National Children's Center

Become a Pro Bono Attorney

The Center provides pro bono attorneys an opportunity to make a difference at a critical juncture in a child’s life, while also developing client advocacy, litigation, research and writing skills.  The Center is also recruiting immigration experts as mentors, family law experts, volunteer interpreters, mental health workers, and other volunteers.

The Center seeks attorneys of all levels of experience, skill, and background to represent children or to mentor other attorneys. Pro bono attorneys do not need prior experience in immigration law. Most of the children are in legal proceedings before the U.S. Department of Justice's Immigration Courts and/or state juvenile courts.   Many are seeking asylum or protection from abuse, neglect, trafficking, or other serious crimes.  Some children will return to their home country and require guidance obtaining services in their country.  Pro bono counsel will assist these children by coordinating their departure and return.

Resources & Training

The Center offers all  pro bono attorneys the training necessary to provide their child client with high quality representation.  Training sessions include legal procedures, substantive forms of relief, tips on interviewing children, valuable information about social services and more. 
After the training session, each pro bono counsel receives reference materials to further guide them in case preparation.  If needed, the Center also pairs counsel with a mentor attorney or seasoned immigration advocate to answer questions and provide tactical guidance throughout the case, and our comprehensive, easy-to-access online resource library also serves as an invaluable point of reference and information.   

Many attorneys who have provided pro bono assistance to refugee or immigrant children have found the experience to be immensely rewarding.  Download, print and fill out our volunteer form to get started, and for more information visit the links below to view past case archives,  reference materials, and read submitted stories and experiences from past pro bono counsel.

• Download the National Children's Center Volunteer Form

• Submitted letters and stories from past pro bono teams

• View the Emil Gumpert Resource Library--case archives, updates on current issues, news articles and many more resources

• Check out the Immigrant Children Lawyers Network and find out about conference calls, training sessions and more about our program