Current Public Service Opportunities

 

Below is a list of Public Service opportunities available to TU Law students. To participate in one of these opportunities, contact the Professional Development Office at 918-631-2430. 

COURTHOUSE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CAP) INFO SESSION WITH JUDGE MILLIE OTEY

For those of you seeking a unique pro bono opportunity and hands on courtroom experience, please see information below regarding the CAP Program and attend our informational session presented by Judge Otey to learn more.  You would be assisting attorneys with the FED Docket and could volunteer as your schedule permits.  Even one afternoon per month would be acceptable.  Here are just a few of the benefits:

  • Help the Tulsa County Courthouse, Judges and Attorneys as well as give back to your community;

  • Observe first hand courtroom experience and learn how to communicate effectively with clients;

  • Establish a positive rapport  within the legal community; 

  • Learn about landlord/tenant law; and

  • BOOST YOUR LEGAL EXPERIENCE AND RESUME!

The Tulsa County Bar Association and Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc., along with members of the Tulsa County judiciary and the Tulsa County Bar, have established the Courthouse Assistance Program ("CAP").  The goal of CAP is to provide short-term legal assistance at the courthouse, on a volunteer basis, to individuals who have the immediate need for, but cannot afford to hire, counsel in civil matters.

The initial phase of the program involves volunteer attorneys at the Forcible Entry and Detainer ("FED") Docket.  The attorneys are available to meet with unrepresented parties who meet certain income guidelines in the courtroom after the docket is called and, if necessary, to represent them at the hearings and/or conferences which take place that day.  THE ATTORNEYS NEED YOUR HELP WITH THIS DOCKET.

The FED Docket is held each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 2:00 pm in Courtroom 112 and lasts 3-5 hours.  Presently, volunteer attorneys are available at the Tuesday and Thursday dockets.  The cases involve landlords who are trying to evict and/or recover rent from tenants.  The Court initially calls the docket to determine who is present and which of the matters are contested and may go forward later in the afternoon.  The Court then takes a recess to allow the parties in the contested matters to meet and attempt to resolve their differences.  Following the recess, the Court then hears the contested matters the parties were unable to resolve during the recess.

If you are interested in training, please plan to attend the student information session: January 18, 2012, 12:20 pm in the Courtroom, RSVP on Symplicity.

CAP Training is scheduled or Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 12:20 in the Courtroom. This training has been approved for one hour of Professional Development credit. RSVP on Symplicity.

Community Service Symposium

Coming in March 2012.

QUESTIONS: Contact the Graduate School Office, 631-2715, or email mailto:research-colloquium@utulsa.edu

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE:
Participants must be current students at The University of Tulsa. (All Undergraduate, Graduate, Law, and Non-degree seeking students are eligible to participate.)

Submissions must discuss a community service project that the student has been involved in within the last 12 months. Group projects are also acceptable for submission.

Eligible community service projects may address any service provided for the benefit of a community (does not have to be related to Tulsa), group or individual. Submissions may also address projects that a student has founded themselves and does not necessarily have to involve pre-existing community service organizations or foundations.

The University of Tulsa has always actively encouraged involvement in the community and this symposium will provide an opportunity for students to gain public-speaking experience while discussing their preferred community service organizations or projects to a larger audience.

Tulsa Lawyers for Children Training


Tulsa Lawyers for Children, Inc. ("TLC") recruits, trains and provides ongoing assistance to volunteer attorneys who represent children up to 18 years of age who have been abused, neglected or abandoned and who are subjects of "deprived" cases in the Tulsa County Juvenile Court.  TLC volunteers include not only law students but litigators, family lawyers,corporate attorneys, former judges, former general counsels of large public companies, patent and trademark attorneys, law school professors and many others who bring their experience, talent and dedication into a system largely hidden from public scrutiny by the veil of confidentiality which cloaks juvenile proceedings.  One of the ways TLC provides ongoing assistance is its T.U. Law Student Pro Bono Project and its Shelter Visitation & Show Cause Hearing Project.  T.U. Law Students attend the same training as attorney volunteers and then act as volunteer legal assistants to volunteer attorneys on their TLC cases.  This is particularly helpful when timely visits with the child clients become difficult for the attorney.  Law Students also interview children coming into the shelter and appear at "show cause" hearings as guardians ad litem.  Attendance at the training program does not obligate you to take a case nor to participate in the TLC projects. You have nothing to lose - and Tulsa's kids have so much to gain.  Please join us! The next training program for TLC volunteer lawyers will be held at the University of Tulsa College of Law in Spring 2012 in Room 206.  Each of the sessions covers different material:

Session 1: Basics of deprived case  - March 30, 2012, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Session 2: Child's attorney's duties; Role of DHS  - April 6, 2012, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Session 3: ICWA; Procedures; Jury trials; In need of treatment - April 13, 2012, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Session 4: Communicating with the child client - April 20, 2012, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

 

DVIS (Domestic Violence Intervention Services): Civil Legal

After completion of DVIS training you will be eligible to work for DVIS. These are all the cool things in which you will be able to particpate.

Child Advocacy : Child advocates play an important role in helping children who are living at the DVIS/Call Rape Shelter or at Sojourner's Inn, the transitional living facility, by assisting counselors in play therapy during therapy groups at both locations.

Court Advocacy : Staff and volunteers at the Court Advocacy Office assist survivors in obtaining Protective Orders for themselves, and if necessary, minor children.

Crisis Line : Our agency maintains a 24-hour emergency crisis line 918.7HELP.ME (918.743.5763) for round-the-clock assistance to victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Family Safety Center: Assist survivors in obtaining Emergency Protective Orders.

Cindy Cunningham, TU Law Alum ('90), is the Director of Legal Services for DVIS (Domestic Violence Intervention Services, Inc. (DVIS)/Call Rape).  DVIS is willing to sponsor students wishing to obtain their Oklahoma Legal License Intern Certification.

 

Don't miss out on current Conference and Career Fair events.

Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair

The Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair provides access to job opportunities in an event soley dedicated to law students. Law students can find jobs, internships and camaraderie at the largest public interest conference and career fair in the country. For more information please visit http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/law-school/conference-and-careerfair .

Neighbor For Neighbor Legal Clinic

Areas of the law include: Divorce, Name Changes, Simple Wills, Guardianship, Paternity, Landlord-Tenant, Contract and Workers Compensation

Volunteers have an opportunity to assist with client intake, perform legal research and summarize it. The legal clinic is open Monday-Thursday 9:00am - 3:00pm plus one night a month.
For volunteers to be most useful to the legal clinic you should be available twice a week.

Homeless Legal Assistance Project, Legal Aid of Oklahoma/CLS

Areas of the law include: Disability, Homeless, Housing, Public Benefits, and Veterans Rights

Training required, offered once a semester at the College of Law.

Ann Patterson Dooley Family Safety Center

Areas of the law: Domestic Violence

Volunteers can assist in two different ways: Intake, helping victims of domestic violence fill out forms requesting a protective order, Spanish speaking would be useful but is NOT required or statistics, help gather statistics on numbers of people who are affected by domestic violence.

Oklahoma Indian Legal Services, Inc.

Areas of the law include: Civil Rights, Consumer, Education, Family & Juvenile, Health, Nonprofit Organizations, Elder, Debt/Credit/Bankruptcy, and Environmental

CASA

Areas of the law: Children

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are trained community volunteers appointed by a judge to speak up for abused and neglected children in court. A CASA works for the judge, alongside attorneys and social workers, as an appointed officer of the court. Training is required and there is an application process.

Tulsa Dream Center

Areas of the law: Family, Landlord/Tenant, Property, Consumer

The Dream Center is a faith based ministry which provides multiple services for the people in it's North Tulsa neighborhood. These services include a twice a month legal clinic, food and clothing distribution, medical and dental care, education services, and worship services.  Volunteers are needed in all areas.

Youth Services

Areas of the law: runs Tulsa Youth Court

Law students can assist the high school students involved in Youth Court. Law students can help lawyers teach training sessions and assist with the actual court proceedings of the Youth Court. Cases are referred to Youth Court by the juvenile justice system.

City of Tulsa - Department of Human Rights

Areas of the law: Civil Rights, Constitutional, Housing, and Employment

The city's Department of Human Rights focuses on ensuring equal rights and enforcing local civil rights law in the areas of housing, employment, public accommodation; and ensuring that minority and female owned businesses are afforded equal opportunity in contracting activities with the city.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters: TU Bigs

TU Bigs is a branch of Big Brothers/Big Sisters comprised of TU students (of all colleges) who actively participate in Big Brothers and Sister of Oklahoma. The majority of the kids TU Bigs are matched with come from Kendall-Whittier Elementary School. TU Bigs spend one hour a week at the school with their little brother/sister.

OCCJ

The Oklahoma Conference for Community and Justice is a human relations organization dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry, and racism in Oklahoma. OCCJ promotes understanding and respect among all races, religions, and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution, and education. Law students can assist by becoming a "Different and the Same" facilitator.

Tulsa Area Agency on Aging - Ombudsman

Areas of the law: Elder law

Ombudsman volunteers are advocates for people living in nursing homes, assisted living and residential care facilities. If you are concerned about the needs of older people, able to work with many types of people, willing and able to follow problems through to resolution this volunteer opportunity would be a good fit. Training is provided.

Oklahoma Center for Consumer & Patient Safety

Volunteer research positions available. The Oklahoma Center for Consumer and Patient Safety is a nonprofit consumer and patient advocacy organization to inform and encourage grass-roots efforts to impact consumer and patient interests in congress, the executive branch and the courts. It also takes on big industries and the politicians every day in legislatures, the courts and in the media. For more information see their website at www.okccps.org

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels has an urgent need for people who are willing to deliver meals to elderly and disabled people. Volunteers can help one day a week on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday, between 9AM and 11AM (or more if you like).

Kendall Whittier Food Pantry

The Kendall Whittier Food Pantry seeks volunteers to deliver food to neighborhood clients. The food pantry is located in the University United Methodist Church at 5th & College. Volunteers work in pairs and deliver groceries to residents in the neighborhood surrounding TU. Assistance is needed from 10 am - noon Monday through Saturday.

Girl Scouts

The Girl Scouts of the Eastern Oklahoma seek a variety of volunteers: troop leader and assistant leader, troop sponsor, outdoor activities, special programs, and clerical office help. There is an application and interview process for volunteers to go through before beginning volunteer activities with the Girl Scouts.

Day Center for the Homeless

Volunteer opportunities include: front desk assistant, the clothing room, clerks in the clinic, and office assistant. These positions require a commitment of a few hours a week and are pretty flexible. There are also opportunities for groups to volunteer including: the clothing room, building maintenance, night dinners, and donation drives (items and money).

Kendall-Whittier Elementary School

Kendall-Whittier is a partner in education with the University of Tulsa and is one of six community schools in Tulsa. They provide more than education to their students and also provide education to the families of their students. The school is only a few short blocks from the College of Law. There are a number of ways you or your student organization can get involved at Kendall-Whittier Elementary.

Autism Legislation Project (ALP)

Areas of the law: Legislation, Autism

Law students are invited to participate in a pro bono opportunity to research state, national, and international legislation relating to autism, the fastest growing developmental disability in the nation. Working under the direction of an experienced Chicago attorney, students will collaboratively research and assist in other aspects of the group's activities. Tele-conferences will be held on a regular basis to discuss ongoing research and new developments with the ALP. Additionally, interns will assist in developing and evaluating strategies for the advancement of project objectives. Participating students will be required to devote a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week during the summer conducting research and preparing written documentation. For more information on ALP, see http://www.autismlegislation.org/about.html
Interested students should submit a resume to larrylobb@sbcglobal.net for consideration.

Disclaimer

The University of Tulsa College of Law and the Professional Development Office do not warranty any opportunities posted. Details are to be worked out between the student and the organization or lawyer who the student is assisting.