Attorneys volunteering time in free legal advice program
The 3rd Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee says free legal appointment services started in 2011 continue to be helpful to the public.
During the first quarter of 2018, Madison County lawyers provided free legal appointments to 38 local residents with limited incomes in the Madison County Law Library located in the lower level of the courthouse at 155 N. Main St. in Edwardsville.
“The judges in this circuit join with members of the public to thank every attorney who donated their time this quarter and in past quarters to provide low-income self-represented litigants with free legal advice,” said Chief Judge David Hylla. “We are continually working to help the public understand court procedures and these lawyers are providing great help.”
The volunteer attorneys during the first quarter of 2018 were: Andrew Velloff, Angela Donohoo, Beth Bauer, Bonnie Levo, Chad Richter, Christopher Threlkeld, Christine Kovach, Elizabeth Levy, Gina Verticchio, Holly Hampton, Joseph Hill, Joseph Whyte, Julie Tracy, Katherine Smith, Kathleen Buckley, Kelly Libbra, Leslie Wood, Matthew Champlin, Missy Greathouse, Stephanie Lyons, Susan Jensen, Terrence O’Leary and Zachary Pashea.
In addition to the appointments, the Law Library houses the Self-Help Center where staff can assist people who do not have attorneys in finding forms to file pleadings and other services. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4:30 p.m. during Monday through Friday when the courthouse is open.
The appointments are available by appointment on any legal subject except criminal law, including but not limited to subjects such as family law or areas such as debt collection, landlord-tenant, small claims, or any other civil area of law. The free appointments are held the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
The appointments are for those of limited incomes who do not have attorneys and qualifying information will need to be provided. To make an appointment or to volunteer, call (618) 296-4472 or e-mail Lauren Jansen at lljansen@co.madison.il.us.
