Who can volunteer for the Just Deeds Project through VLN?

If you are a corporate attorney or city attorney who would like to volunteer for the Just Deeds Project but do not have malpractice insurance through your employer, Volunteer Lawyers Network may be able to provide malpractice insurance for your pro bono work through the Just Deeds Project helping individuals to renounce racially restrictive covenants contained in real estate deeds.

How to volunteer for the Just Deeds Project through VLN:

To volunteer for the Just Deeds Project through Volunteer Lawyers Network, please take the following steps:

  1. Partner with a city attorney’s office to obtain a client.
  2. Complete an online Volunteer Attorney Registration – Just Deeds Project form with Volunteer Lawyers Network by clicking here (if you are already registered as a volunteer attorney with VLN, you do not need to complete this online registration).
  3. VLN recommends that you have your client sign a Just Deeds Limited-scope Retainer Agreement to clearly limit the scope of the services you will provide and to limit your malpractice liability. Please send this completed form to Glen Drew at [email protected].
  4. Provide legal services to your client.
  5. Inform VLN of the outcome of your case by completing a Just Deeds Case Closing Form. VLN cannot give you credit for your pro bono work or cover your work under our malpractice insurance if you do not complete this form. Please send this completed form to Glen Drew at [email protected]

Attorneys working on Just Deeds Project cases do not need to attend a volunteer orientation which is specific to working with low-income clients.

Why volunteer for the Just Deeds Project through VLN?

Doing pro bono work is not a zero-sum game. Volunteering for the Just Deeds Project requires a minimum amount of time and training compared to the many other volunteer opportunities available through VLN that directly assist low-income clients. As such, the Just Deeds Project is a great opportunity for attorneys who might be new to pro bono work or transactional attorneys who do not litigate in court proceedings as a normal part of their practice.

What resources are available for attorneys working on Just Deeds Project cases through VLN?

Due to its limited staff time and resources, VLN does not provide direct support to volunteer attorneys working on Just Deeds Project cases like it does for volunteer attorneys assisting or representing low-income clients. Please see this Just Deeds Project Discharge Process for Attorneys document for an overview of how to discharge a racially restrictive covenant and contact your partner city attorney’s office with any questions.