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?

DEFINE

DEFINITION 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 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 Legal advocacy, legal education, technical assistance in drafting legislation.

DEFINE 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

DEFINE 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

DEFINE 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 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; organizations composed exclusively of eligible clients formed for the purpose of advising a legal services program about the delivery of legal services; or 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

START

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

START Create the culture Engagement Relationships Curiosity Creativity

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

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

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

FUNDRAISE

FUNDRAISE 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.

FUNDRAISE 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?

EVALUATE

EVALUATE 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?

EVALUATE 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 LambreniWaddell@nlsla.org Zoe Cronin Managing Attorney, Housing Unit Greater Boston Legal Services 197 Friend Street Boston, MA 02114 (617) 603-1643 zcronin@gbls.org