Volunteering At A Dv Legal Clinic As An Undergraduate Student

Hi,

I'm interested in volunteering at a DV clinic. Specifically, I want to help women draft certain documents, specifically either criminal or civil complaints, as well as do things like draft restraining orders or help work with child custody situations. I don't have any official legal background. I'm currently an undergraduate student very interested in law. However, I do have about five years of experience, informally, working with legal practices, as well as drafting legal documents. I also have lawyers that, informally, while they won't represent any clients, are happy to look over the drafts I prepare.

I know that by no means am I a paralegal a lawyer, no do I replace their expertise or experience, but I feel that a lot of times these women have nobody to explain the complicated cases too. I feel that a lot of times, firms and prosecutors may not take their case of seriously due to the complexity of it and the effort, especially for firms, with minimal monetary compensation, that it might take to go pursue this.

However, I'm looking to help out the woman who have no one else to go to. do you know where I should reach out to ask if I can volunteer? I'm based in PA, but my main experience is NJ, and I also can travel to NJ anytime. I'll be happy to learn statute in any other state or jurisdiction. Personally, I wanna volunteer because I find this fulfilling. I am genuinely happy to make any accommodations that I need to support the clients.

Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Location: NJ and PA (Philadelphia)