AVLF provides specialized trainings on dispossessory law and process that include a morning substantive training with experienced practitioners and current volunteers and a guided afternoon observation of a dispossessory calendar, complete with approved observation of the Court’s formal mediation program and a private meeting with a dispossessory court Judge. AVLF will provide such training on request when a sufficient number of attorneys at a law firm are interested in volunteering with this program, as has been done with our current sponsoring firms (Troutman Sanders, King & Spalding, Seyfarth Shaw, Baker Donelson). At least once a year we also conduct refresher trainings at the sponsoring law firms, which interested attorneys in the community may be invited to attend. 

AVLF further supports its eviction defense volunteers, providing for a referral package for every case that contains all related paperwork (the dispossessory filing, client’s Answer, leases, receipts, etc.), a detailed account of the facts and recommended legal strategy complete with caselaw and practice pointers, sample motions where applicable, and an expert contact at AVLF for further support. AVLF staff are further available for consultation throughout your preparation of the case and up until and through the hearing if desired. In addition, one-week continuances are granted as a matter of course to our volunteers.