Public Attorney Ethical Considerations
Public attorneys have other considerations when seeking volunteer opportunities.
Please check with your agency's rules and regulations regarding volunteering.
Free Legal Answers
AZ Free Legal Answers, a partnership program of the Arizona Bar Foundation, State Bar of Arizona, and American Bar Association, is an online virtual legal clinic. Volunteer attorneys are needed to provide answers to eligible user submitted questions online.
Want to set up a monthly meeting with your colleagues to answer questions? Contact us for more information
K-12 Education Volunteer Opportunities
- Constitution Week
- High School Mock Mediation
- Mock Trial State Competition
- Project Citizen State Showcase
- We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution State Competition
Constitution Week
This event helps K-12 educators celebrate Constitution Day with their students by connecting them with legal professionals.
Volunteers Needed
Legal professionals to serve as a guest speaker about an aspect of the Constitution.
Time Commitment
Presentations are provided during a typical school day. Times vary by teacher/school. Volunteers can choose a classroom that best suits their schedule.
When and Where
Constitution Week takes place around the week of or around September 17th in K-12 schools statewide with presentations conducted virtually or in-person.
Resources for Volunteers
• Volunteers can get gavel pencils and pocket constitutions to give as gifts to the students receiving the presentation(s)
• Teaching tools available online to use during the presentation (virtual escape rooms, online games, and downloadable lesson plans)
• Foundation staff will provide assistance in creating a presentation if requested
High School Mock Mediation
This event allows youth in teams of three to learn about the mediation process. Team members serve as mediators, client advocates, and clients.
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers will serve as judges to score each role in the mock mediation. Knowledge of mediations is preferred to serve as a volunteer judge.
Time Commitment
Volunteers have the following options: morning shift, afternoon shift, or all day.
When and Where
High School Mock Mediation takes place in-person at a venue within Maricopa County.
Resources for Volunteers
• Prior to the event, volunteers are given an overview of the program and judging guidelines
• A judge’s orientation is provided prior to each shift on the day of the event
• Volunteers new to the event are placed on a judging panel with at least one experienced volunteer
• Scoresheets with a rubric are provided to explain the scoring criteria
Mock Trial State Competition
This event brings teams of high school students together to compete for the title of State Champions. Teams comprised of 9 students serve as attorneys and witnesses. The state champions will advance further to represent Arizona at the national competition.
Volunteers Needed
Attorneys and judges that will serve as judges for the competition. Volunteers are on a panel of 3-4 judges.
Time Commitment
Volunteers have the following options: morning shift, afternoon shift, or all day.
When and Where
The competition takes place at a courthouse in downtown Phoenix on the 3rd or 4th Saturday in March. Event dates and locations are determined at least 6 months prior to the event and volunteers are provided the information before volunteering.
Resources for Volunteers
• Prior to the event, volunteers are given an overview of the program and judging guidelines
• A judge’s orientation is provided on the day of the event
• Volunteers new to the event are placed on a judging panel with at least one experienced volunteer
• Scoresheets with a rubric are provided to explain the scoring criteria
Project Citizen State Showcase
This event allows youth in grades 5-12 to present their public policy based solution to their chosen community problem before a panel of judges.
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers will serve as judges to listen to the youth, score their presentation, and provide feedback.
Time Commitment
Volunteers are asked to be present from, approximately, 8am to 2pm on the day of the showcase.
When and Where
The showcase takes place within the first two weeks of May, in Maricopa County. Event dates and locations are determined at least 6 months prior to the event and volunteers are provided the information before volunteering.
Resources for Volunteers
• Prior to the event, volunteers are given an overview of the program and judging guidelines
• A judge’s orientation is provided on the day of the event
• Volunteers new to the event are placed on a judging panel with at least one experienced volunteer
• Scoresheets with a rubric are provided to explain the scoring criteria
We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution State Competition
This event allows high school students to participate in a simulated congressional hearing to demonstrate their knowledge of our government and the rights and responsibilities of those that live in the United States. The state champions will advance further to represent Arizona at the national competition.
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers can serve in 2 capacities: 1) As a judge on a 4-panel team, or 2) As a timer.
Time Commitment
Volunteers have the following options: morning shift, afternoon shift, or all day.
When and Where
The competition takes place in Maricopa County the second Friday in January. Event dates and locations are determined at least 6 months prior to the event and volunteers are provided the information before volunteering.
Resources for Volunteers
• Prior to the event, volunteers are given an overview of the program and judging guidelines
• A judge’s orientation is provided prior to each shift on the day of the event
• Volunteers new to the event are placed on a judging panel with at least one experienced volunteer
• Scoresheets with a rubric are provided to explain the scoring criteria
• Judges are provided with follow-up questions to ask the students, or they can use their own