LegalAid finally called me back today, and I agreed to take on a pro bono case. I am excited and freaked out at the same time.
It's a divorce case, and one that could turn nasty. I do not practice family law--although it is a direction I would have to take if I end up going solo. I did work for a family law solo for a short time in law school, so I have drafted divorce petitions, decrees, TRO's and custody modifications, but I've never argued a TRO hearing or done a divorce prove-up. (And I interned in the county where the petition would be filed and saw the judge there throw out more than one pro se petitioner who screwed up their prove-up hearing.)
But I am jumping in with few resources. I no longer have access to internet research or forms manuals. I'm not that worried about the research--I have a cited code book and family law doesn't change that much. But I don't have a forms manual and didn't keep copies of the documents that I drafted as a clerk. I'm sure I can come up with the forms, but I no longer have the luxury of downloading them from my firm's network or library.
Also, it just occurred to me that I have to sign pleading with an actual address. I am almost certain that a P.O. box will not do under the rules in my state. Umm, I don't have an office. And I REALLY don't want o put my home address on pleadings--especially a nasty divorce case.
4 comments:
Two things:
1. Do you know any attorneys who practice family law that would be willing to "mentor" you, i.e. send you forms? Our state bar assoc. has a mentorship program for young lawyers, maybe yours does too?
2. Can LegalAid give you a mailbox at their office? You can also request opposing counsel email you any correspondence/documents, so there's no worry about not receiving documents.
LegalAid in my town gives counsel mailboxes at their offices when necessary. You could also get a PO Box. Congrats!!
P.S. I have Word versions of my very recent docs if that would be helpful.
I can have a mentor assigned through LegalAid, which I will definitely do.
I also plan to contact them about using a mailing address, although I don't mind getting a P.O. Box if I'm not breaking any rules.
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