Legal Staff Who Make a Difference

Ursula Furi-Perry

"It affects me in dealings with my personal life. You find yourself thinking about whether you should throw away a plastic bottle," said Dorene Hartford, office manager at the Conservation Law Foundation, a nonprofit environmental advocacy organization. "I provide administrative support for advocates who work in the office," detailed Hartford, who assists with foundation grant packages, takes care of scheduling, helps with event planning, and performs general office duties. Hartford is the only non-attorney in her office, and being alone can pose some challenges. "I don't have anybody to pass something off to," Hartford said. Having previously worked as a legal assistant both in the private and public sectors, "I have enjoyed nonprofit work the most, mostly because of the flexibility," stated Hartford. "The variety of the stuff I do is rewarding."

And paid positions are not the only ways legal staff can get involved: there's a great need for non-attorney volunteers with legal experience in many aspects of the law and related fields. Lou Bugarin, family law paralegal and NFPA representative at the Dallas Area Paralegal Association, not only spends her free time with the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, she also has years of experience as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA.) "We act as guardians ad litem for children," Bugarin explained, "what we do is monitor the case." From a child's education to his/her medical necessities, CASA volunteers keep track of the child's progress and act as liaisons between the parties involved. "Our main concern is the welfare of the child," Bugarin said. "We are definitely encouraged to bring these matters to the courts and may also act as witnesses."

Bugarin finds it difficult to leave her volunteer position at the door sometimes. "It's challenging not to get emotional with the kids. You have to be caring to do this, but at the same time can't allow that," Bugarin said. "It's heartbreaking to recommend to a court that they terminate a parent's rights." Yet even with such emotional hardships, the position has proven to be fulfilling. "The big reward is when you file a successful adoption," Bugarin said. "A lot of times, children in the CPS system get lost; their cases just linger for years. Their needs are not met, and they grow up to be adults in the system, who've never really had a chance." That chance is often given through the work of Bugarin and other CASA volunteers. In fact, some special advocates even provide school supplies and emergency kits to the children.

Bugarin's volunteer work has also helped her on the job as a paralegal. "It has definitely taught me a lot more patience with paying clients and fellow paralegals," she said. As for Hartford, she's learned to juggle multiple projects in her position. "You never know what is going to come down the pike for you as far as the tasks you'll have to do," Hartford stated. "You need to be able to be flexible and adapt to changes. You'll wear many different hats."

If you want to make a difference on the job or through volunteer work, consider turning to the following resources for help:

Many legal staff organizations, such as your local paralegal association, have established pro bono committees that provide volunteer opportunities for interested legal staff.
A local bar association will likely run a volunteer attorney program, which often needs the help of paralegals and legal staff.
Legal aid societies across the nation hire legal assistants and legal staff for paid positions.
Local courthouses may keep a list of available volunteer positions for non-attorney legal staff.
For both paid and volunteer nonprofit positions, visit one of the many websites that connect the nonprofit world, such as www.idealist.org and www.nonprofitjobs.org.