Below are common questions from pro bono volunteers like you. We hope you find the answers helpful in resolving your case. If you need further assistance, please reach out to [email protected].

Bankruptcy Referrals: Bankruptcy is a frequently requested service at LSNV, but we only have resources to represent individuals facing the most dire financial circumstances.  LSNV needs volunteer attorneys to represent clients in Chapter 7 bankruptcies.  These cases tend to be routine, no asset cases.  Our panel of volunteer bankruptcy attorneys also serve as a referral source for fee-generating over-income applicants or Chapter 13 cases.        

Income Tax Disputes: LSNV’s Low Income Tax Clinic assists taxpayers in resolving issues with the IRS at every point in the tax process, from responding to a simple request for more information to litigating in the Tax Court and other federal courts.  We also help taxpayers resolve collections issues such as liens, levies, penalties, and large tax balances.  Our LITC staff offers volunteer attorneys training and mentoring on all aspects of the IRS “Fresh Start” program, including how to prepare and navigate the popular Offer in Compromise program.        

Fairfax Consumer Protection Clinic: LSNV collaborates with the Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center (NVPBLC) to operate the Consumer Protection Clinic. Volunteer Attorneys provide advice and sometimes representation to low-income clients to help them maintain financial stability by preventing costly garnishments or stopping overreaching collection actions that could unjustly enrich plaintiffs beyond fair compensation for alleged contract breaches. Volunteer attorneys can receive free CLE training in exchange for committing to two appointment dates. Client consultations are held every other Wednesday and can be conducted remotely from the attorney’s office.

Pro bono attorneys are also encouraged to represent clients in court for meritorious cases. LSNV staff attorneys are available to provide guidance and support throughout the process. For more information, please contact Arlene Beckerman, Esq., at NVPBLC to get involved, [email protected].      

Attorney of the Day program: Volunteer attorneys represent protective order petitioners in family abuse matters in Fairfax. A free CLE training is available in exchange for an agreement to sign up to assist clients on specific upcoming dates. Volunteers represent clients in meritorious matters in the J&DR court. LSNV staff is available for mentoring in the case. Volunteers may also take protective orders in other Northern Virginia jurisdictions.

Employment Clinic: LSNV partners with the Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center (NVPBLC) to run the Employment Clinic, held every other Thursday. Volunteer employment attorneys provide low-income clients with legal advice on issues such as employment discrimination, unpaid wages, and unemployment compensation—without any follow-up legal work required.

Interviews can be conducted virtually from the attorney’s office. While no formal training is provided, an LSNV attorney is available for consultation during client meetings, and substantive written materials are provided. Volunteers are only responsible for the initial consultation, with no obligation for further representation.

For more information, please contact Arlene Beckerman, Esq., at NVPBLC to get involved, [email protected]

Wills Clinic: Volunteer attorneys create simple personal declarative documents such as a will, power of attorney and/or medical directive during a 2-3 hour appointment.

Uncontested Divorce: Volunteer attorneys are asked to handle uncontested divorce cases on behalf of LSNV applicants.  A free CLE training is available in exchange for an agreement to take cases. LSNV pre-screens cases to make sure that custody, support, and property issues are either resolved and/or not at issue.

LSNV has several pro bono opportunities to assist tenants in Fairfax County who are facing eviction.

Housing Clinic: LSNV partners with the Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center (NVPBLC) to run the virtual Housing Law Clinic, every Tuesday. Pro bono attorneys assist low-income tenants avoid eviction by helping them understand their rights and the court process, providing legal advice, and, in some cases, representing tenants facing eviction. Interviews can be conducted virtually. 

In Court Representation: LSNV refers individual eviction cases to partner firms and attorneys for representation in court.

A free housing law CLE training is available for interested attorneys who want to participate in the housing clinic or be on our housing pro bono referral list.  For more information, please email [email protected].

Volunteer attorneys represent former military servicemembers in discharge upgrade cases and VA disability compensation claims.

LSNV offers a variety of other volunteer opportunities including criminal record expungement and uncontested guardianship.