Volunteer Opportunities:
Law Related Education Programs

The Rhode Island Bar Association’s Law Related Education (LRE) Programs offer attorneys meaningful ways to engage with the public and promote a greater understanding of the law. By volunteering, you can help educate Rhode Island students and community members while reinforcing the role of the legal profession in civic life.

Requests for most LRE programs are received on a rolling basis, and staff are available to support volunteers with preparation, including helping to develop or adapt lesson materials.

If you’re interested in giving back through public education and outreach, we invite you to get involved! Click the link below to join an LRE Program and indicate which initiative you'd like to participate in: Lawyers in the Classroom, Law Day, Speakers Bureau, Storytime with Lawyers, or Shadow a Lawyer. You can also update your preferences on legal topics you're comfortable speaking about, so we can match you with the right opportunities.

Join an LRE Program

Lawyers in the Classroom

This program connects attorney volunteers with teachers in Rhode Island middle and high schools, including public, private, and independent schools. Attorneys visit classrooms to discuss law-related topics, answer student questions, and help connect classroom learning to real-world legal practice.

How it Works:

• Bar staff receive requests from teachers and match them with attorney volunteers based on subject matter, grade level, and location.
• Attorneys contact the teacher in advance to plan the visit and align on classroom goals.
• A typical session lasts about one hour and includes time for presentation and Q&A.
• Bar staff can provide lesson materials, handouts, or discussion guides upon request.
• Most visits take place at schools near the attorney’s home or office for convenience.

Topics Include:

• Business, Civil, and Criminal Law
• Constitutional Law
• Family, Juvenile, and Elder Law
• Employment, Labor, and Municipal Law
• Environmental, Health Care, and Medical Law
• Real Estate Law
• Title VII as it relates to schools

Program Impact:
Lawyers in the Classroom fosters meaningful connections between students and the legal community. By volunteering, attorneys help students understand how the law shapes everyday life and encourage civic participation through informed discussion and critical thinking.

Speakers Bureau

The Speakers Bureau connects attorney volunteers with adult audiences, typically nonprofit and community groups, interested in learning about specific legal topics. These short, educational presentations help demystify the law and promote civic understanding.

How it Works:

• Community groups reach out with presentation requests, which are reviewed and coordinated by Bar staff.
• Volunteers are matched with groups based on subject matter expertise and location.
• Attorneys connect with the requesting organization to discuss format, goals, and logistics.
• Presentations typically last about one hour, followed by time for audience questions.
• Bar staff can assist with presentation materials and scheduling.

Common Topics:

• Civil Rights
• Harassment in the Workplace
• Employment Law (Title VII)
• Federal and State Law
• Constitutional, Elder, and Family Law
• Real Estate, Medical, and Health Care Law

Program Impact:
Through the Speakers Bureau, attorneys share their expertise to help community members better understand the law and their rights. These presentations strengthen public trust in the legal system and demonstrate how lawyers contribute to civic education and service.

Annual Rhode Island Law Day Program

Law Day is a signature civic education initiative coordinated each year by the Rhode Island Bar Association in partnership with the Rhode Island Judiciary, Department of Education, Roger Williams University School of Law, and Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association. Held annually in early May, the program pairs volunteer attorneys and judges to co-present in classrooms across the state, offering students an opportunity to explore a timely legal theme through interactive discussion.

How it Works:

• Each year, a national theme is selected to guide classroom conversations and materials.
• Attorneys and judges are matched as co-presenters and connected with a teacher to plan the visit.
• Presentations typically last about one hour and include time for Q&A and class discussion.
• Volunteers receive access to lesson plans, talking points, and background materials in advance.
• Bar staff handle scheduling and coordination, matching teams with schools near their home or office whenever possible.
• On average, more than 80 classroom presentations take place statewide each year.

Law Day also includes a statewide essay contest for 10th–12th grade students, with scholarships awarded to top entries.

Program Impact:
Law Day highlights the essential role of law in society and reinforces the value of civic education. By presenting as a team, attorneys and judges bring the courtroom to the classroom—helping students see how the law operates in practice and inspiring them to think critically about justice, democracy, and civic responsibility.

Storytime with Lawyers

This program introduces young students to concepts of fairness, justice, and rules through age-appropriate stories and conversation. Attorney volunteers visit classrooms to read a selected book and talk with students about what lawyers do and how laws help people work together and solve problems.

How it Works:

• The program is designed for students in Kindergarten through Grade 3.
• Attorney volunteers select a book from the recommended list provided by the Bar Association, or they may suggest another title for approval.
• The Bar Association keeps a selection of books on hand that volunteers can borrow if needed.
• Storytime sessions are conducted in person and typically last about 30–45 minutes.
• The Bar Association works with educators to coordinate visits and provides guidance and resources to help volunteers prepare.
• While Storytime with Lawyers is primarily offered during National Reading Week in early March, the Bar Association also accommodates requests throughout the year on a case-by-case basis.

Program Impact:
Storytime with Lawyers helps young students see lawyers as friendly and approachable community members. Through stories and discussion, children begin to explore ideas about fairness, responsibility, and the role of rules in everyday life.

Shadow a Lawyer

This program offers high school students the opportunity to spend one day observing a Rhode Island attorney in their professional setting. Students gain a firsthand look at how lawyers apply the law in practice and serve their clients and communities.

How it Works:

• Attorney volunteers share their availability and the type of law they practice (e.g., civil, criminal, government, or nonprofit).
• High school students submit a request through the Bar Association’s website explaining why they would like to participate and may include a brief résumé or statement of interest and a teacher recommendation.
• The Bar Association matches students with attorneys based on interest and availability.
• Once matched, the Bar Association will help facilitate initial communication between the student and attorney to secure a date for the visit.

Program Impact:
This one-day experience provides students with a realistic glimpse into the legal profession and helps them better understand the important role attorneys play in upholding justice and serving the public.

LRE Curriculum Development

We welcome contributions from Bar members interested in helping shape future classroom programming. If you have professional experiences, case examples, or legal insight to share, your input could help bring the law to life for students and community members alike.

Questions?
For more information, please contact:
Allison Baker 
Programs Coordinator
📞 401-421-5740
📧 abaker@ribar.com