Question 1

What CLE programs are available for pro bono volunteers through PBOW?

Accepted Answer

PBOW offers access to a curated library of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs specifically relevant to the types of cases most commonly handled by pro bono attorneys in Idaho. These programs span a wide range of practice areas including family law, elder law, immigration, consumer debt, domestic violence protection orders, guardianship, and limited scope representation. Many of these programs were developed or selected in partnership with the Idaho State Bar's CLE committee. A unique feature of the PBOW resources program is the IVLP pledge model, which allows attorneys to access certain premium CLE recordings at no cost in exchange for committing to accept a case through the Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program. This arrangement benefits both attorneys—who receive valuable professional development at zero cost—and clients, who gain access to better-prepared volunteer counsel. The CLE library includes both live-recorded webinars and self-study materials, giving attorneys flexibility in how and when they access training. Programs range from one to three hours and address both substantive legal issues and practical skills relevant to serving low-income clients, including how to work effectively with clients who may have trauma histories, language barriers, or limited legal literacy. New CLE programs are added to the PBOW resources library on a rolling basis. Attorneys who become aware of relevant training opportunities can also suggest additions through the Contact Us page, helping IVLP and ILAS maintain a current and useful resource collection.

Question 2

How does the IVLP pledge program work for free CLE access?

Accepted Answer

The IVLP Pledge Program is designed around a simple exchange: attorneys who commit to accepting a pro bono case through the Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program receive access to select CLE recordings at no charge. The pledge is formalized through an IVLP Pledge Form that documents your commitment, and CLE access is granted upon submission of the completed form to IVLP staff. To access a pledged CLE recording, first identify the specific program you are interested in from the PBOW resources page or the IVLP CLE rental catalog. Contact Sue Pierson at IVLP to request a Pledge Form and discuss the case placement process. Once your pledge is on file, IVLP will provide you with access credentials or a rental link for the CLE content. The pledge system creates a virtuous cycle: attorneys gain professional development that makes them more effective pro bono volunteers, while committing to take cases that directly benefit low-income clients. IVLP tracks both the pledges and the resulting case placements, using this data to demonstrate the program's impact to funders and to identify CLE topics that generate the most volunteer engagement. If you accept a case through PBOW and complete your representation before accessing the CLE you pledged for, the pledge is still honored—IVLP tracks your case record and the pledge commitment remains valid for a reasonable period. Contact IVLP staff if you have questions about timing or if your case circumstances change after you have submitted a pledge form.

Question 3

What training resources exist for naturalization and immigration cases?

Accepted Answer

PBOW provides access to specialized training for attorneys who want to assist clients with naturalization and immigration matters—an area of significant need in Idaho's growing immigrant communities. The flagship training in this area is "Assisting Naturalization Applicants with Special Needs," an online streaming program accessible through the Idaho State Bar's CLE platform. This program covers the unique considerations involved in representing clients with cognitive or physical disabilities through the naturalization process. Another key resource is "The Attorney's Role in Preparing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization to U.S. Citizenship," a two-hour-plus training that provides detailed guidance on the most common naturalization form. This program is available through the IVLP pledge model, meaning attorneys who commit to a pro bono case can access it at no charge. The training covers both the legal requirements for naturalization and practical strategies for gathering and presenting the necessary documentation. For attorneys new to immigration law, these training programs are designed to be accessible even without prior immigration experience, providing the foundational knowledge needed to assist straightforward naturalization cases competently. More complex immigration matters—such as cases involving prior criminal history or previous immigration violations—may require additional consultation with an experienced immigration attorney. Idaho's immigration legal services landscape includes ILAS as a primary provider of immigration assistance, and PBOW volunteers working on immigration cases can often consult with ILAS immigration staff for technical guidance. This support structure makes it feasible for general practice attorneys to contribute meaningfully to immigration matters through the pro bono program.

Question 4

Are there resources for representing domestic violence survivors?

Accepted Answer

Yes, PBOW includes targeted resources for attorneys who want to assist survivors of domestic violence—a population with acute and urgent legal needs that frequently arise from safety crises. The primary training in this area is "Pro Bono Jam Sessions: Basics in Family Law & Representing Individuals Impacted by Domestic Violence," a comprehensive program covering both the legal and human dimensions of representing clients whose situations involve intimate partner violence. The Consumer & Economic Civil Legal Advocacy for Survivors guide, published by CSAJ, is another key resource available through the PBOW resources page. This guidebook takes a comprehensive, survivor-centered approach and is specifically designed for attorneys and legal advocates working with domestic violence clients on the civil legal issues that most commonly arise in their situations—including property recovery, debt relief, employment protection, and housing stability. An additional resource addresses civil protection orders specifically: "Pro Bono Jam Sessions: Representation in Civil Protection Orders" covers the procedural and substantive law governing protective orders in Idaho, including how to help clients document their experiences, present evidence, and navigate hearings effectively. This is a critical skill for anyone working with domestic violence survivors, as protection orders are often the first and most immediate legal intervention needed. Attorneys working with domestic violence clients through PBOW can also access support from ILAS staff who have specialized training in trauma-informed legal representation. Understanding the dynamics of domestic violence—including why clients may be ambivalent about pursuing legal remedies or may have contact with their abuser during the representation—is essential for effective advocacy, and these resources help attorneys develop that competency.

Question 5

What elder law training is available for pro bono volunteers?

Accepted Answer

Idaho's aging population represents one of the fastest-growing segments of civil legal need in the state, and PBOW offers dedicated training for attorneys who want to serve senior clients. "Pro Bono Jam Sessions: Basics in Elder Law" is a two-hour program that provides an accessible introduction to the legal issues most commonly affecting older Idahoans, including Medicare and Medicaid eligibility, Social Security benefits, age discrimination, housing rights, and advance healthcare planning. "Representing Persons Under Guardianship" is another key resource for attorneys interested in elder law. This program addresses the legal framework for guardianship and conservatorship in Idaho—both how these arrangements are established and how attorneys can advocate for the rights of individuals who are under guardianship. This is an increasingly important area as Idaho's courts handle growing numbers of guardianship petitions. Simple estate planning is also a frequent need among senior clients, and "Idaho Military Legal Alliance: Introduction to Simple Wills for Idaho Veterans" provides training specifically for attorneys who want to assist veteran clients with basic wills. While focused on veterans, the principles covered apply broadly to simple estate planning for low-income seniors, and attorneys who complete this training often find themselves well-equipped to help a wide range of senior clients with basic estate planning documents. Elder law cases through PBOW often involve clients who have cognitive limitations, health challenges, or limited ability to communicate their wishes clearly. The training resources address these practical challenges alongside the substantive legal content, helping attorneys develop the client relationship skills needed to represent elderly clients effectively and with appropriate sensitivity.

Question 6

Where can I find resources for youth expungement cases?

Accepted Answer

PBOW's resources section includes dedicated materials for attorneys who want to assist young people with expungement of juvenile records—an area where a relatively modest amount of attorney time can have transformative, lifelong benefits for clients. The Idaho Legal Aid Services website hosts a series of pages specifically about juvenile expungement in Idaho, including "Learn about Juvenile Expungement in Idaho" and "Juvenile Expungement Forms," both of which are linked from the PBOW resources page. The "Youth Expungement CLE" is a streaming training that walks attorneys through the Idaho-specific process for expunging juvenile records, including eligibility requirements, the petition process, and what happens at the expungement hearing. This program is particularly valuable for attorneys who have not previously handled expungement matters, providing a clear roadmap for the process from intake through final order. Youth expungement cases are among the highest-impact pro bono matters available through PBOW in terms of client benefit relative to attorney time. Juvenile records that are not expunged can create barriers to employment, housing, education, and military service that persist for decades, making expungement assistance one of the most direct ways that attorney pro bono service can alter the trajectory of a young person's life. Idaho's eligibility rules for juvenile expungement are detailed, and the training resources help attorneys quickly assess which clients qualify. ILAS staff who work regularly on expungement matters are also available to consult with pro bono attorneys on eligibility questions or procedural issues that arise during a case. PBOW volunteers should not hesitate to reach out to ILAS for support when navigating complex eligibility determinations.

Resources for Pro Bono Attorneys

Assisting Naturalization Applicants with Special Needs

Youth Expungement Cases

Consumer & Economic Civil Legal Advocacy for Survivors

Effectively Representing the Veteran Client: Legal and Cultural Basics Webinar

Advancing Justice Through Legal Clinics

Idaho Military Legal Alliance: Introduction to Simple Wills for Idaho Veterans

Pro Bono Jam Sessions: Basics in Elder Law

Pro Bono Jam Sessions: Basics in Family Law & Representing Individuals Impacted by Domestic Violence

Representing Persons Under Guardianship

The Attorney’s Role in Preparing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization to U.S. Citizenship

Pro Bono Jam Sessions: Representation in Civil Protection Orders

Pro Bono Jam Sessions: Basics on Consumer Issues and Idaho Fair Debt Collections Laws

Pro Bono Jam Sessions: Meeting the Growing Need for Legal Services Through Limited Scope Representation

Frequently Asked Questions About Resources