Courthouse Navigator

About the Courthouse Navigator AmeriCorps Program: 

The Milwaukee Justice Center’s Courthouse Navigator program, served by AmeriCorps members, is crucial in supporting the Milwaukee County community. AmeriCorps Navigators will expand the accessibility of the courthouse and increase the MJC’s ability to serve the needs of Milwaukee community members – ensuring equal access to justice. AmeriCorps members will assist people in navigating the complexities of their legal proceedings through accompanying people through their specific filing process, staffing the MJC’s legal help line, answering questions at courthouse information booths, and involvement in the MJC forms and legal clinics.

MJC/AmeriCorps Position Minimum Qualifications: 

• 18 years or older, U.S. Citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States with a high school diploma/GED;
• Commitment to community service & ability to provide continuous service for the entire term of service
• Attendance at all Milwaukee Justice Center trainings
• Ability to work with a diverse team and diverse clientele
• Must pass the National Service Criminal History Check (state and federal criminal history, sex offender registry)
• Must have reliable transportation to the Milwaukee County Courthouse for service and training
• Must have access to a personal email and check email regularly.
• Previous legal experience not required.

Position Responsibilities: 

• Members will serve in one or more of the service areas during a shift, depending on demand from the client / the public:
• Work one-on-one to help self-represented litigants (SRLs) complete forms for family court or adult guardianship processes.
• Accompany SRLs through the multi-step, multi-building filing process helping to increase their confidence in undertaking the next steps of their legal case.
• Respond to general legal information questions through the civil legal helpline ○ Provide directional information at information booths in the Courthouse complex ○ Assist with clinic intake information, including helping potential clients to complete their individual intake forms.
• Manage social media handles, conduct client surveys, and respond to follow-up emails from self-represented litigants.
• Help track and report program-related data

About the Milwaukee Justice Center 

The Milwaukee Justice Center (“MJC”) is a public-private collaboration between the Milwaukee County Clerk of Courts, the Milwaukee Bar Association (“MBA”), and Marquette Law School offering self-help civil legal aid to individuals who cannot afford an attorney and who are representing themselves in Milwaukee County cases. With a staff of ten and an annual volunteer corps of over 300, the Milwaukee Justice Center assists around 10,000 people in its services each year. These services include Family Forms Assistance, Adult Guardianship forms clinic, assistance with electronic deed transfers, and a civil legal aid helpline. The MJC also hosts the Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinics at the MJC, the Mobile Legal Clinic in the Milwaukee Community, and the Expungement/Pardon clinic.