ICLS’s Attorney Shadowing Program provides opportunities for students and others interested in pursuing a legal career to gain valuable insight into what happens during various types of legal clinics. Through ICLS’s Attorney Shadowing Program, students and other shadowers can sign up to observe attorneys for half a day at their choice of available clinics or Lawyers in the Library sessions. Shadowers will have the opportunity to sit in on client meetings, speak to lawyers practicing different areas of public interest law, and get a glimpse into what it means to work as a legal aid attorney. Some clinics may also offer the opportunity to observe court hearings.
Types of Legal Clinics:
- Housing Law – Tenant-Landlord Assistance Program
- The Tenant-Landlord Assistance Program (TLAP) at Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS) works closely with the Riverside and San Bernardino County Superior Courts to provide legal support for tenants facing eviction. To qualify for services, clients must meet ICLS eligibility criteria. Our attorneys negotiate on behalf of eligible clients to resolve disputes and, when necessary, directly represent them in litigation. This program offers invaluable exposure to eviction defense, housing law, and legal aid services. Shadowers involved in TLAP will have the opportunity to speak to a housing attorney about their work, observe the client intake process, where a TLAP paralegal announces legal assistance availability to tenants in need, sit in on client meetings, and observe negotiations or trials. Repeat shadowers may also be given the opportunity to gain practical experience by assisting with client intake or helping with case preparation.
- Consumer Rights Clinic
- The Consumer Rights Clinic (CRC) at Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS) provides free legal help with debt collection lawsuits in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. To qualify for services, clients must meet ICLS eligibility requirements, including low income and assets. The attorneys at the CRC help prepare answers to lawsuits to collect consumer debt, help demand records from creditors, and assist with trying to negotiate a settlement or dismissal of the case. Shadowers involved in the CRC will have the opportunity to speak to a consumer law attorney about their work, observe client intakes and meetings, and observe debt settlement negotiations.
- Elder Law Clinic
- The Elder Law Clinic at Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS) provides free legal help to senior citizens in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Seniors age 60 and over qualify for services through this project, but ICLS is committed to serving the most vulnerable and disadvantaged clients, including those who have limited income and resources. The attorneys at the Elder Law Clinic assist with issues such as elder abuse and fraud, restraining orders, simple estate planning, consumer protection and more. Shadowers involved in the Elder Law Clinic will have the opportunity to speak to an Elder Law attorney about their work and observe client intakes and meetings on a variety of legal issues.
- Lawyer in the Library Program
- Lawyer in the Library (LITL) is a national program that provides free legal aid and services to eligible library patrons. Through participation in the LITL program, Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS) provides free legal consultations to income eligible patrons in 5 key areas of law including consumer law, expungements, housing, elder law, and public benefits. The attorneys at LITL assist with legal issues such as responding to eviction or debt collection lawsuits, screening for expungement eligibility, advising on elder abuse issues, simple estate planning, and county benefits overpayments. Shadowers will observe attorneys meet with applicants on a walk-in basis to complete intakes and offer legal assistance to self-represented litigants. This is a great opportunity to gain exposure to community lawyering, client interviewing and intake, and multiple substantive legal issues.
We invite students who are curious about the law and passionate about making a difference to take the next step by signing up for our attorney shadowing program. Whether you’re exploring a future in law or simply want to better understand how legal services support our communities, we encourage you to apply and see where this experience can take you.