Ariel Perez began volunteering with HVL’s Dispute Resolution clinic, where attorneys attend JP court to offer mediation between landlords and tenants who cannot afford legal representation, last year.
Read about Ariel’s impactful experience:
- What has your experience been like with the HVL ADR clinics?
It’s been a genuinely rewarding experience, as volunteers assist with the eviction docket by working with pro se landlords and tenants to help them find common ground and, ideally, reach a written agreement that works for both sides.
Many of the pro se parties who appear on those dockets are nervous or uncertain about the process. As volunteers, we are there to help ease that tension and facilitate a productive conversation about potential resolutions. Even when a settlement isn’t reached, walking someone through the process can make a meaningful difference.
From a professional development standpoint, you experience cases from the perspective of a neutral, focused on helping both parties communicate rather than advocating for one side.
- How does volunteering with the ADR clinic fit into your schedule?
One of the things I appreciate most about the program is its structure. The in-person sessions are Tuesday mornings at the 1-2 JP court, so it’s easy to plan around. There’s also a remote option on the last Thursday of the month through the 2-2 JP court and volunteers simply log into Zoom, which makes participation even more accessible.
Because the commitment is limited to specific sessions rather than ongoing representation, it’s manageable alongside a busy practice. The combination of weekly and monthly options provides flexibility to stay engaged without overextending yourself.
- Why should your attorney peers volunteer for the ADR clinic?
I’d encourage them to try it because the impact is immediate. You’re not waiting months to see how a matter resolves, but rather helping someone in real time. Many parties on the dockets are navigating the legal system entirely on their own, and even a brief conversation can make a significant difference.
It’s also valuable experience. You gain exposure to mediation, interact directly with pro se parties, and develop a clearer understanding of how disputes unfold in the JP courts. For attorneys looking to strengthen their ADR skills while contributing meaningfully, it’s an efficient way to do both.
- What makes this ADR volunteer opportunity stand out from other pro bono work?
For me, what stands out is the role itself: unlike typical pro bono work where volunteers appear as advocates, here you serve as a neutral, helping both parties work through the issues and, ideally, reach an agreement. That shift in perspective is valuable.
The experience is also illuminating because you see firsthand how quickly minor disputes can escalate when pro se parties lack access to guidance. Being part of the resolution process before things reach that point is precisely why I was drawn to this volunteer opportunity.
- Why is ADR important for clients who cannot afford legal representation?
ADR can be critical in these situations because eviction cases move quickly, and many pro se parties arrive in court without fully understanding the process or their options. ADR provides an opportunity to slow down, discuss the situation, and potentially reach a resolution before a judgment is entered.
Even when a settlement isn’t reached, the goal is that pro se parties leave with a clearer understanding of the process and a sense that they were heard. That matters. The court system can be intimidating, and having someone provide guidance, even briefly, can change the entire experience.
- What support do you receive from HVL as a volunteer?
HVL provides excellent support for volunteers. Before you begin, you are given access to various helpful resources. During the clinic sessions, experienced staff attorneys are available to answer questions and provide guidance as needed.
You don’t need to be an expert in landlord tenant law or an experienced mediator to contribute effectively because HVL equips you with what you need to make an impact from your first session.
You can sign up to volunteer for the Dispute Resolution clinic aquí.
