Get Involved
At Arkansas Access to Justice, we believe that law students are the future of a more just legal system. Whether you’re looking to volunteer, build skills, or make an impact on your community, there are many ways to get involved.
Volunteer at Free Legal Answer Clinics
Law students can assist at our Free Legal Answer clinics, where you’ll support Arkansas attorneys providing pro bono advice to individuals with civil legal questions. You’ll gain real-world exposure to access-to-justice issues while learning from experienced practitioners.
Looking for a collaborative way to give back and connect with legal professionals? Join us for one of our Free Legal Answers Clinics, offered virtually and in-person throughout the year.
Virtual Clinics
Once every two weeks, law students and attorneys team up over Zoom to answer real legal questions submitted to the Free Legal Answers platform. Each session lasts just one hour, perfect for a meaningful, pro bono lunch break.
- When: Every other Friday at Noon – 1PM
- Where: Online via Zoom
- What to Expect:
- Attorneys are paired with one or more law students
- You’ll work together to answer FLA questions in real time
- Attorneys mentor students as they provide guidance to clients
- All work is limited scope and covered by ABA malpractice insurance
In-Person Clinics
At least three times per year, we host in-person FLA clinics in partnership with law schools, law firms, and bar associations across Arkansas. These sessions are designed to foster collaboration, mentorship, and meaningful pro bono service, all within a supportive environment.
- When: Held periodically throughout the year (1-hour sessions)
- Where: Law schools or community venues
- What to Expect:
- Attorneys and law students work together to thoughtfully respond to FLA questions submitted by Arkansans in need
- Attorneys provide guidance and mentorship as students gain real-world experience
Lunch is provided, followed by an optional networking event for students and attorneys to connect and build community
Follow our Facebook Page and get notified about upcoming in-person clinics.
Help Us Improve Access to Legal Help
Looking for a flexible, remote-friendly way to contribute to access to justice?
Students can volunteer to support some of our most widely used public-facing tools: Arkansas’s pro se legal forms and the ARLawHelp.org website. These opportunities allow you to improve how low-income Arkansans interact with the legal system. Most work can be done remotely, on your own time, or independently. If you are interested in helping with pro se forms or ARLawHelp.org, just indicate your preference in the internship or volunteer application form.
Pro Se Forms Review & Improvement
Arkansas Access to Justice is constantly working to ensure that our pro se (self-help) court forms are:
- Legally accurate
- Written in plain, understandable language
- User-friendly and accessible for individuals without legal training
As a student volunteer, you might:
- Review existing forms for clarity and accessibility
- Suggest edits to confusing language or outdated instructions
- Assist with translating legalese into plain language
- Help test new interactive versions of forms
Ideal for students interested in legal writing, editing, or plain language communication.
ARLawHelp.org Content Support
ARLawHelp.org is a statewide legal resource hub for Arkansans seeking guidance on civil legal issues like housing, family law, and debt collection. It is a great fit for students interested in public education, legal tech, or digital accessibility.
Student volunteers can:
- Help keep content current by checking for outdated links or language
- Suggest topics based on common access-to-justice barriers
- Assist with drafting FAQs or summaries of legal topics
- Contribute ideas for improving usability and design (especially for mobile users)
By volunteering in this area, you’ll gain experience in:
- Legal communication for non-lawyers
- Plain language drafting and editing
- Working with legal aid tools and technologies
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration with attorneys and developers
Internship Opportunities
The Arkansas Access to Justice Commission offers several opportunities for law students and undergraduates interested in the law or social justice to contribute to closing the justice gap in Arkansas. Internships are available both during the summer and academic semesters, providing meaningful experiences that align with students’ passions and our mission.
We don’t believe in busy work. Law students who work with the Access to Justice Commission will help solve real problems affecting Arkansans across the state.
Summer Internships
Each year, we offer one to two summer internships for law students or undergraduates. Summer interns contribute to various projects based on their interests and the Commission’s current needs. Tasks may include:
- Assisting with data entry.
- Developing educational materials.
- Conducting research.
Details:
- Scheduling: Flexible options for half or full summer internships.
- Compensation: Summer internships are paid.
- Application Deadline: May 1st.
If you’re interested, please complete the application form below.
Fall and Spring Internships
Additional Fall and Spring Internships
We may offer additional internships during the fall or spring semesters for either law students or undergraduates based on applicant interest and the Commission’s needs. These internships are paid.
Application Deadlines:
- Fall Semester: August 1st.
- Spring Semester: December 1st.
Apply for an Internship
Application Form
- Name: [Field]
- E-Mail: [Field]
- Term: [Spring / Summer 1 / Summer 2 / Full Summer / Fall]
- Undergraduate Institution: [Field]
- Law School (If Applicable): [Field]
- Law School Year (If Applicable):
- Interest in Access to Justice Issues: [Field] (Please briefly explain your interest in access to justice issues.)
We look forward to welcoming students passionate about making a difference in the lives of Arkansans. Apply today to join our mission!
Fellowships
The Access to Justice Commission and Foundation are eligible public service employers for the purposes of many externship and fellowship programs facilitated through the William H. Bowen School of Law and the University of Arkansas School of Law. If your public interest program requires you to secure your own public service experience, please contact our Executive Director, Abby Brenneman, at abby@arkansasjustice.org. Be prepared to provide a resume and 3 references.
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