Legal Lens: Attorney Shadowing Program with Inland Counties Legal Services

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. 

This clinic is only available for in-person shadowing opportunities at the locations and times below.  This opportunity is NOT for anyone seeking a paid position or school credit.  Shadowing slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please note that clinic durations are approximate and may run shorter or longer depending on case volume. 

Dress Code: Business casual or business professional. Avoid shorts, tank tops, or open-toed shoes. Recommended attire: slacks or dress pants with a nice blouse or button-up shirt and dress shoes.

Please sign up for no more than 5 total slots for this clinic.  Links to sign up are below:

• Barstow Courthouse: 1^st Thursday of each month, 7:30am to 12pm or 1:30pm to 4pm – sign up to shadow TLAP in Barstow
• Fontana Courthouse: 1^st Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each month, 7:30am to 12pm – sign up to shadow TLAP in Fontana
• Menifee Courthouse: 1^st Wednesday and Friday of each month, 7:30am to 12pm – sign up to shadow TLAP in Menifee
• Corona Courthouse: 1^st Tuesday and Thursday of each month, 12:30pm to 2pm – sign up to shadow TLAP in Corona

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. 

This clinic has both in-person and virtual opportunities as specified below.  This opportunity is NOT for anyone seeking a paid position or school credit.  Shadowing slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please note that clinic durations are approximate and may run shorter or longer depending on case volume. 

Dress Code: Business Casual Attire

Please sign up for no more than 3 total slots for this clinic.  Links to sign up are below:

• In person at Moreno Valley Courthouse: 1^st and 3^rd Mondays of each month, 1-4pm – sign up to shadow CRC in Moreno Valley
• In person at the San Bernardino Courthouse: 2^nd and 4^th Wednesdays of each month, 1-4pm – sign up to shadow CRC in San Bernardino
• Virtual clinic: every Monday, 1-4pm – sign up to shadow CRC virtually

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. 

This clinic has both in-person and virtual opportunities as specified below.  Shadowing slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  This opportunity is NOT for anyone seeking a paid position or school credit.  Please note that clinic durations are approximate and may run shorter or longer depending on case volume. 

Dress Code: Business Casual Attire

Please sign up for no more than 2 total slots for this clinic.  Links to sign up are below:

• In person in Riverside: 2^nd Fridays of odd-numbered months, 8:45am-12pm – sign up to shadow the Elder Law Clinic in Riverside
• In person in Montclair: 2^nd Thursdays of odd-numbered months, 8:45am-12:30pm – sign up to shadow the Elder Law Clinic in Montclair
• In person in Menifee: 2^nd Wednesdays of odd-numbered months, 12:45-4pm – sign up to shadow the Elder Law Clinic in Menifee
• In person in Fontana: schedule varies – sign up to shadow the Elder Law Clinic in Fontana

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. 

This clinic is only available for in-person shadowing opportunities at the locations and times below.  Each library session is approximately 4 hours. This opportunity is NOT for anyone seeking a paid position or school credit.  Shadowing slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please note that clinic durations are approximate and may run shorter or longer depending on case volume. 

Dress Code: Business Casual Attire

Please sign up for no more than 3 total slots for this clinic.  Links to sign up are below:

• Robidoux Library in Jurupa Valley: 1^st Tuesday of each month, 1-5pm – sign up to shadow at Robidoux
• Sun City Library in Menifee: 1^st Wednesday of each month, 1-5pm – sign up to shadow at Sun City
• Feldheym Central Library in San Bernardino: 2^nd Tuesday of each month, 1-5pm – sign up to shadow at Feldheym
• Perris Branch Library: 2^nd Wednesday of each month, 1-5pm – sign up to shadow at Perris