Innovative Programs to Help People of Modest Means Obtain Legal Help
The ABA works to identify and stimulate innovative programs designed to make legal services more readily available to people of average means. This area lists programs we believe are creative initiatives in the delivery of legal services to people who do not qualify for subsidized legal services and yet lack the income to retain traditional legal representation.
Listings include bar-sponsored programs, lawyer referral services, military-sponsored programs, non-profit initiatives, court-based projects and individual-sometimes entrepreneurial-endeavors. This list is not necessarily all-inclusive-this list is a selection of some of the best programs that have come to the attention of the ABA. These are independent efforts. The ABA does not operate, sponsor or warrant the quality of these programs, but provides you with guidance in locating a program as a public service.
ARIZONA
Maricopa County Superior Court's "Self-Service Center"
The Self-Service Center is being designed to assist self-represented litigants with handling matters in the Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County. This program is being developed in collaboration with many other agencies and individuals, including the State Bar of Arizona, private practitioners of law and community dispute resolution. The program features: distribution of easy-reader, court-approved forms, instructions, and samples, including the development of a computer-based interactive form completion prompt system, through which the litigant will complete all required information for a particular packet of court forms, which will be completed and printed for the litigant; location on-site of court-related services for litigants, such as the IV-D agency and Lawyer Referral Service; creation of lists of community-based service providers who can help litigants with various aspects of court proceedings; education of litigants about the full array of other community services available for resolution of problems related to court proceedings, such as counselling and financial assistance.
Contact:
Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County201 W. Jefferson, 4th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003
www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/SuperiorCourt/Self-ServiceCenter/
CALIFORNIA
Legal Grind
In 1996, Jeffrey Hughes established The Legal Grind neighborhood coffeehouse in Santa Monica, California, offering easy access to "coffee and counsel" for a $20 fee. The innovative business model offers clients from all income levels reasonably priced unbundled legal services in family law, entertainment law, criminal law, tenant/landlord, and workman's compensation, while it generates referrals for participating lawyers. Legal Grind provides people with a relaxed atmosphere as they discuss their legal issues with lawyers. The information gives the café customers the opportunity to proceed on an informed basis. Some retain the lawyers they have met and others go forward on a pro se basis, perhaps with additional information from books in the Legal Grind bookstore. Mr. Hughes has also established the Legal Grind Foundation dedicated to helping educate young people about legal rights and responsibilities.
Contact:
Legal Grind2640 Lincoln Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310/452-8160
www.legalgrind.com
Eviction Defense Network
The Eviction Defense Network was formed in 2003 to address the needs of tenants facing eviction in Los Angeles County who are unable to access existing services. Over 70,000 unlawful detainers are filed in Los Angeles County each year, while many low and moderate income tenants live in uninhabitable conditions or confront landlords seeking to circumvent local rent stabilization ordinances. The Network serves clients, including low and moderate-income families, who are denied services elsewhere because of staffing limitations or because they are not eligible for existing services due to funding restrictions.
Contact:
Eviction Defense Network1930 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 208
Los Angeles, CA 90057
213/385-8112
www.evictiondefensenetwork.org
San Fernando Valley Bar Association
The San Fernando Valley Bar Association (SFVBA) began making lawyer referrals in 1948. Since the 1970s the LRIS has operated a Senior Program where panel attorneys conduct consultations at several senior centers and one courthouse. In 1985, the Association and Neighborhood Leal Services (NLS) jointly created the Family Law Center to provide legal representation to women in divorce, domestic violence, child and spousal support, and child custody cases. In 2000, the SFVBA and NLS established and helped staff a Self-Help Legal Access Center at a San Fernando Valley courthouse. There are now four centers with more planned. In 2004, the LRIS began its operations of the Limited Scope Family Law Panel. In 2007, working with the State Bar Judicial Counsel, the LRIS has begun expanding the Limited Scope Representation program to bankruptcy, landlord/tenant matters and general civil litigation.
Contact:
San Fernando Valley Bar Association32360 Califa St.
Suite 113
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
818/227-0490
www.sfvba.org/
The Online Self-Help Center
Judicial Council of California
In 2001, the Judicial Council of California established a comprehensive court-sponsored online self-help center. The site contains over 900 pages designed to help individuals navigate the court system, learn more about state law, work smarter with their lawyer, represent themselves in some legal matters, and find low-cost legal assistance. The Online Center helps achieve the Judicial Council’s goal of ensuring meaningful access for all Californians, and is part of a broader bench-bar effort to increase the availability of legal assistance for low and moderate-income litigants. Those who go to the Online Center have access to extensive information about court procedures, including ADR, and links to LRIS, free and low-cost legal assistance. Materials are available for family and juvenile law, domestic violence, elder law and landlord/tenant matters. The Judicial Council actively encourages other courts that are interested in establishing similar models of information and legal services.
Contact:
California Administrative Office of the Courts455 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
415/865-4200
www.courtinfo.ca.gov/
Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law
A co-sponsored project of the LA County Bar Association, Black Women Lawyers and Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles. The decade-old Center provides family law assistance and education to low-income persons throughout Los Angeles County. The center developed and refined a unique delivery model using volunteer lawyers and paralegals. With close supervision by a small legal staff, volunteers are able to provide in-depth family law assistance in a variety of ways: instructing groups of clients with similar legal problems, intensive individual sessions so the client can leave with a strategy for representing themselves, or referral to a pro bono attorney. The assistance includes teaching persons with very little formal education and training to successfully represent themselves in court. The Center offers family law training for volunteers, which is approved for Continuing Legal Education credits. The Center has also published several items: a Volunteer Manual and training video, "Assisting the Limited-Income Client in Family Law Matters", a supplement to the manual, "California Child Support Supplement"; and, a video, "Going to Court on Your Own for a Divorce."
Contact:
Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law3250 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 710
Los Angeles, CA 90010
213/388-7515
www.hbcfl.org
The Coordinated Court-Related
Alternative Dispute Resolution Service
The Coordinated Court-Related ADR Service (ADR Service) is the first California State Bar certified Lawyer Referral Service for alternative dispute resolution providers. The ADR Service provides referrals to screened and qualified lawyers who serve on our ADR Panel as mediators, arbitrators and special masters. This program is sponsored and coordinated with the Superior and Municipal Courts of Santa Clara County. For an administrative fee of $30 parties receive the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three neutrals, which are selected by the type of dispute and the type of neutral requested; a one-page information sheet on the providers' background, fees, and dispute resolution style; and a one-page checklist of questions to assist in selecting a provider. Lawyers have 10 days, upon receipt of the providers' names, to confer with opposing counsel and select a provider together. If the provider chosen is able to accept the case, a meeting will be arranged. The first half hour of the provider's time is free. Each provider sets their own fees, generally ranging from $150 to $250 per hour. The Modest Means program is for those that may not qualify for pro bono services, but cannot afford the market rate. Some providers have agreed to charge a set fee below the market rate to those who qualify under the income guidelines. Currently, the Modest Means fee is $100 per hours, which can be split between the parties. The administrative fee is also reduced to $25.
Contact:
Santa Clara County Bar31 North Second Street, 4th Floor
San Jose, CA 95113
408/971-6822
www.sccba.com/legalconsumer/
Divorce Helpline
Divorce Helpline (DHL), operated by Sherman, Williams & Lober, is a hybrid law-mediation practice. Seven lawyers and eight staff serve 3,500 to 4,000 people per year - over 16,000 to date. Service is provided by highly experienced lawyer/mediators either at one of two offices or by a high-tech phone system, mail, and fax. The heart of DHL's model is a highly developed customer service program. To achieve a service that is efficient, effective, affordable, and satisfying to all parties, DHL redefined the attorney-client contract and extended the way mediation is practiced. DHL works exclusively outside the adversarial system. It concentrated on settlement and completion, offering information, advice, practical solutions, mediation, document and support services-all at fixed fees. Callers remain pro se; cases that can't settle are referred out. DHL has developed telephone mediation to a high degree, enabling successful resolution between parties in different cities.
Contact:
Divorce HelpLine615 Mission Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
800/359-7004
www.divorcehelp.com/
The Family & Children’s Law Center
The Family & Children’s Law Center serves persons who are unable to afford a private lawyer and need assistance with family law matters including domestic violence, child support orders, custody and divorce. The Center helps clients fill out forms and proceed pro se, provides representation in selected cases, offers forums and classes for the community and has initiated an innovative lay advocacy program for victims of domestic violence. The Center has initiated a task force of legal service providers in the community to identify and meet unmet legal needs of low and moderate income persons. The Center currently serves over 250 clients per month with seven staff members and 125 active volunteers. Staff have developed guides for clients to prepare their own paperwork and inform the community of changes in the law through radio, television and press in both English and Spanish.
Contact:
The Family & Children’s Law Center30 North San Pedro Rd #245
San Rafael, CA 94903
415/492-9230
www.faclc.org
Los Angeles Superior Court's Domestic Violence Clinics
California law provides a means for the victims of domestic violence to seek protection through the issuance of a court restraining order. However, most victims of domestic violence require legal assistance to pursue this remedy, but cannot financially afford the cost. The Los Angeles Superior Court's Domestic Violence Clinic was initially piloted in its Southeast District in 1989 and has since been implemented in eight other Districts to provide these victims with legal assistance free of charge. The program utilizes student interns and pro-bono lawyers, referred by local bar associations, to assist victims in preparation for court hearings and completion of court orders following the hearings. By providing a sympathetic, though objective setting, victims of domestic violence face a less stressful experience upon their arrival at the Courthouse. In fiscal year 1993-94, it was estimated that the program assisted approximately 28,000 victims and saved the Court an estimated $559,000 in staff time due to the efficiencies in the preparation of legal documents and reduction in court time.
Contact:
Superior Court of Los Angeles County110 N. Grand Ave, Room 428G
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.lasuperiorcourt.org/
Mobile Self-Help Legal Access Center
Superior Court of California, County of Ventura
The Ventura County Superior Court has developed a unique approach to providing access to justice in all areas of the law. A Mobile Self-Help Legal Access Center was designed to reach those in outlying communities in the county who are unable to utilize the self-help centers located at the courthouse. Contained in a custom-built 35 foot motor home, the Center is modeled after public library "book mobiles." It is equipped with computers, video stations and shelves stocked with books, pamphlets and self-help instruction manual and packets. Lawyers from the self-help centers at the courthouse join volunteer attorneys from the local bar to staff the mobile center on visits to communities within the county. The center focuses its services on low and moderate income individuals, particularly the elderly, disabled, victims of domestic violence, those with language barriers and those who lack transportation. Individuals who visit the center are frequently encouraged to seek private counsel whenever possible. Referrals are made to the Lawyer Referral Service of the Ventura Bar Association and to low cost or subsidized legal services. The program also maintains a list of lawyers willing to provide legal services on a task-by-task or unbundled basis.
Contact:
Ventura County Government Center800 South Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93009
805/654-3962
www.ventura.courts.ca.gov/mobile_shlac.htm
The Orange County Bar Association's
Modest Means Program
The Orange County Bar Association's (OCBA) Modest Means Committee was formed in October of 1993 to develop a program which both increases the access to legal service by the middle-income public and provides adequate compensation to the participating lawyers. The program, under the umbrella of the OCBA's Lawyer Referral Service, was implemented on June 13, 1994. The Modest Means Program is designed to meet the need for access to the justice system by those of low and fixed income where access to legal aid and pro bono assistance is not possible, and household resources are insufficient to pay prevailing hourly rates. The program will meet this need by providing those residents to a panel of lawyers who will agree to charge $80 an hour for legal services. Through an OCBA Help-line lawyer participants have access to guidance from experienced lawyers in many areas.
Contact:
Orange County Bar AssociationPO Box 6130
Newport Beach, CA 92658
949/440-6747
www.ocbar.org
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Landlord Tenant Resource Center
DC Bar Pro Bono Program
Recognizing that 99 percent of tenants sued in the Landlord Tenant Branch of the DC Superior Court are not represented by counsel, and that nearly 14 percent of landlords are also without representation, the DC Bar Pro Bono Program, in cooperation with the Landlord Tenant Court, established the Landlord Tenant Resource Center. Regardless of the facts of their cases, unrepresented tenants face a high risk of eviction, which inexperienced landlords risk having their cases dismissed, often due to procedural missteps. In response to this need, the Center is available to unrepresented landlords and tenants in need of legal information, resources, and, if appropriate, referrals for representation from local legal service providers. Volunteer lawyers from nine participating law firms consult with interested parties each weekday morning.
Contact:
Landlord Tenant Resource CenterCourt Building B, Room 115
510 4th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20002
202/508-1710
www.dcbar.org/for_the_public/programs_and_services/landlord_tenant.cfm
DC Bar Task Force on Family Law
Representation Pro-Se-Plus Divorce Clinic
The Pro-Se-Plus Divorce Clinic was launched in January 1994 as a joint Bar-Court effort. The Clinic is a two-session workshop held at least monthly at D.C. Superior Court. At each workshop, a team of four to five volunteers assists between 15 and 25 pro se litigants in filing for divorce. Over 240 litigants have attended the Clinic to date. Litigants register for the Clinic at the courthouse with the assistance of court personnel. At the first session of the Clinic, litigants are walked through D.C.'s filing requirements, the issues that can make a divorce contested, and the stages of the documents required for an uncontested divorce. At the second session, litigants learn about more complex issues including service of process, alternate service, and default proceedings, and participate in a mock hearing. Litigants receive assistance in completing form pleadings that have been developed specifically for unrepresented individuals. Participants may call a special hot-line staffed by volunteers if they have questions after attending the Clinic. Those with unresolved issues are referred to the court's mediation program. In addition to assistance individuals in filing for divorce pro se,the Clinic also provides an important educational service.
Contact:
District of Columbia Bar1250 H Street, NW, Sixth Floor
Washington DC 20005-3908
202/737-4700
www.dcbar.org/for_the_public/programs_and_services/divorce.cfm
GEORGIA
Essentia Legal
Essentia Legal offers full legal representation and document services in a broad array of disciplines. Founded in July 2008 by three former corporate attorneys with litigation and transactional experience, Essentia Legal’s mission is to make top-notch legal services available at affordable rate to moderate income clients. With offices located at a shopping mall storefront in South Fulton, Essentia Legal offers free consultations and payment flexibility to walk-in customers. It also supports an extensive community outreach program, partnering with churches, neighborhood associations, and local business to deliver free legal clinics where bankruptcy, estate planning, intellectual property, business formation and other pertinent issues are discussed. Essentia Legal also leverages new technology to provide document preparation services to online customers and adds value by reviewing the documents for correctness and substantive compliance.
Contact:
Essentia Legal3645 Marketplace Blvd.
Suite 170
Atlanta, GA 30344
414/629-1649
www.essentialegal.com
IDAHO
Idaho Court Assistance-Office Project
Idaho Supreme Court
The Court Assistance Office (CAO) integrates technology with personnel services to provide a one-stop clearinghouse to access legal services and other resources for those involved in family law cases and other civil court matters. There are currently court assistance offices in twenty-two courthouses around Idaho. Some of the court assistance office resources, such as an attorney roster, court forms and instructions, can be accessed directly from the Project's web site at www.courtselfhelp.idaho.gov. For other services and materials, people may call or visit the nearest Court Assistance Office. Project planning was lead by the Idaho Supreme Court's Committee to Increase Access to the Court, beginning in 1998. Service began July 1, 1999. This is an Idaho Supreme Court project with support from the State Justice Institute, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, participating counties, and the University of Idaho College of Law.
Contact:
Idaho Supreme CourtClerk of the Courts
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720
208/334-2210
www.courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/
ILLINOIS
Chicago Legal Clinic
The Chicago Legal Clinic began in 1981 to address the legal needs of workers who had lost their jobs due to reductions of steel mill operations in South Chicago. The clinic was created by a local parish priest and lawyer, Most Rev. Thomas J. Paprocki, and a newly admitted lawyer, Edward Grossman. The clinic began in a small storefront office. Today, it has four offices, 32 staff and a volunteer panel of 225 lawyers. The clinic’s goal is to make legal services accessible to those who are impacted by poverty, abuse and discrimination. It currently provides 12 programs, including two advice desks at the Cook County Circuit Court, a domestic violence program, an immigration program, and advocacy for consumers in debt, seniors and the disabled. The clinic is supported by client fees, provided on a sliding-fee scale, and donations from a variety of sources. The clinic provides direct representation, coordinates pro bono services and provides a series of community educational seminars.
Contact:
Chicago Legal Clinics, Inc.2938 E. 91st St.
Chicago, IL 60617
773/731-1762
www.clclaw.org/default.html
The Post- Decree Divorce Self Help Project
of the Coordinated Advice and Referral Program
for Legal Services (CARPLS)
CARPLS was created in response to the findings of the 1989 Illinois Legal Needs Study that called for a streamlined delivery mechanism to handle limited representation cases. The result of the combined efforts of the Illinois Bar Foundation, the Chicago Bar Foundation and the Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois is a hotline that is the technological equivalent of storefront legal services, giving clients immediate access to a lawyer. The Post-Decree Divorce Self-Help Desk was established to address the large number of people in need of those services. The Desk in located in the courthouse, where staff attorneys help people represent themselves by filling out forms and drafting motions to enforce or modify existing judgments, usually involving child support and custody. CARPLS serves individuals with incomes up to 350 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
Contact:
CARPLS17 N. State Street #1850
Chicago, IL 60602
312/738-9494
www.carpls.org/
IOWA
Beckman Law Offices
Free Wills Over the Web
For the past two years, the Burlington, Iowa, law firm of Beckman Law Offices, P.L.C., has offered free simple wills through their Internet web site. The firm created a document assembly program that enables web site viewers to make their wills by answering a series of questions. The technology then “creates” the will. The firm advertises the availability of the free wills in local newspapers and in the Yellow Pages. In order to make certain the wills reflect the intent of their makers, and to assure they are validly executed, those seeking free wills are asked to come to the firm’s office, after the firm screens for conflicts of interest. The lawyer provides a brief consultation and supervises the execution of the wills. Clients from 18 to 85 years old have used the service.
Contact:
Beckman Law Offices314 North Fourth Street
Burlington, IA 52601
319/754-8404
www.iowalaw.com/
LOUISIANA
Louisiana Will Forms
LouisianaWillForms.com is a virtual add on to an existing estate planning practice, and is designed to serve middle class individuals with wills, powers of attorney, living wills and other necessary documents. By employing technology, Myrna E. Arroyo of LouisianaWillForms.com provides automated forms to clients with the added safeguard of attorney review. The result is that middle class families have access to an attorney-drafted estate plan for an affordable price ($100-$300). Because the process occurs via the internet, LouisianaWillForms.com can serve clients who would otherwise be unable to take time off work to visit a law firm to handle important legal work.
Contact:
Myrna E. Arroyo, LLC922 Rue Crozat
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
225/298-0011 Ext. 701
www.LouisianaWillForms.com
MAINE
Maine Legal Services
The Maine Legal Services websites, developed by Hugh Calkins and Kathleen Caldwell, receive over a million visitors a year. These websites, including www.ptla.org, www.HelpMeLaw.org, www.mejp.org, www.vlp.org, and www.lse.org, provide accessible legal information for the benefit of people of low and moderate incomes. For example, www.HelpMELaw.org supplies easily-readable information regarding court procedure for pro se litigants and offers interactive legal templates, simplifying the process of filing of pleadings. Litigants answer questions phrased in plain language and their answers are pasted into the appropriate section of the pleading. After the pleading is completed, the pro se litigant will then be given directions on how to file it. These sites utilize open source technologies, such as the HelpMELaw search engine. Maine Legal Services encourages other legal service providers to employ these technologies across the country.
Contact:
Pine Tree Legal Assistance88 Federal Street
P.O. Box 547
Portland, ME 04112
207/774-8211
www.ptla.org
MARYLAND
Virtual Courthouse
The Virtual Courthouse (VCH) is an internet-based service that enables parties to submit disputes in digital form for resolution by a neutral party of its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services. These ADR services include arbitration, mediation, neutral case evaluation or a settlement conference by members of a panel of neutrals. VCH provides an independent forum by enabling parties to select qualified neutrals, submit digitized materials, schedule an ADR event and track other activities throughout the effort to resolve the matter. Critical to the design of this service is its neutrality; VCH impartially facilitates neutral selection by providing structured communication among parties via a controlled and secure message service. VCH streamlines every step in the process and minimizes the need and cost of unnecessary face-to-face meetings, mailing and copying. VCH enables a party to obtain a fair, impartial and expeditious dispute resolution for as little as $200, expanding access to dispute resolution to those who would face higher costs by using the courts or other dispute resolution mechanisms.
Contact:
VirtualCourthouse.com2527 Lyon Drive
Annapolis, MD 21403
410/263-6163
www.VirtualCourthouse.com
The Maryland Legal Assistance Network
The Peoples Law Library
The Peoples Law Library is one of the first legal information and self-help advocacy websites in the country. It includes 1,100 page of information and has nearly 90,000 unique visitors each year. PLL is the centerpiece of a multi-pronged effort to provide the working poor and those with moderate incomes with legal information, forms, and connections to self-help and lawyer resources. The home page is designed so that people can access information from easy-to-identify topics. A navigation bar then links visitors to additional resources, such as lawyer and mediation referral opportunities and court resources. PLL is the first web site to fully comply with the ABA Best Practice Guidelines for Legal Information Web Site Providers. In addition, the site includes diagnostic tools to assist pro se litigants to determine the circumstances where the assistance of a lawyer is critical to the outcome of their matter.
Contact:
The Maryland Legal Assistance Network500 East Lexington Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
443/451-2891
www.peoples-law.org
MDFamilyLawyer.com
MDFamilyLawyer.com was developed in 2001 by Richard Granat, a Maryland lawyer, in an effort to use technology to deliver unbundled legal services in family law matters to the moderate means population of Maryland. The site serves as a virtual law firm, and offers substantial cost savings to clients who pay flat fees for legal advice and attorney prepared documents.
Contact:
Granat Legal Services, P.C.9148 Reisterstown Road, Suite 43
Owings Mills, MD 21117
301/760-7961
www.mdfamilylawyer.com
The Pro Se Project
Montgomery County Maryland
The Pro Se Project of Montgomery County, Maryland, is a free walk-in clinic that provides information and advice about family law matters, including divorce, custody, support and visitation. Using family law forms developed by the state, the Project helps clients determine which forms are appropriate, how to complete the forms and how to navigate the process. Although the Project helps people of all income levels, those with incomes under the Project’s guidelines receive limited legal advice, while those with incomes over the guidelines receive only general legal information. The Project refers those who need a lawyer to local pro bono programs and the lawyer referral services. The Project is staffed with two lawyers and a bilingual paralegal, located in the county court, with hours from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
Contact:
Montgomery County Circuit CourtFamily Law Self Help Center
50 Maryland Ave
Rockville, MD 20850
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mc/judicial/circuit/family/prose/prose.html
The Women's Law Center's Family Law Hotline
The Family Law Hotline is an innovative project staffed by pro bono lawyers who provide free legal information to moderate income people experiencing family law problems. The Hotline was designed by the Women's Law Center's (WLC) Executive Director and its Young Lawyers Section. The WLC is a non-profit organization which educates the public about its legal rights. The Hotline began on a citywide basis in Baltimore in 1990. The Baltimore Bar Association contributed by assisting in preparing a manual for volunteers and helping to recruit lawyers to staff the Hotline. The WLC began a second hotline in 1991 which allows callers to reach it from all over the state on an "800" number. The Maryland State Bar Association assisted with recruitment of staff. WLC continues to operate both the City and State Hotlines one day a week, serving over 3,000 callers annually. To deal with the critical lack of services in family law volunteer lawyers receive calls in their own offices through a unique call forwarding system.
Contact:
The Women’s Law Center of Maryland, Inc.305 West Chesapeake Avenue
Suite 201
Towson, MD 21204
410/321-8761
www.wlcmd.org
MASSACHUSETTS
Heisler, Feldman, McCormick & Garrow, PC
Heisler, Feldman, McCormick & Garrow, PC represents only low and moderate income tenants, consumers, employees and victims of discrimination in litigation. Prior to opening the office in 1996, moderate income clients did not have access to legal representation, despite having legitimate claims, because they did not quality for free assistance and could not afford to pay retainers and hourly rates charged by most private attorneys. Heisler, Feldman, McCormick & Garrow created a fee-shifting provision in federal and state civil rights and tenant laws. According to the model, no client makes an advance payment. Instead, the firm takes the financial risk of the litigation and receives payment through settlement or a fee petition. The firm is unique in that it is often the only firm available to serve the legal needs of clients in the practice area.
Contact:
Heisler, Feldman, McCormick & Garrow, PC1145 Main Street
Suite 508
Springfield, MA 01130
413/788-7988
Willparties.com
Willparties.com gives families a convenient method of obtaining and executing estate documents. The process is simple. A host organizes a party of friends, family and colleagues. Prior to the party, individualized estate plans are developed by a lawyer and reviewed by the clients. This is done by telephone, email or at the lawyer’s office. At the party, clients meet with a lawyer privately to review, make final edits and execute their documents, including wills, health care proxy and general durable powers of attorney. Party guests witness one another’s documents. The services are priced according to a schedule of the number of party guests/clients. The more who attend, the less the cost to each family. Willparties.com was created by James Haroutunian, a solo practitioner in Billerica, Massachusetts.
Contact:
Willparties.com630 Boston Road
Billerica, MA 01821
978/671-0711
www.willparties.com
MICHIGAN
Settle Today
Settle Today is an internet-based dispute resolution technology that provides a secure, low cost solution to resolving civil disputes. Settle Today uses a non-confrontational and easily understood web interface to make conflict resolution more affordable and accessible. The patent-pending process follows simple steps of case submission, rebuttal, final statements, review and resolution. The goal of Settle Today is to render a legally binding decision within 24 hours of final statements. Participants can easily follow the process online. Settle Today helps divert lengthy civil disputes from the court systems. It brings professional dispute resolution as an Internet connection, eliminating travel and expenses and delay. Settle Today is available to anyone, anywhere and at anytime.
Contact:
Settle TodayPO Box 342
Macatawa, MI 49434
866/920-0185
www.settletoday.com
Legal Assistance Center
The Legal Assistance Center is a project of the Grand Rapids Bar Association that provides assistance to those of moderate and low income who cannot otherwise obtain legal assistance. Many of those served are attempting to address their legal matters on a pro se basis. The Center’s staff responds to each participant’s specific needs, assists them with necessary paperwork and makes appropriate referrals. By collaborating with various community agencies, the Center offers “one stop” assistance, coordinating responses to the unique issues of participants and addressing the root of their legal matters. Bilingual staff and specialized tools for those with disabilities help the Center extend its capabilities.
Contact:
The Legal Assistance CenterKent County Courthouse
180 Ottawa Ave, N.W.
Suite 5100
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
www.legalassistancecenter.org/
MINNESOTA
Hennepin County Self-Help Center
The Hennepin County Self Help Center (SHC) provides procedural assistance, education and referrals to self-represented litigants, without regard to income, in Minnesota’s most populous county. SHC coordinates with volunteer and legal services lawyers to provide brief advice. The program aims to improve access to the courts, reduce dismissals and continuances, prepare litigants for hearing, improve the quality of information available to judges, achieve fair outcomes and educate the public about the courts and the role of lawyers. The county now has two centers; in the main courthouse and in the Family Justice Center, and provides services in a suburban courthouse one day each week. Staff includes seven lawyers, one volunteer coordinator, and four senior court clerks in addition to volunteers.
Contact:
Self-Help CenterHennepin County Govt. Center
300 South Street
Public Service Level
Minneapolis, MN 55487
612/348-9399
www.mncourts.gov/district/4/?page=397
NEVADA
Ask a Lawyer” Program
Eighth Judicial District, Court of Nevada
The "Ask A Lawyer" program is a court/community effort to address the needs of moderate to low-income self-representing litigants in the Family Court. When pro se litigants have access to attorneys, they are more informed regarding their rights and obligations and have realistic expectations for the outcome of their case. Attorneys from legal service providers, the private sector, and court-certified law students provide free 15-minute consultations one afternoon a week. "Ask A Lawyer" assists over 100 litigants each month. Over 98% of litigants responding to a survey found the attorney’s services to be helpful. The program has also received strong support from judges, who have issued a proclamation, promoted the program during attorney luncheons, and personally thanked participating attorneys.
Contact:
Eighth Judicial District Court200 Lewis Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89101
www.clarkcountycourts.us/index.html
NEW YORK
The Community Advocacy Center, Inc.
Angelo DiGangi wrote the blueprints for the Preventive Legal Services for the Elderly Program in New York City. In 1988, Mr. DiGangi founded the Community Advocacy Center Inc. (CAC). CAC was established to make society aware of the socio-economic and legal problems which affect senior citizens. The Community Advocacy Center has as its specific goal to work with foundations, universities and community leaders in order to stimulate the development of Preventive Law for the Elderly Programs throughout the United States. Preventive Law is based on the concept that the best legal service is most often accomplished through educating a target population. To this end, Mr. DiGangi established the Legal Awareness Clinic. Staff lawyers, interns and volunteers go into senior citizen centers to lecture on various topics of law which affect the senior population. After such lectures, there is an opportunity provided for private consultation, with any senior citizen who feels she/he may be in need of assistance.
Contact:
The Community Advocacy Center657 Fairview Ave.
Ridgewood, New York 11385
718/760-8558
www.cacnyc.org
NORTH CAROLINA
Kimbro Legal Services
Stephanie Kimbro launched a completely web-based virtual law office (VLO) in January 2006. Through the VLO, Kimbro has been able to provide legal service online to moderate income individuals. The technology minimizes the law practice overhead that a traditional law office requires, and therefore allows Kimbro to offer unbundled legal services to clients at a reduced cost. The technology streamlines the process so that more clients may be assisted online with more efficiency, allowing Kimbro to cost-effectively keep her legal fees lower than a traditional billable hour. The convenience of a VLO open 24/7 allows more clients to receive quality legal services without having to take time off of work or retain child care to meet with an attorney in person.
Contact:
Kimbro Legal Services135 S. 29th Street
Wilmington, NC 280403
910/762-3698
www.kimbrolaw.com
North Carolina’s 26th Judicial District
Self-Service Center
The Judicial District’s Self-Service Center provides a continuum of services to assist pro se litigants in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Foremost, the Center provides forms and filing instructions on family law and other civil law topics. The Center also includes videos on family law topics to further explain the filing process, clinics that explain how to complete the forms, a website and a list of local lawyers providing unbundled legal services to assist pro se litigants meet their legal needs. The Self-Service Center, which opened in 1999 and is the only one of its kind in North Carolina, also provides referrals to appropriate community resources and agencies, frequently asked questions and contact numbers. It provides workspace, telephones, typewriters and legal reference materials, free to those pursuing their legal concerns at the courthouse.
Contact:
North Carolina 26th Judicial District Self-Serve Center832 E. Fourth Street
Suite 3350
Charlotte, NC 28202
704/686-0210
www.aoc.state.nc.us/www/public/courts/meck/disk01/index.html
OHIO
Columbus Bar Association's Lawyers for Justice Program
The Lawyers for Justice (LFJ) program involves local lawyers in the direct representation of indigent residents of central Ohio. Since LFJ began accepting cases on July 1, 1993, it has joined 296 lawyers-from small, medium and large firms, sole practices, corporate legal departments and governmental entities-in its effort to improve the delivery of legal services to that segment of the population whose legal needs were not being adequately addressed by existing legal aid providers. To date, LFJ volunteer lawyers have committed 6,190 hours of pro bono civil legal services, and have provided representation to approximately 290 individuals. LFJ is operated as a telephone referral service and will accept cases that are not handled by other organizations providing legal services. Clients cannot earn more than 150% of the federally determined poverty level.
Contact:
Columbus Bar Association175 S. Third St., Ste. 1100
Columbus, OH 43215
614/221-4112
www.cbalaw.org
OREGON
St. Andrew Legal Clinic
St. Andrew Legal Clinic addresses the family law needs of the Portland, Oregon working poor and is dedicated to providing security for children, support to women in crisis, and justice for families. Clinic clients receive quality representation for child support, child custody, divorce, guardianship, spousal support, visitation, step-parent adoption and domestic abuse prevention. Since most clients do not qualify for legal aid and cannot afford to hire private counsel, the clinic charges clients a sliding scale fee that considers family size, complexities of the case and ability to pay. Requiring a fee for service ensures that clients have a voice in their own legal representation.
Contact:
St. Andrew Legal Clinic807 NE Alberta Street
Portland, OR 97211
503/281-1500 Ext. 24
www.salcgroup.org
PENNSYLVANIA
Access to Justice Program
Chester County (PA) Bar Association
The Chester County Bar Association began the Access to Justice Program in July 2004. The program targets those who fall into the gap by making too much money to qualify for legal aid, but not enough to afford private full-serve representation. In the past, the bar sponsored a reduced fee program and attempted to serve the “working poor” by limiting fees to $50 per hour. However, people were unable to afford services at that cost. Legal aid accepts clients with incomes up to 125 percent of poverty guidelines, which would be $11,638 per year for an individual and $23,563 for a family of four. The Access to Justice Program serves those who make up to 187.5 percent of the poverty guidelines, or $17,456 for an individual and $35,344 for a family of four. The bar recruits and provides volunteer services for those who fall below these limits.
Contact:
Chester County Bar Association15 West Gay Street
Second Floor
West Chester, PA 19380
610/692-1889
www.chescobar.org/public/access_to_justice.html
SeniorLaw Center
(formerly Senior Citizen’s Judicare Project)
For more than 20 years, the SeniorLaw Center has been dedicated to meeting the legal needs of the elderly living on limited incomes in Philadelphia. SeniorLaw Center provides legal representation and counsel, community education, outreach and advocacy for Philadelphia’s senior citizens, through the energies of its legal staff and panel of approximately 100 practitioners. Since its founding in 1978, SeniorLaw Center has provided free legal services to more than 26,000 needy seniors, educated more than 65,000 seniors through community-based education, and assisted over 100,000 seniors by providing advice, information and referral services. SeniorLaw Center employs a model that combines fixed fee and pro bono legal services of local attorney. Through its multi-faceted approach, which includes direct legal services, extensive community legal education, professional training and advocacy, SeniorLaw Center and its panel attorneys work to safeguard and defend the legal rights of the elderly. The program focuses its efforts on the most severe recurring legal problems of the elderly, including housing, elder abuse and financial exploitation, consumer protection, grandparent custody and visitation, and end-of-life issues. SeniorLaw Center holds workshops for elders as well as training sessions for other professionals working with the aging population to help bolster their efforts to prevent, recognize and terminate exploitation, abuse, victimization and fraud of the elderly.
Contact:
Land Title Building100 S. Broad Street
Suite 1810
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19110
215/988-1244
www.seniorlawcenter.org/
RHODE ISLAND
The Rhode Island Bar Association's Legal Information
& Referral Service for the Elderly/Reduced Fee
Services & Programming
The primary objective of the Legal Information & Referral Service for the Elderly is to make legal services readily available to senior citizens ages sixty and over. Last year alone over 1,500 elderly clients, the majority moderate income, contacted the Elderly Referral Service for help. For those elderly citizens who needed further legal services lawyer members provided reduced fee representation in the areas of income maintenance, consumer finance, civil, criminal, real estate and family law. Lawyers participating in the reduced fee service for the elderly agree to provide the initial consultation at no charge and to charge a fee that does not exceed $25 per hour if the client needs further legal service. Outreach programming includes, "Ask a Lawyer" and "Legal Clinic" programs, celebration of May as Older Americans' Month and Law Day with team presentations and the Senior Citizens Handbook, Taking Care of Business.
Contact:
Legal Information and Referral Service for the Elderly115 Cedar Street
Providence, RI 02903
401/521-5040
www.ribar.com/public/elderly.asp
TEXAS
Houston Bar Association Modest Means Program
The Houston Bar Association Modest Means Program is a multi-faceted project focused on providing legal services and education to those who have moderate income, but may not be able to afford legal representation. The program is a cooperative effort between the Houston Bar Association and several of the organizations it sponsors - the Houston Lawyer Referral Service, the HBA’s Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program, the HBA Family Law Section. These organizations work together, under the auspices of the HBA, to provide the following legal services:
- A Pro Se Clinic on family law matters;
- A Reduced Fee Lawyer Referral Program that reduces fees at least 25 percent, reduces retainers and offers payment plans to individuals with income up to 225 percent of federal poverty guidelines;
- A LegalLine telephone hotline providing volunteer lawyers to answer legal questions;
- Free legal handbooks on elder law, family law and consumer law issues; and an elder law visitation program, providing legal services at senior citizen centers.
Houston Bar Association
1001 Fannin, Suite 1300
Houston, TX 77002
713/759-1133
www.hba.org/index.htm
The People’s Law School
The Center for Consumer Law
University of Houston Law School
The Center for Consumer Law was founded in 1983, by Professor Richard Alderman, to help educate individuals about their rights as consumers and to help foster the practice and teaching of consumer law. The People’s Law School was established 15 years ago as a Center program to enhance the public’s knowledge of law and the legal system. The People’s Law School has had nearly 25,000 "students" taking classes throughout the state on subjects such as consumer law, wills, small claims court and law on the Internet. Volunteer lawyers, judges or law professors teach each topic. "Students" of the People’s Law School receive materials including the book "Knowing Your Rights! Answers to Texas’ Everyday Legal Questions." The Center is expanding beyond the core curriculum and is developing courses on narrower topics, including "The People’s Law School Goes to Work," which addresses employment law.
Contact:
University of Houston Law Center100 Law Center
Houston, TX 77204
713/743-2100
www.law.uh.edu/peopleslaw
Southeast Texas Legal Clinic
The Southeast Texas Legal Clinic is a legal clinic in the Houston area providing services to HIV infected and affected individuals. Its work plan goes beyond attaining the goals outlined in various grants. It focuses on eliminating barriers to service created by location, culture, language and ignorance. With the full funding of the Legal Clinic in April, 1994, it has provided services to approximately 225 persons. The Legal Clinic has set up various sub-sites in the other HIV-service providers' offices throughout 11 county service delivery area. The Legal Clinic has staff lawyers and an internship program with Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law.
Contact:
Southeast Texas Legal Clinic3400 Montrose Ste. 233
Houston, TX 77006
713/523-7852
San Antonio Community Law Center
The Law Center was founded by Brother William Dooling, a member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, and David C. Lopez, a San Antonio native. The two Harvard classmates submitted a proposal to Patrick Florez, the Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese in San Antonio, who agreed to donate start-up costs and agreed to serve as the chairman of the center's board of advisors. Another religious order contributed, the founders' Harvard classmates donated and the Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation awarded the center funds through the IOLTA program. The center operates on a sliding fee schedule and requires that the clients submit an affidavit that their case has been rejected by other lawyers.
Contact:
San Antonio Community Law Center322 W Woodlawn Ave # 3
San Antonio, TX 78212
210/271-9595
UTAH
The Senior Lawyer Volunteer
Project of Utah Legal Services
The Senior Lawyer Volunteer Project (SLVP) is an estate planning pro bono legal services program for low-income Utah residents. Since April 1993, SLVP has utilized twelve retired or semi-retired lawyers to provide free wills, health-care directives, and simple estate planning services to socially and economically needy clients, addressing unmet legal needs. As the project has developed and become a part of the network for the aging in Utah, it has provided increased assistance with planning for incapacity, powers of attorney, property transfers, and financial exploitation and physical abuse of the elderly. SLVP has provided free legal services to approximately 500 low-income clients over the last nineteen months. The privately funded project, while essentially self contained, is affiliated with Utah Legal Services (ULS) and shares their offices, computer network and telephone system. ULS also provides the SLVP with professional liability coverage, CLE training opportunities, part-time secretarial services, access to its library and staff lawyers, and a part-time lawyer who serves as the SLVP coordinator. The coordinator screens all applications and responds to 50 calls a week. SLVP is in the process of training volunteer lawyers to speak to community groups about living wills, special powers of attorney, and health care directives.
Contact:
Utah Legal ServicesSenior Lawyer Volunteer Project
205 North 400 West
Salt Lake City, Utah 84103
801/328-8891
www.utahlegalservices.org/public/seniors
VERMONT
Have Justice Will Travel
Have Justice will Travel is a non-profit organization whose mission is to stop the generational cycle of abuse in rural American families by making a difference in the lives of women and children who are victims of family violence by bridging the legal, cultural, psychological, geographical, and economic gaps that exist for victims. Have Justice Will Travel provides legal services within Vermont, offering in-home consultations, transportation to and from court hearings and free legal services to domestic violence victims. In addition, Have Justice Will Travel also provides victims with social services. These services include assisting victims with income and budget expenses, helping them apply for mortgage and car loans, filling out welfare forms and applying for subsidized housing.
Contact:
Have Justice Will Travel9580 Vermont Route 113
Vershire, VT 05079
802/685-7809
www.havejusticewilltravel.org
VIRGINIA
Hunton & Williams Church Hill Office
Hunton & Williams' commitment to pro bono legal service is embodied by the firm's entirely separate and self-contained pro bono office in the Church Hill area of Richmond, Virginia, the oldest and one of the poorest neighborhoods of the city. The office was founded in June 1990 and serves the working poor throughout the city. Through it, the firm provides legal representation for basic family, guardianship and housing problems at an affordable cost to people whose incomes are too large to make them eligible for legal aid, yet too small to hire a private lawyer. During the Church Hill office's first year in operation, ten volunteer lawyers handled 120 cases and recorded more than 1,200 hours. Each subsequent year, the number of cases and the number of volunteers have increased dramatically. As of late 1994, there were more than 40 volunteers. The office has become a model for 38 projects across the country.
Contact:
Hunton & Williams LLP2300 East Marshall Street
Richmond, VA 23223
804/775-2248
www.hunton.com/firm/firm.aspx?id=5134
WISCONSIN
Community Justice Inc.
Community Justice Inc is a non-profit law firm that provides a range of individual legal services to those with low and moderate incomes. Clients are those who earn too much to qualify for legal aid, but lack the resources for lawyers who charge market rates. Clients may not have family incomes above 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The clinic is supported by client fees and donations from a variety of sources. In addition to direct representation, the clinic works collaboratively with social service providers, courts, bar associations, practitioners and clinical programs to develop innovative programs to deliver legal services and information.
Contact:
Community Justice Inc.222 S. Hamilton Street, Suite 22
Madison, WI 53703
608/204-9624
www.communityjusticeinc.org/
Small Claims Assistance Program
Dane County, WI
The Small Claims Assistance Program is the result of a collaborative effort between the Dane County Legal Resource Center and the Dane County Bar Association to provide support to the increasing number of pro se litigants. The program offers weekly clinics at the Dane County Courthouse. Volunteers assist with the completion of small claims forms, procedural questions, and offer general information about small claims legal issues. Examples of questions from program participants include how to get security deposits back from landlords, or how to make a consumer complaint and start a small claims action. The program is staffed by trained, volunteer attorneys and paralegals. In addition to the weekly clinics, program volunteers have assisted in drafting informational brochures and booklets, specific to Dane County procedures and resources.
Contact:
Dane County CourthouseDane County Legal Resource Center
215 S Hamilton Street
Madison, WI 53703
608/266-6316
www.countyofdane.com/clrkcort/prepare/assistance.aspx
