The New York City Bar Association’s Committee on Legal Services for Persons of Moderate Means, in conjunction with the City Bar Justice Center, seeks volunteer attorneys to staff the Monday Night Law (MNL) clinic, which begins its 24th year in September. MNL is designed to address the public’s need for affordable, accessible legal assistance by holding clinics every Monday evening at the City Bar. At the clinics, volunteers meet with clients who have been screened by the Association’s Legal Referral Service, which coordinates MNL’s scheduling. Volunteers must attend two training sessions in September and commit to attend a clinic one Monday evening per month from October 2014 through August 2015.

During 30-minute appointments, clients and attorneys discuss issues in the areas of housing, employment, family law, consumer law, small business and personal bankruptcy. The volunteers do not take any cases, but will distribute materials and provide explanations and suggestions to help clients understand and find solutions to their legal problems on their own, or, where appropriate, make referrals for representation back to the Legal Referral Service or other legal services providers.

Volunteer attorneys must commit to attending two training sessions at the City Bar, on Monday, Sept. 8, 2014, and Monday, Sept. 22, 2014, from 5:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Meeting Hall on the second floor of the Association. Continuing legal education credit is available upon completing the requirements for the trainings and attendance at the MNL clinics; pro bono CLE credit is also available for the MNL clinic work.

No prior experience in the topics covered is necessary. To participate in the program, volunteer attorneys must (1) be admitted to practice in New York, and (2) have been practicing law for at least two years in the public sector, private practice, as in-house counsel, or in some other capacity, or have had some significant related experience. There are limited roles for non-admitted attorneys. For a copy of the full clinic description and an application to participate, please email here by Friday, Aug. 15, 2014.