Become an ANDVSA Pro Bono Attorney
Use Your Legal Skills to Support Survivors Across Alaska
Ways to Volunteer
ANDVSA Legal Program provides free legal assistance to low-income survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in divorce, child custody, protective order, and other civil proceedings. Volunteer attorneys can represent a survivor in a civil case, co-counsel a case, assist clients representing themselves pro se, mentor a new volunteer, staff ANDVSA’s Information & Referral Hotline, and more. Volunteers can learn more about ANDVSA resources below.
Online Volunteer Application
The Alaska Network on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (ANDVSA) Legal Program provides free civil legal services for low-income survivors of domestic and sexual violence. ANDVSA needs volunteer attorneys to represent survivors in civil cases, staff ANDVSA’s Information & Referral Hotline, mentor another pro bono attorneys and assist ANDVSA with special projects.
For more information about ANDVSA’s volunteer opportunities and resources, please visit www.andvsa.org or contact ANDVSA senior staff attorney Katy Soden at [email protected] or (907) 796-5104. We appreciate your interest!
Fill out the application form below or scan the QR code here.
ANDVSA Legal Program Volunteer FAQ
What type of volunteer opportunities do you have?
ANDVSA utilizes volunteers in many ways. Our greatest need is for attorneys to represent survivors either fully or unbundled in divorce, custody, and civil protection order cases. We need mentors to work with new attorneys who are taking on cases. The Legal Program hosts an Information & Referral Hotline twice per month on Tuesdays that provides brief legal information to victims. This phone line can be call-forwarded anywhere in the country and only takes 2-3 hours of volunteer time per shift.
How can I volunteer?
Fill out this volunteer form or call (907) 796-510 for more information.
I have no experience in this area of law. Is it worth it for me to volunteer?
Absolutely. Our program provides the resources and training that you need to successfully represent a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. It’s a great way to learn a new area of the law and make a big impact in someone’s life.
What resources do you provide for volunteers?
ANDVSA provides on-demand attorney and paralegal support and supervision, a comprehensive volunteer family law manual, sample pleadings, training webinars, pro bono mentors, as well as case cost coverage and malpractice insurance.
Do you provide training?
Yes, ANDVSA hosts an annual CLE in Anchorage about the fundamentals of family law and domestic violence and sexual assault. This free training covers the basics of gender-based violence, trauma-informed client approaches, and an introduction to family law. ANDVSA also regularly hosts training webinars and has a library of training webinars on our volunteer resource website.
Do you provide malpractice insurance?
Yes, ANDVSA provides malpractice insurance to our volunteers and contract attorneys.
Does ANDVSA cover case costs?
Yes, ANDVSA can cover case costs in your pro bono case.
Do I need to be licensed in Alaska to volunteer?
No, you do not! Under Alaska Bar Rule 43.6, attorneys licensed in other states may practice pro bono in Alaska under the supervision of a qualified legal services provider such as ANDVSA.
Volunteer Spotlight — December 2025
Jake Gerrish
Jake just obtained a long-term protective order for his first ANDVSA client!
Jake heard about ANDVSA through his colleagues at Stoel Rives LLP, where he is an associate. He thought that as a newer attorney it would be a rewarding way to volunteer and gain litigation experience. Jake had not done a protective order case before, but did have exposure to family law cases involving domestic violence through clerking for Judge Christina Rankin of the Alaska Superior Court and Justices Daniel E. Winfree and Jude Pate of the Alaska Supreme Court.
To attorneys considering volunteering with ANDVSA, Jake says that “even if you don’t think you’re going to know all the answers right away, you are a resource for your client that they’re not going to get anywhere else.” Volunteer attorneys “shouldn’t feel like they have to know everything to take a case.” Jake also used resources from ANDVSA such as the Volunteer Family Law Manual, which had “all of the crimes of domestic violence that we had to prove – they were just listed out in the handbook.” The ANDVSA resources made it much easier to navigate a less familiar area of law.
Jake’s client wasn’t a U.S. citizen, so her case had some added complexity, but Jake believes that obtaining the long-term protective order “made her realize that she did have agency over her situation.” What’s more, the protective order will be a crucial piece to “getting her to the ultimate divorce outcome she needs.”
Jake is a lifelong Alaskan, and he attended University of Alaska Fairbanks where he received a BA in political science and economics. He then attended UC Berkeley School of Law, graduating in 2022, but he always knew that he wanted to return to Alaska for its great community and outdoor access.
Professionally, Jake is looking forward to developing his litigation practice. In his free time, Jake enjoys pruning his planted aquarium, exploring local trails with his new puppy, Magic, and playing soccer.
Thank you for all your hard work, Jake!
Attorney Volunteer Application
Fill out the application below to apply to be an attorney volunteer.