion of their case. The client  likely has already filed some pleadings or been served with a Notice to Appear on a certain date. The hearings are generally on motions for temporary orders or motions to modify temporary orders related to custody, parenting time, or child support. The preparation time for these cases varies based on the case. The representation ends at the end of the hearing and the volunteer has no further obligation to the client. WBF offers a 2-hour recorded training and a practice manual. The Court  requires all attorneys representing clients on a limited basis watch a 2-hour training video on the ethics and rules of limited representation.  

  • Family Law Full Representation: Volunteers in this project represent clients for the entirety of their case from the initial filling until judgment is entered. These cases can take 12 months to resolve with multiple hearing spread out over the course of the representation. Volunteers have an opportunity to build rapport with the client and have more control  over the case. WBF offers a day long in-person training in the fall. Recordings of previous years’ trainings are also available for volunteers to watch at their convenience. 

The mission of the Women's Bar Foundation of Massachusetts is to empower low-income women to attain social and economic equity for themselves and their children by meeting their legal needs.  We provide free civil legal services through three pro bono projects. We ensure cost effective delivery of legal services by leveraging the resources of the private sector and by collaborating with the public and non-profit sectors.  We manage a robust volunteer attorney pool to provide representation to our low-income clients.  

For more information about each pro bono project, please see the project list in the right-hand panel.

Restraining Order Intake Form
 

Are you a law student looking for an internship opportunity with the WBF? 

WBF hosts student interns on a semester basis. Applications are considered for the next semester on a rolling basis with interviews being conducted 4-6 weeks before the start of the semester. Extensive training and support are provided. This is a hybrid opportunity located in Boston. Applicants must have reliable access to phone and internet. Spring and Fall semester interns must be available a minimum of 6 hours per week. Summer opportunities are full time and students must secure third party funding for the summer or participate in the program for course credit.  

If you are interested in assisting low-income survivors of domestic abuse with their family law cases; helping elders prepare important legal documents; and are looking for a way to have a positive impact while honing your legal and communication skills working with a passionate and committed legal team, please read below for information on internship opportunities with the Women’s Bar Foundation.

If you are interested in applying, please email Lola Remy at lremy@womensbar.org.

Responsibilities and Opportunities include:   

  • Conducting screening interviews for potential clients
  • Preparing client files for attorney review and referral
  • Participating in weekly case review meetings to discuss potential clients and determine which cases are appropriate for referral to pro bono attorneys
  • Collaborating with other legal services agencies, law firms, and advocacy groups to serve clients and improve policy
  • Researching various legal issues involving jurisdiction, custody, and parenting time;
  • Working with WBF staff on preparing and delivering trainings. 
  • Attending monthly Family Law clinics, monthly visits to Suffolk House of Corrections and community outreach events 
  • Assisting clients in their family law and restraining order cases pursuant to SJC Rule 3:03. 

Required qualifications include:  

  • Interest in working with survivors of domestic abuse
  • Commitment to helping indigent populations and people in crisis
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to communicate effectively using virtual platforms and the telephone
  • Ability to independently prioritize tasks with competing deadlines
  • Attention to detail 
  • Bilingual strongly preferred