MLM Directory

Is it illegal for a law firm to charge clients for a volunteers time?

Due to the job market, I may volunteer at a law firm to keep my resume fresh and in hopes that I prove my worth to the firm and they hire me. If I do this, is it legal for the law firm to bill clients for my time while not paying me?

Public Comments

1. They can charge for whatever they want. I had an internship for a consulting firm where I made about $20/hour. The firm charged their clients $75/hour for the hours I worked though. Even if they didn't give all that money to me there were other fixed costs associated with the work I was doing (computer, desk, network connection, subscriptions to various websites and databases, etc)
2. It is not necessarily illegal, but it is unethical to most firms. If you are truly a volunteer, most firms will not bill for your time. Our firm does not bill for "clerical" work such as copying, faxing, etc. If you are a volunteer, I assume this is the nature of the work you'll be doing.