Volunteer with Legal Hand

Volunteers of the Year


  • Legal Hand Call-In Center serving East Harlem

    I became a Legal Hand volunteer to better understand various issues affecting our underserved communities and to help them overcome those challenges. Through Legal Hand, I learned many ways to help our visitors. The visitors' persistent efforts to fight for their rights and lead better lives invigorated me. Sensing their relief and confidence, just from knowing more about their issues, was immensely rewarding.


  • Legal Hand Call-In Center serving the Capital Region

    Why did they become a Volunteer?

    I joined the Legal Hand Call-In Center during the beginning of my sophomore year, having only declared a criminal justice major the prior semester. I knew that I wanted to work in a domain centered around human rights and social welfare. I tentatively decided to attend law school following my undergraduate years, and as such, I knew I needed to get experience that aligned with the legal realm as well as my interest in human rights. When I came across the Legal Hand Call-In Center, I felt that there was no better opportunity to gain experience, as it provided the perfect balance of technical and hands-on experience.

    Why are they still volunteering with us?

    I have stayed on with the center for a plethora of reasons. One of the main reasons is that I have been able to obtain incredibly valuable skills by speaking to visitors and learning firsthand the many systemic issues that plague our communities. There is a big difference between reading about and analyzing data on these issues versus hearing it firsthand from someone who is going through it. Additionally, I have found such an incredibly supportive environment during my time here. My supervisor, Linds, from the very beginning has been incredibly patient and supportive as I managed the hurdles that come with learning how to take calls and offer the most relevant support for each case. Our center attorney, Rochelle, has provided me with a wealth of information regarding different facets of law, that are relevant to both everyday life and my journey of higher education.

    What do they enjoy about volunteering?

    I have thoroughly enjoyed everything about my volunteer experience. If there was one thing I had to choose that was most enjoyable, it would be the experience of aiding someone and having the resources I provided help them in some way. Being able to make a positive difference in someone’s life, no matter how small, has helped me to see that everyone has the capacity to create change and create positive ripple effects throughout the community. Our visitors call with a diverse array of needs and issues, and many are frustrated with the lack of aid and solutions at their disposal. Providing some level of hope, whether that be through a referral, information regarding services, or even emotional support by listening to them and letting them know that I hear them and am there for them, gives people reassurance that they are not alone in what they are struggling with.


  • Legal Hand Call-In Center serving Nassau and Suffolk Counties

    I chose to become a volunteer to gain valuable experience in the legal field while offering support to those in need without being a burden. Helping others has always been a core part of who I am, and I saw volunteering as an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. During my time with the Legal Hand Call-In Center, I’ve had to adjust my schedule occasionally, but I’ve remained committed because each shift brings new learning experiences. I genuinely value the chance to assist visitors and continue expanding my knowledge. One of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering with Legal Hand is the team I work with. I look forward to every shift, especially the opportunity to learn from Judge Fisher and the rest of the experienced and supportive staff.


  • Legal Hand Call-In Center serving Westchester County

    During my time working with Legal Hand I was fortunate to learn a great amount in a wide variety of legal areas – housing, landlord/tenant relationships, divorce, immigration, traffic court, small claims, custody and visitation, credit card debt, settlement agreements, domestic violence, and so much more. Two cases that Diego and I worked on stand out as particularly strong reminders of the important work that Legal Hand does in the community as well as the educational value Legal Hand provides to its volunteers like me.
    My overall experience working with Legal Hand over the summer as a volunteer and during the fall in the externship program was excellent. It was a truly eye-opening experience for which I am deeply grateful. It helped me develop my communication skills in explaining complex legal matters to community members. It allowed me to access information from my 1L doctrinal courses and apply it to real-world situations in real-time, giving me opportunities to sharpen my problem-solving skills. And perhaps most importantly, it gave me numerous glimpses into the lives of my fellow community members, to better understand their challenges, to empathize with their struggles, and to offer meaningful solutions where I could. While many conversations with visitors to the center can be difficult, and at times it can feel discouraging that we cannot do more, I know that Legal Hand is providing the community with a valuable service. Whenever possible, Legal Hand gives folks who are struggling with legal issues information, resources, and referrals that may help to ease their burdens. When this is not possible, Legal Hand provides a sympathetic outlet for folks to be heard. Although this is a less quantifiable service, I can say with certainty from my time serving as a volunteer, it is still quite valuable to the people of Westchester County.

Volunteering at Legal Hand is a great way to give back to your community and make a real difference in the lives of the people you help. Volunteers play an important role in Legal Hand’s mission to provide access to justice to low-income communities.

At Legal Hand trained community Volunteers, who are not lawyers, provide free legal information, assistance, and referrals to help resolve issues in areas such as housing, family, domestic violence, immigration, and public benefits, and try to prevent problems from turning into legal actions. People contacting Legal Hand are made to feel welcome, no appointments are necessary and there are no eligibility requirements. Assistance is available during weekday hours, evenings and weekends.

Legal Hand Volunteers come from all backgrounds and walks of life. No experience in legal work is necessary. Volunteers do not provide legal advice. Volunteers commit to one 3-hour shift per week for a six-month period.  

Volunteers are provided with training in a variety of subject areas, learn valuable interviewing skills, and the limits of advice non-lawyer Volunteers can provide. Volunteers must also be comfortable with the use of computers.

Legal Hand Call-In Center non-lawyer Volunteers work from home. The Legal Hand Call-In Center provides each Volunteer with a laptop and headset.

Residents from the Capital Region are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information about becoming a Legal Hand Volunteer at the Legal Hand Call-In Center, please contact us at capitalregion@legalhand.org.

Volunteer with Legal Hand’s Call-In Center serving the Capital Region

Volunteer with Legal Hand’s Call-In Center serving Nassau and Suffolk Counties

Volunteer with Legal Hand’s Call-In Center serving
East Harlem

Volunteer with Legal Hand’s Call-In Center serving
Brownsville

Legal Hand Call-In Center non-lawyer Volunteers work from home. The Legal Hand Call-In Center provides each Volunteer with a laptop and headset.

Nassau/Suffolk County residents are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information about becoming a Legal Hand Volunteer at the Legal Hand Call-In Center, please contact us at nassausuffolk@legalhand.org.

Legal Hand Call-In Center non-lawyer Volunteers work from home. The Legal Hand Call-In Center provides each Volunteer with a laptop and headset.

Brownsville residents are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information about becoming a Legal Hand Volunteer at the Legal Hand Call-In Center, contact us at brownsville@legalhand.org.

Legal Hand Call-In Center non-lawyer Volunteers work from home. The Legal Hand Call-In Center provides each Volunteer with a laptop and headset.

East Harlem residents are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information about becoming a Legal Hand Volunteer at the Legal Hand Call-In Center, contact us at eastharlem@legalhand.org.

Volunteer with Legal Hand’s Call-In Center serving Westchester County

Legal Hand Call-In Center non-lawyer Volunteers work from home. The Legal Hand Call-In Center provides each Volunteer with a laptop and headset.

Westchester County residents are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information about becoming a Legal Hand Volunteer at the Legal Hand Call-In Center, click here or contact us at westchester@legalhand.org.