Strategically Position Yourself in the Political Arena as a Law Student: Get Involved with Volunteer Opportunities

Summary

Volunteering is an important part of a law student's educational journey. Not only does it allow them to gain valuable legal experience, but it also allows them to become involved in political and civic issues. As a result, law student volunteers can gain a better understanding of the law and legal system, as well as acquire important skills such as communication, problem solving, and negotiation.


There are a variety of ways that law students can get involved in volunteer work. They can join professional organizations, such as the American Bar Association (ABA), which provides volunteer opportunities in public interest law, public policy and government service. In addition, the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) provides legal observers for community demonstrations. Law students can also work with legal aid organizations such as the Legal Services Corporation (LSC).

Law students who want to stay involved in politics and public policy can also volunteer on political campaigns or work with local and national legislators. This type of volunteering provides law students with access to first-hand experience with the legal system, which can be invaluable in understanding how policy and laws are made.

Another way for law students to get involved in public service is to volunteer with nonprofit organizations. These organizations often focus on social justice causes, such as providing legal advice to those who cannot afford it. In addition, many nonprofits also provide education and advocacy. This type of work provides law students with an opportunity to make a difference in their communities and on a larger scale.

Finally, law student volunteers can participate in bar associations or state bar associations. Student memberships offer a range of services and benefits, such as access to seminars, continuing legal education and networking events. Additionally, law student volunteers can become involved in pro bono projects, which are supervised by practicing attorneys and provide legal assistance to those who cannot afford to hire a private attorney.

Overall, volunteering is a great way for law students to stay involved in politics and public policy, gain valuable experience and make a difference in their community. Whether they volunteer through an organization, with a nonprofit or on a political campaign, law student volunteers can gain valuable skills and knowledge, which may be beneficial for their post-graduate career.
 

Law Student Volunteers: How to Stay in the Political Game

Political campaigns depend on volunteers to get the job done effectively. Law students can provide law-related expertise to a political campaign, and can gain valuable work experience by doing so. Whether the student is interested in a full-time volunteer position or simply in helping out during a campaign, there are a number of ways in which law students can get involved in political campaigns.
 

Volunteer Opportunities for Law Students

During a campaign, nearly every task requires some form of law-related expertise. Legal research, legal writing and communications, and policy analysis are all common tasks for which law students can volunteer. In addition, law students can be instrumental in providing advice on election law and other issues. Many political campaigns have an in-house team of attorneys and law students that can provide this type of expertise.
 

How to Get Involved in Political Campaigns

Law students can get involved in a political campaign in several ways. One option is to contact a state or local political party and inquire about volunteer opportunities with the party's candidates. Law school student associations and local political organizations may provide additional opportunities, as may other organizations and associations with a political focus.
 

Tips for Law Student Volunteers

Law student volunteers should remember to provide service that is relevant to their legal studies and experiences. They should be aware of the various types of campaigns they can be involved in and the types of roles they can fill. For example, volunteers in a political campaign may be able to provide advice and guidance on legal issues, such as civil rights and voter eligibility. Law student volunteers should also be aware of the rules that govern political campaigns and the regulations that apply to their particular state or jurisdiction.

<<''As Tip O'Neill said, 'all politics are local,' meaning for us that just because the presidential and congressional races are complete does not necessarily mean that there is a dearth of opportunities for law students interested in campaigns,'' said Clark A. Wohlferd 2L, President of the NYU Law Republicans at New York University School of Law. The group has a membership of 100 students, some of whom volunteered at the 2004 Republican National Convention and others as poll watchers on Election Day.

Mr. Wohlferd said New York City has many volunteer opportunities for law students. He said the upcoming mayoral election in the fall of 2005 is a perfect example, giving members of the Law Republicans the opportunity to volunteer and support Mayor Michael Bloomberg's expected candidacy. Volunteering allows many students to gain political experience as well as play roles in causes they support.

''For me it is as simple as the subtle satisfaction that I have contributed to something that I believe in,'' Mr. Wohlferd said. ''At the end of the day, my contribution may be pretty small, but at least I have done something rather than spend my time critical of government without actually attempting to take part in the political process.''

Jacob Olcott, 3L, is President of the Law Democrats at the University of Virginia School of Law. The Virginia Law Democrats volunteered as poll workers, helped the Secretary of the State Board of Elections, and were on hand to offer advice to voters that might be turned away from polls. ''For most law students, I think volunteering on a campaign is a return to reality. We spend so much of our time with our noses in our books, chatting with ourselves in our own insulated community that we forget there's a world going on outside,'' explained Mr. Olcott. ''Politics and political campaigns give volunteers an opportunity to connect with their communities. It's also a great networking tool. It's no big secret that many people work for candidates to build resumes and job connections.''

Working on city or state races can often give students more hands-on experience. Mr. Olcott said that it's at the state and local levels, rather than national, where all the action is at. He points to the state of Virginia, which in 2005 will be electing a governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. ''These off-year elections are important for Democrats because it's a good way to stop the national tide. A good showing in Virginia will offset gains made by Republicans in this year's election cycle.''

Mr. Olcott believes that the strength of Virginia Democrats in 2005 can pave the way toward Virginia Governor Mark Warner's bid for the presidency in 2008. Running a southern governor for president could give Democrats nationwide an edge, he said. ''I think, personally, 2005 is a huge election cycle, and it just happens that Virginia is where it's all going down.''

Bassel Charles Korkor, 2L, President of OSU Law School Democrats at Ohio State University's Moritz College of Law, said that he believes law school prepares students for political volunteer work. ''Law students attain a specific and unique set of skills at law school, skills that can really be useful to many political and legislative situations, even after major elections.''

Mr. Korkor said that in 2005, municipalities throughout Ohio, including Cincinnati, will hold mayoral elections, and by 2006 Ohio will have elections for statewide offices. ''Both Democratic and Republican primaries for Ohio's gubernatorial race promise to be as close and exciting as ever.''

Mr. Korkor added that law students can remain involved after officials are elected. More than a dozen Ohio State Law students work in legislative offices at the Ohio Statehouse each semester, he said. Students are part of the school's Clinic Program, and their work is complemented by a classroom component and taught by a professor who worked in the U.S. Senate and one who worked at the Ohio Senate. ''I just finished a semester as a legal intern at the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus, where I helped research issues like campaign finance and election law.''

There are also non-political opportunities out there for law students. ''In 2004, we saw the tremendous role that nonprofit organizations can play in elections. These groups spend the off years doing important work to build their resources for future elections,'' said Mr. Korkor.

Nonprofits are often involved in pre- and post-election litigation, where the volunteer help of law students is much needed. Members of the OSU Law School Democrats have provided legal research and writing for attorneys working on post-election litigation for nonprofit organizations, Mr. Korkor said. ''It is good experience for the students and very appreciated by the attorneys.''

Volunteering at any level provides students the opportunity to work alongside lawyers, judges, and campaign officials who may become valuable contacts. Apart from the experience, it can allow students to work toward something they believe in, whether it is supporting a candidate, pushing an issue important to them, or striving to help their community. And for law students absorbed in the daily demands of law school, it can also be a window into the outside world.

''During law school, unlike during an undergraduate education, it is very easy to close yourself off to what is happening in the real world,'' said Mr. Wohlferd. ''I think volunteering is an outlet for students. It's a chance to move out of academia, if only for a short while, to contribute in the real world.''