Get Involved


	A cosponsored family law/ domestic violence project of Black Women Lawyers of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Bar Association and Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

The generosity of individuals and businesses in the California Community has been crucial to the Center's success over the years. Below are some of the ways to get involved with the Center:

Donors & Supporters Top of Page

Would you like to make a donation or lend your support?

The Center’s ongoing success depends largely on the generosity of individual donors. Not only monetary gifts are welcome, but inkind services and goods, such as printing, graphics and office supplies, help to enlarge the Center’s resources.

We also encourage innovative approaches to giving, including bequests and other testamentary donations, soliciting corporate sponsorships or matching gifts, and hosting private parties featuring a speaker from the Center.

The Center is a charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All donations to the Center are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.

For more information email: info@hbcfl.org

Volunteer Top of Page

Would you like to become a volunteer?

We welcome lawyers, law graduates and students, paralegals, retirees and others to become involved in the Center's programs. Persons without extensive family law background are asked to attend a New Volunteer Training seminar where they receive instruction and an extensive practice manual.

Students registered in accredited law, paralegal and other professional and undergraduate programs may receive school credit for their internships.

Volunteers typically come to the Center one day a month to assist with appointments. Students must participate in the Center’s annual new volunteer training workshop before they begin to work. A student volunteer, however, may begin working at the Center prior to attending the training if he or she is:

	fluent in Spanish, or
	experienced in family law, with three or more years of experience, or
	invited to join by an existing volunteer who will serve as mentor.

Benefits and Rewards

	Provide tangible legal assistance to families who, without help, would be deprived of meaningful access to the family law courts
	Learn domestic violence and family law and how they affect limited-income individuals
	Gain exposure to skills such as interviewing clients, drafting legal memoranda, and preparing pleadings and court documents
	Meet law students, volunteers, and staff who have an interest in family law and a commitment to serving the public interest
	Obtain discounted admissions to selected professional continuing legal education events in family law matters. Attend Center-sponsored trainings at no cost.

For more information email: volunteer@hbcfl.org

Law Students Top of Page

The work performed by law students is an integral part of the Center’s impact in the Los Angeles community. Law students provide help by preparing court documents and pleadings, conducting individual appointments with clients or assisting with clinics, and researching and analyzing complex family law issues.

Students electing to participate in the Center’s programs can expect to improve their research, writing, interviewing and investigative skills, as well as become acquainted with the substantial body of family law issues affecting low-income litigants. Students will also gain extensive experience working directly with clients.

All work performed by law students is closely supervised by the Center’s staff attorneys and other staff members.

Opportunities

The Center welcomes law students enrolled part-time or full-time at American Bar Association or California State Bar accredited law schools. The Center also welcomes attorney assistants enrolled in the University of California programs.

Students may apply for the following positions:

	School-year internship (minimum 15 hours per week for one semester)
	Summer internship (minimum 22 hours per week for eight weeks)
	Volunteer position (minimum 45 hours per year)

Internships Top of Page

Due to a limited budget, the Center is unable to provide funding for most internships. If a student is required to submit a proposal in order to secure funding, the student must prepare and write the proposal on his or her own. The Center will consult with the student during this process and, if necessary, write a letter of support indicating the eligibility of a position if funding is secured.

A limited number of internship positions are available, so applicants are encouraged to apply early. Preference is given to Los Angeles area students.

"I wanted to thank everyone at Harriett Buhai for making me feel at home and part of the team from day one. You have all taught me so much about law but more so about what a group of caring individuals can do to make the legal system accessible to those with limited resources and few alternatives. Thank you."

– Former intern Ana M. Storey, Attorney,

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles

For more information or to apply, please write to the Center:

Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law

3250 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 710

Los Angeles, CA 90010

Attn: Law Student Recruitment

Please include the following:

	Cover Letter
	Resume
	Writing Sample

Proposal providing name of school, period of time for internship, hours per week, legal service program(s) in which you are interested and any relevant work experience.