There is validity too much of what I have read. Overbearing, pushy, cultish, etc. Granted.

However... for those of you out there who have a backbone, its not that hard to go in and find out what initiatives are on the table for them, and completely disregard those initiatives that you have no interest in or tasks you have no interest in doing. You just have to be firm.

I was there in San Francisco when they opened up their new benefit office in Double Rock Baptist Church, and it was great. The head of the Public Defenders office was a keynote speaker.

Having been a part of their "Know Your Law" sessions, and having seen that they were able to bring in quality legal talent to discuss issues that effect the impoverished communities that they often work in, I was impressed with their dedication.

They also held many "Legal Advice" sessions where people without access to legal resources could speak with an attorney who could provide remedial guidance and refer their cases if necessary, to someone who might take it on pro-bono.

We also worked with attorneys in Vega v Mallory when they filed a lawsuit against the Office of Migrant Services for doubling the rents on migrant workers who were already living and working under very poor conditions, often without even potable water to use or drink.

We went to many farmlabor camps, and interviewed residents and their families, and I was doing much of the translating for the group. All on my own accord. No one twisted my arm. If I could not or simply chose not to go to a certain event or trip, it was as easy as me saying I cant make it.

Watching them take their case all the way to Sacramento, I also sat in a room with members of CCLP and Senator Joe Dunn, who opened up the matter in a subcommitte hearing, voicing his support for the wronged farmworkers. Eventually, the case ended in a settlement victory for nearly 12 thousand migrant farmworkers who had no other means of representation. The lead plaintiffs were heroes in my book.

Read below link:
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?ItemID=5702

Anyway, if you are looking for a way to give back, with out dealing with a bunch of beaurocy, or are an aspiring law student looking to put some time in to help build your case for law school, all in all I would say consider volunteering for the CCLP, and you will find that if you are inquisitive you will find that there is always something interesting that you can do to help, and that if you are firm, you can dictate the time and extent of your participation.

As long as you stay in the drivers seat with regard to what you will and wont do, and how much time you will or wont spend doing it, you can find some satisfying experiences volunteering for CCLP.

I am graduating from law school this year, and am grateful for my experiences with CCLP, and plan on helping them further upon receipt of my bar card.

Thanks for listening.