“To what greater object, to what greater character, can we aspire as lawyers than to assist the helpless and friendless in a worthy cause? I say there is none. To devote your skill and energy to the plight of another, without the promise of a material reward for oneself, is what sets us apart as professionals.”
John Adams, 1761
Devoting time and professional skill to public service is a hallmark of the legal profession. AILA offers resources to assist members to locate opportunities as well as incorporate such service into their practices.
Pro-Bono/Volunteer Opportunities Across New England
The CBO Committee is working to create an up-to-date list of volunteer opportunities across New England! If you have an opportunity you would like added to the list, please email Lara Wagner at lwagner@supportkind.org
Vermont Asylum Assistance Project
VAAP offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities to assist asylum seekers in Vermont, including full representation, single day clinics, drafting, and habeas petitions. In some cases, the commitment is only a single afternoon! To learn more or sign up, check out their website: Volunteer — Vermont Asylum Assistance Project
Kids in Need of Defense Boston
KIND Boston works with pro bono attorneys interested in representing unaccompanied children in their immigration cases. KIND provides one-on-one mentorship, samples and guidance, and review of filings. Folks interested in volunteering can email Managing Attorney Justin Fyten at jfyten@supportkind.org.
PAIR
The PAIR Project has a variety of volunteer opportunities and provides mentoring and guidance on all matters — take an asylum case, conduct intakes in detention, help a client apply for bond, and more! For more information, please visit https://www.pairproject.org/pro-bono-attorneys or contact probono@pairproject.org.
Rian Immigrant Center
The Rian Immigrant Center conducts consultation clinics in partnership with the Boston Public Library. Immigration attorneys are needed to help conduct consultations with community members. Interested attorneys should email Lina Adjout at ladjout@riancenter.org.
Court Watch Project
MIRA and MLRI are coordinating a court watch project to learn more about the practices of the Boston and Chelmsford immigration courts. This is a largely remote opportunity, though there may be some in person opportunities as well. If you are interested, please email Marianne Staniunas at Marianne.Staniunas@ropesgray.com.
Habeas Project of New England
The Habeas Project of NE seeks to connect immigration attorneys with habeas experts to file habeas petitions for unlawfully detained individuals. If you are interested in volunteering, further information can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15bLX2yl_GXIXbZzG4yfaPJEPLXig1RtU2I7UCkJ1XyM/edit?tab=t.0.
Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP)
ILAP’s pro bono panel provides representation to asylum seekers in Maine, with assistance from ILAP’s expert staff. If you are interested in signing up, please email Michelle Gentry at mgentry@ilapmaine.org.
If you are an AILA New England chapter member interested in obtaining more information about our Pro Bono activities, please contact one of our pro-bono project liaisons.
AILA New England UPIL Reporting Form
Please do not put any client-identifying information into this form. The UPIL Liaison Committee will follow-up with you if further information is needed. The information entered on this form will be shared with the Office of the Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
* Required