Student-initiated Legal Services Projects (SLPS)

SLPS

For over fifty years, Centro Legal de la Raza has partnered with the Berkeley Law student community to provide free legal services to low-income, immigrant, and Latino communities in the East Bay.

  • Centro Legal partners with multiple Berkeley Law Student Initiated Legal Services Projects (SLPS).

  • SLPS are student-led and organized pro bono projects designed to close the justice gap and allow students to pursue their passion while gaining hands on experience and practical skills.

  • Interested students can visit the Berkeley Law SLPS’s website and learn more about How to Apply.

Centro Legal Workers’ Rights and Tenants’ Rights Clinic

The clinics take place from 5:30pm to 9pm at Centro Legal de La Raza in Oakland almost every Thursday.

  • Students assist tenants and workers under attorney supervision on housing and employment issues in one-on-one meetings at Centro Legal de La Raza.

  • Students conduct intakes where they screen for legal issues, identify and propose solutions for the client, and draft legal documents as necessary.

  • Students may have the opportunity to write demand letters, complaints, Rent Board petitions, help with policy initiatives, and attend hearings.

  • Students will have the opportunity to hone their interviewing, client service, and legal research and analysis skills.

  • Students may also help plan educational events and panels about housing and employment issues and get involved in local community actions.

Berkeley Immigration Group

  • Under the supervision of Centro Legal attorneys, students passionate about protecting immigrants’ rights, while also bringing together students interested in pursuing a career in immigration law.

  • As members of BIG, students have diverse volunteer options, including preparing bond packets for detained immigrants, conducting know your rights trainings at immigration court, immigration court observations, and fundraising for BIG’s immigration bond fund.

  • Students who speak Spanish will have opportunities to contribute their language skills to BIG’s work, but there are also ample opportunities for those who do not.

  • BIG also organizes and sponsors events to expose Berkeley Law students to important and innovative immigration work, and to provide them with immigration law networking opportunities.

  • Members have the option of either dedicating themselves exclusively to their BIG volunteer work, or to committing fewer pro bono hours to BIG while still being a part of our organization.