Justice for the Community: Latina/o Bar Association of Washington Legal Clinic

COLUMN > PRO BONO ORGANIZATION OF THE MONTH

BY GLORIA DOMINGOS

In a modest building on Beacon Hill, a legal revolution quietly unfolds each month. The El Centro de la Raza legal clinic does not just provide free legal advice; it transforms lives one 30-minute consultation at a time. Since 2007, this partnership between El Centro de la Raza and the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington (LBAW) has served as a vital lifeline for community members facing complex legal challenges with limited resources and often, limited English proficiency. The King County Bar Association (KCBA) is another important partner providing malpractice insurance for volunteer attorneys.

This article will take you inside this remarkable program, sharing stories of both those who seek help and those who provide it. Through anonymized client narratives and insights from dedicated volunteers, we will explore how this clinic embodies the legal profession’s highest ideals of service and justice while addressing critical needs in our community.

The Heart of El Centro: A Community Hub with History

El Centro de la Raza, “The Center for People of All Races,” has been a cornerstone of Seattle’s social justice landscape since 1972. What began as a bold occupation of an abandoned school building by Latino activists has evolved into a respected multi-service organization offering over 40 programs that reach more than 20,000 individuals annually across the region. El Centro now has more than 150 staff members and hundreds of volunteers, as well as a $12 million operating budget. The organization’s many programs include both direct services and community advocacy, electoral education, and affordable housing initiatives.

The legal clinic represents one of El Centro’s most impactful services. Each month, volunteer attorneys and interpreters transform the historic building’s top floor into a bustling legal aid center. Between 6-8 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month (January through November), clients receive specialized consultations in immigration, personal injury, contracts, worker’s rights, family law, housing matters, and other general civil issues.

Voices from the Waiting Room: Client Stories

Jose: Finding a Path to Stay

In a life-changing consultation at our legal clinic, Jose (name changed) discovered hope for his future in America. Like many immigrants seeking assistance, Jose arrived anxious but determined to find a legal way to remain in the country and secure work authorization.

During my consultation with Jose as a volunteer attorney, I identified two potential forms of immigration relief that could provide not only temporary protection, but also a pathway to citizenship. The discovery brought visible relief to Jose, who had been living with uncertainty.

With proper guidance and support as a low-bono client of Domingos Law Firm, Jose successfully applied for legal status and eventually received his employment authorization document. This crucial document has opened doors to better job opportunities, improved his family’s financial stability, and given him peace of mind. This case was one of the first interactions I had at the clinic as an attorney volunteer. These success stories motivated me to continue providing vital legal services to our immigrant community and to step up as a board member of LBAW and co-director of clinics.

Carlos: Fighting Wage Theft

Carlos (name changed) had worked 60-hour weeks at a restaurant for three months without receiving proper overtime pay. When he questioned his employer, his hours were cut dramatically. Unsure of his rights and afraid of losing his job entirely, he came to El Centro.

The employment attorney who consulted with Carlos explained Washington’s strong worker-protection laws and helped him calculate the approximate unpaid wages amount owed to him. The attorney provided Carlos with information on who to contact after the consultation.

“I thought there was nothing I could do,” Carlos says. “The attorney showed me that the law was on my side, even though I’m not a citizen. That changed everything.”

Lucia: Securing Housing Stability

When Lucia (name changed) received an eviction notice after complaining about persistent mold in her apartment, she was pregnant and terrified of becoming homeless. A Spanish-speaking attorney at El Centro reviewed her rental agreement and correspondence with her landlord.

The attorney discovered the eviction constituted clear retaliation under Washington law. The attorney also connected her with a housing advocacy organization that ultimately negotiated repairs to the apartment and withdrawal of the eviction notice.

“Without El Centro, I would have just left, even though I had nowhere to go,” Lucia explains. “Instead, my family kept our home.”

These stories represent some of the many successful cases at our legal clinic. Names and specific details have been changed to protect client confidentiality.

Behind the Scenes: How the Clinic Works

The seamless operation of the clinic belies the complex coordination required to serve more than 60 clients in a single evening. As co-VP of clinics at LBAW and founder of Domingos Law Firm, I lead this coordination effort alongside Laura Ramirez, the other co-VP of clinics.

Being an immigrant myself, I understand firsthand the confusion and vulnerability that can come with navigating an unfamiliar legal system in a new country. This experience drives my commitment to creating a welcoming, efficient environment where clients receive not just legal advice, but also dignity and respect.

In addition, my ability to speak four languages—English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French—allows me to connect directly with many of our clients, breaking down the communication barriers that often compound legal challenges.

Unfortunately, the legal needs always exceed our capacity. Despite operating on a first-come, first-served basis and carefully matching clients with attorneys who possess relevant expertise, the clinic faces an overwhelming demand—particularly in immigration law.

Rather than turning people away empty-handed, the clinic has recently implemented an innovative solution: offering presentations on the most common immigration questions. This allows a large number of people to learn their rights and important information that can potentially change their lives. These informational sessions ensure that even those unable to secure individual appointments leave with valuable knowledge about their rights and potential pathways to legal status.

The initiative represents just one example of how the clinic continuously adapts its services to maximize impact with limited resources—ensuring that critical legal information reaches those who need it most, regardless of capacity constraints.

“We are transparent about the limitations,” Jeanett Quintanilla, El Centro de la Raza’s clinics coordinator, notes. “If we cannot help someone, we provide alternative resources and encourage them to return to a future clinic.”

The intake process begins at 4 p.m., with volunteers gathering basic information and writing down legal needs. By 6 p.m., attorneys select clients based on their areas of practice and the nature of each legal issue. Each attorney typically consults with three to four clients during the two-hour clinic.

The Volunteer Experience: Why Attorneys Return

For the attorneys who volunteer their time and expertise, the clinic offers both professional development and profound personal satisfaction.

“This is why I became a lawyer,” says Miguel González (name changed), a corporate attorney who is an assiduous volunteer. “In my day job, I rarely see the immediate impact of my work on someone’s life. Here, I can literally watch the relief wash over someone’s face when they realize they have options.”

The clinic has flourished under dedicated leadership, including the significant contributions of current and past directors and presidents of LBAW such as Andre Dayani, founder of Dayani Law Firm and past president of LBAW. During his tenure, Dayani helped expand the clinic’s reach and volunteer base, establishing a stronger foundation for the program’s continued growth.

Many volunteer attorneys cite the clinic as their most rewarding professional experience. LBAW’s recognition as a Qualified Legal Service Provider by the WSBA means attorneys can earn up to 24 CLE credits during their reporting period for participating—though most volunteers say this benefit is secondary to the fulfillment they receive.

The clinic also serves as valuable professional development for attorneys seeking to improve their client counseling skills, particularly in cross-cultural contexts.

“I have become a better lawyer through this work,” says Zaida Rivera, president of LBAW and director of the Immigrant Justice Clinic at Seattle University School of Law. As an immigrant herself, Rivera brings over 12 years of immigration law experience to her volunteer work. “Learning to explain complex legal concepts clearly and quickly in Spanish has made me more effective in all my client communications. Working with these communities reminds us why we became lawyers in the first place.”

Community Impact: Beyond Individual Cases

While the clinic’s most visible impact comes through individual consultations, its influence extends far beyond those direct services. For many clients, the clinic represents their first positive interaction with the legal system. The goal is to create a space where people feel their concerns are legitimate and their voices matter.

The clinic also serves as a crucial information hub. Even when immediate legal remedies are not available, clients leave with a greater understanding of their rights and the legal landscape affecting their lives. This knowledge spreads throughout communities that might otherwise remain disconnected from legal resources.

Looking Forward: Expanding Access to Justice

Despite its successes, the legal clinic faces ongoing challenges. Demand consistently exceeds capacity, and certain legal specialties—particularly immigration and housing—are perpetually in high demand.

We are always seeking more volunteer attorneys, especially those with expertise in immigration, landlord-tenant issues, and family law. My goal as co-VP of clinics is to offer pro bono legal assistance to a wider range of marginalized communities throughout Washington state.

Despite having limited administrative resources, El Centro and LBAW remain committed to maintaining and potentially expanding this vital service. Under Zaida Rivera’s leadership as LBAW president, along with the association’s board members, the organization has continued its commitment to access to justice initiatives and encouraging students from underrepresented communities to pursue legal education through law school pipeline programs—ensuring the next generation of diverse attorneys will continue this important work. 

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SIDEBAR

How Washington Attorneys Can Help

For Washington attorneys interested in volunteering, the process is straightforward:

• Complete the volunteer form available on the LBAW website.
• Specify areas of legal expertise.
• Indicate language capabilities (Spanish speakers especially needed, though interpreters are available).
• Select available dates.

For specific questions about volunteering, attorneys can email clinics@lbaw.org and clinics2@lbaw.org.

Non-attorney volunteers, including law students and legal staff, are also welcome to assist with interpretation and intake procedures.

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BY THE NUMBERS

Monthly impact:
60+ clients served during each evening clinic.

Service continuity: 
18 years of continuous service (operating since 2007).

Geographic reach:
10 clinics operating beyond Seattle. LBAW has expanded to Everett, Wenatchee, Mt. Vernon, Omak, Granger, Vancouver, Spokane, Pasco, Moses Lake, and Yakima Valley.

Professional development: 
24 CLE credits volunteer attorneys can earn during their reporting period. 

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