Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc. (TRLS) is a free, civil legal assistance program that serves low-income residents of Duval and 16 other counties in North Florida.

TRLS’ volunteer legal programs allow Florida Coastal School of Law students to gain valuable experience and assist clients in various areas of law.

TRLS will be utilizing volunteer law students in three areas during the Fall 2008 semester:

• Clinics
• Community Outreach Presentations
• Volunteer Research

The Three Rivers Legal Services Volunteer Opportunities are supervised by Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Attorneys Deanna Coates and Summer Griggs.

CLINICS:

Pro Se Divorce

Volunteers will assist domestic violence victims and low income clients with the completion of necessary documents for the filing of dissolution of marriage (divorce) petitions and related child support actions. The pro se divorce clinics will be offered for a morning (‘A’) and evening session (‘B’).

‘A’: Dates: Fridays 9/19, 10/24, 11/21, and 12/19 from 9 a.m. -12 p.m.

‘B’: Dates: Wednesdays 10/22, 11/19, and 12/17 from 3 - 6 p.m.

Sealing and Expungement

Volunteers will explain the eligibility criteria and procedures for the sealing and expungement of records. Volunteers will also assist clients with the completion of the application to have their records sealed or expunged.

Dates: Friday 11/14 and 12/12 from 9 - 12 p.m.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH PRESENTATIONS

*Presentations will be held at various community organizations within the TRLS service area.

Landlord/Tenant

Presentation of issues and resources regarding tenant’s rights and landlord/tenant dispute resolution.

Location and Dates: TBA

Foreclosure

Presentation of information and resources concerning foreclosure prevention, defense, and unfair mortgage practices.

Location and Dates: TBA

Student Designed

Volunteers will explore the needs of the community and learn substantive law concerning the identified areas of law. Based on student interest and surveyed needs; students will prepare a presentation to educate identified groups about their legal rights, options, and available community resources. Students may choose from a wide variety of public interest law topics such as special education, consumer rights, and elder law.

NOTE: There is a required 2 semester commitment.

Location and Dates: TBA

RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS

Research

Students will perform legal research and writing for TRLS attorneys on a wide variety of issues.

The Three Rivers Clinics are supervised by Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Attorney Jorge Tormes. The primary responsibility of Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps attorneys is to collaborate with community legal aid providers, law students, and law schools to develop quality pro bono opportunities that expand legal resources in low income and underserved communities. To learn more about Equal Justice Works post-graduate fellowship programs, visit Equal Justice Works .

For more information about the Three Rivers Clinics and other volunteer opportunities, please contact Jorge Tormes (jorge.tormes@trls.org).

Three Rivers offers volunteer opportunities in conjunction with the semester-based course schedule at UF Law. This website will be updated at the beginning of each fall, spring, and summer session with information on volunteer programs

Registration Details

Eligibility: To participate, student volunteers must be in at least their second semester of law school.

Requirements: Attendance at all program sessions is greatly appreciated, but not required provided that prior arrangements are made with the supervising attorneys.

Training:Sessions will be held at the offices of TRLS at 1725 Oakhurst Avenue, Suite C; Jacksonville, Florida 32208. Call 904-394-7450 for directions.

Registration closes on September 18, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.

You will be notified of your placement on September 19, 2008.

Please e-mail your registration requests with the following information to: jaxvolunteer@trls.org

▪Name:

▪E-mail address:

▪Mailing address:

▪Year / Semester in law school:

▪Phone number:

▪Please list program preference

Based upon program availability, students may be allowed to participate in multiple programs.

▪Are you a returning volunteer?

Returning volunteers will be given registration preference.

▪Please specify any foreign language proficiencies: