FRP Outreach Volunteers Project connects Florida paralegals with legal aid needs
The newly launched FRP Outreach Volunteers Project seeks Florida Registered Paralegals willing to volunteer with legal aid organizations that need help. Volunteers will assist with specific tasks on pro bono cases, working with supervising attorneys within the legal aid organization.
How it works:
- FRPs fill out an interest form to participate and those names are sorted by name, area of the state, areas of law, and availability.
- Legal aid organizations contact the project co-chairs to request volunteer help based on the specific need.
- Project co-chairs sort the list based on the specific needs and match those FRPs who can help according to the information provided on the interest form.
Q&A with project Co-Chairs Jessica J. Peter of Dunedin and Irma M. Tharp of Miami:
Q: Are there any areas of need that are especially great?
A: Family, housing, and consumer issues are consistently cited as areas needing most assistance. However, assistance is needed throughout all areas of law in our state. According to the Florida Courts E-Filing Authority 2023-2024 Annual Report, there were 525,962 self-represented litigants’ total filer accounts as opposed to 104,609 attorneys’ total filer accounts. Florida Registered Paralegals are educated and regulated in various areas of law. We already have 80 FRPs that have completed the form for the FRP Outreach Volunteer Project, and we look forward to matching FRPs to legal aid organizations throughout the state of Florida.
Q: Why/How did this project come about?
A: The Florida Registered Paralegal Enrichment Committee’s Regulation Subcommittee has been following efforts around the country to deliver affordable legal services to the millions that do not have access to same. The FRP-EC’s Regulation Subcommittee members devised this project to provide enriching professional experiences to the over 4,000 FRPs throughout the state wherein they can use their skills volunteering in their local areas or remotely. FRPs are registered with the Bar, educated, and experienced. The FRP Outreach Volunteer Project has provided an opportunity for FRPs to give back to our communities and learn new, enriching skills to expand our profession.
Click here to sign up. For questions, contact project Co-Chairs Peter and Tharp.
