Community Lawyering Lambreni Waddell Neighborhood Legal Services of

Community Lawyering Lambreni Waddell, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County Zoe Cronin, Greater Boston Legal Services

Community Lawyering �How do we define it? �How do we start? �How do we evaluate our effectiveness? �How do we fundraise to support it?

In Community Lawyering, legal advocates support community groups and their members to • build power • develop leadership • change systems (laws, administrative practices, economic conditions, or social mores) • further a social movement

Community Organizing Community Lawyering Purpose- Community builds power to advance their own interests Purpose- Lawyer increases the capacity of community to advance its interests Role of the organizer- Identify & develop community leaders, define the issue, develop an organizing strategy, etc. Role of the lawyer. Act as legal consultant, provide legal defense for members, advise on legal implications of a strategy, open doors so community members lead Tools. Public demonstrations, political engagement, media advocacy Tools. Legal advocacy, legal education, technical assistance in drafting legislation.

Review the LSC regulations so that you are clear about what is prohibited and what is permitted. § 1612. 3 Prohibited legislative & administrative activities. § 1612. 4 Grassroots lobbying. § 1612. 7 Public demonstrations and activities. § 1612. 8 Training. § 1612. 9 Organizing. Need additional guidance? LSC Program Letter 13 -5

Organizing: What is prohibited? The restrictions prohibit the use of LSC funds or private funding “to initiate the formation, or to act as an organizer, of any association, federation, labor union, coalition, network, alliance, or any similar entity. ” 45 C. F. R. § 1612. 9(a). Organizing that would include activity that violates the prohibitions on grassroots lobbying, attempts to influence, or training is not permitted regardless of the funding source. LSC Program Letter 13 -5

Organizing: What is permitted? Organizing supported with non-LSC, non-private funds is permitted, so long as the organizing does not violate other restrictions. Restriction against organizing does not apply to (1) informational meetings attended by persons engaged in the delivery of legal services at which information about new developments in the law and pending cases or matters are discussed; (2) organizations composed exclusively of eligible clients formed for the purpose of advising a legal services program about the delivery of legal services; or (3) legal advice or assistance by recipients to eligible clients who desire to plan, establish or operate organizations. 45 C. F. R. § 1612. 9(b). LSC Program Letter 13 -5

Why do it? �Creates long-lasting bonds and community �Do great things �More efficient �Support system �Builds leadership for everyone involved �Changes law and lives

Create the culture v. Engagement v. Relationships v. Curiosity v. Creativity

Choose Your legal advocate wisely v. Connection to community or issue v. Heart for communitybased work v. Takes initiative v. Thinks big-picture v. Approachable

Choose v. Trusted & respected v. Alignment of goals your v. Capacity to deliver community v. Clear process for partner decision making wisely v. Relational

Choose your model v What will be the relationship between the community lawyer and the community partner? v What legal tools does the community partner and/or its members need to achieve the goal? v What does the community lawyer need from the community partner and/or its members in order for the legal tools to be effective? v When, where and how will legal services be delivered? v When, where and how will the organizing take place?

�Community lawyering helps support broad solutions to social problems. �Opens the door to social justice funders. �Integrates your legal practice with the greater community. �Cooperative fundraising will raise more money over time. �Innovations appeal to national and international funders.

�Considerations. . . �Legal role may be smaller than you think �You will have to start project first, then fund it �Craft your deliverables �Continuous dialogue with your funder �How will you evaluate success?

�How will the advocate know if he/she is an effective community lawyer? �What would a successful partnership look like? �What will we accomplish? How? When?

�How is your advocate doing? �How strong is the partnership? �How effective is the work?

DISCUSSION �Is Community Lawyering something your program already does or wants to do? �How will you support these efforts? �How would you create an action plan for fundraising?

CONTACT US Lambreni Waddell Director of Community Engagement Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County 13327 Van Nuys Boulevard Pacoima, CA 91331 (818) 492 -5246 Lambreni. Waddell@nlsla. org Zoe Cronin Managing Attorney, Housing Unit Greater Boston Legal Services 197 Friend Street Boston, MA 02114 (617) 603 -1643 zcronin@gbls. org