Suggestion: Let's form a DU Legal Advocacy and Assistance Corps

[liberalhistorian]

Many times throughout the past five years of DU's existence, members have requested legal advice and assistance from DU lawyers and those with knowledge of legal practices and procedures. And sometimes those members have faced emergency situations where they either need immediate legal help and advice and/or they cannot afford desperately-needed legal assistance.

In my ten years of being a paralegal, I have seen first-hand the desperation and suffering of those who need immediate legal advice and assistance and either can't afford it, don't have access to it, or both. Now that I work for a legal aid agency, I am reminded every day of the desperation of such people and the need for knowledgeable, skilled, but also caring and concerned legal advocacy on their behalf.

I also know that there are times when people involved in social activism may need legal assistance and advice (wrongful arrest during protests, etc.), but they may not always have access to such assistance or the ability to pay for it.

So, here's my proposal. I suggest that we form a Legal Advocacy and Assistance Corps here at DU. There are plenty of lawyers and paralegals among our members, as well as those who would be able to offer logistical assistance. The following would be the primary goals of the Corps:

1. Provide legal advice and assistance to activists participating in marches, demonstrations, protests, and civil disobedience actions, both during the planning stages and afterwards should any problems arise such as arrests, refusals to grant permits, etc.

2. Provide legal advice and assistance to members facing eviction, wrongful termination, racial, gender, religious or disability discrimination, bankruptcy, financial emergencies resulting in lawsuits, liens, etc., especially for those lacking medical insurance who need medical treatment but who cannot get access to it, etc.

3. Provide legal expertise, answering the wide range of legal questions from members, from the legal aspects of starting a business, to bankruptcy/debt collections/domestic relations/landlord-tenant/personal injury/real estate law, etc., etc.

The Corps could be organized in regions, with lawyers from each state serving as experts on their state's laws, according to area of law and the particular goal/need. Perhaps a "rapid response" section could also be formed, for those who require immediate, emergency assistance.

Equal access under the law, regardless of who you are, and the expectation that justice will be served, again, regardless of who you are, are two of the fundamental tenets of both our legal system and the founding principles of this great nation. But justice and equal access don't just happen on their own. They require action from concerned lawyers and citizens and rigorous vigilance in ensuring that such ideals are truly being upheld. It would be wonderful if we could do our part here to assist in maintaining such ideals. And any other ideas to make it work would certainly be appreciated.

[graywarrior]

1. Great idea.

[sandnsea]

2. I am all in

I was a legal secretary for several years. I can do transcription, research, correspondence, whatever. I'm guessing about half the collections wouldn't be there if people had legal advocacy when they're being cheated. This is just a huge need. My son has been fighting for his workman's comp since September, they sent a few checks and then stopped a month ago. No correspondence, nothing. He finally decided he'd have to hire a lawyer. All he wants is to get his back fixed so he can go back to work. The entire system is a mess.

[liberalhistorian]

5. Excellent point,

and I am very knowledgeable and experienced in such areas, especially debt collections, dealing with collectors and creditors, and bankruptcy. And you're right, people desperately need help in these situations and they often don't know where to turn or what to do.

[Coexist]

3. can I vote yes for the group if I am not a lawyer and will not

be participating in helping out?

[liberalhistorian]

6. Of course!

Moral support is always important and welcomed!

[Cleita]

4. Inspired idea and I am all for it.

Since I am one of those who don't know much about legalities, I think it would be useful, particularly for those of us with modest circumstances, who might hesitate to protest and stand up for our rights.

[liberalhistorian]

7. That's one of the main reasons

it would be used for, to be a voice and a power for the voiceless and the powerless. That's what the law should be about.

[TahitiNut]

8. (Buzzz, buzzz) Fly in the ointment.

This is an anonymous forum ... and there's no guarantee someone posing as a lawyer (or paralegal or client) actually is what they say. Furthemore, attorney-client communications are privileged UNLESS revealed through neglect or failure to make an effort to maintain that privilege for any specific interaction. While IANAL, there're some flies buzzing, I think.

[sandnsea]

9. I was actually thinking...

oh crap, there I go thinking again... of going full nonprofit on the idea so that the providers wouldn't be anonymous. I don't know exactly how that would work as far as DU goes, but I've thought there should be something like this for years and years. Legal aid just doesn't have enough resources to meet all the needs out there. I don't know why there are so many nonprofit debt consolidation groups and no nonprofit legal groups to protect your economic rights in the first place. Or help you get your workman's comp so you don't end up needing debt consolidation. That sort of thing. There ought to be retired lawyers interested in this sort of thing.

[TahitiNut]

10. I agree there's a problem - which is why support of Legal Aid is important

I sure wish they were supported better, especially by the financial institutions that support "debt consolidation" agencies that don't usually offer consumers the full scoop. Leave it to this era's 'businessmen' to do their best (and worst) to exploit consumers.

[liberalhistorian]

20. The Legal Services Corps, the

federal agency that funds Legal Aid offices nationwide, has always had to scramble and beg and plead for funding in the past three decades of its existence. The RW launded an especially vicious attack on it back in the mid-90's, some even wanting to cut off most of their funding permanently. To continue funding, the LSC, and its legal aid affiliate offices, had to agree to only accept certain types of cases. Not too surprising, huh?

[liberalhistorian]

13. Now, that is actually a great idea,

making it a non-profit organization. Legal Aid is a wonderful agency that does the best it can with the little it's able to scramble for. I see first-hand everyday what they deal with, how desperate the need is, and how many desperate people have to be turned away because there just aren't enough resources. Leave it to the corporatists and politicians to make sure of that.

There are other non-profit legal advocacy organizations, and they do wonderful work, but most are more specialized and not as general as I envision this to be.

[liberalhistorian]

11. Those are very good and

valid points, and I have a way of addressing it. Anyone wanting to become a part of the Corps as a legal professional, lawyer or paralegal, would have to provide verification and proof of that (privately, of course).

And all interactions between members requesting advice and/or assistance and those legal professionals providing such advice and assistance would be private and not posted publicly. Obviously, there are a lot of logistics to work out, but it's important and it can be done.

[question everything]

15. I think that many can post general suggestions without

getting into the anonymity issue. Not everyone knows about all the agencies that are already there and that it is their job to help those in need. Not everyone knows that most state Attorney Generals have offices that look at consumers' complaints.

And people are often too overwhelmed to think clearly. Whether someone is really a lawyer or just posting as one - if you have a thread discussing back and forth suggestions on how to handle a certain issue - the person in the middle will benefit. At some point, "client" and lawyer can PM privately to put the finishing touch.

I do not have legal background but I think that this is a great idea. If we can have a separate forum, those of the legal profession and other consumer activists will check this forum so that someone's dire problem will not be left to chance encounter with people of the legal profession.

[liberalhistorian]

16. A good response to the very valid point;

see my response above, also.

[DanCa]

12. It's a great idea.

Is there any chance of adding disability issues and - or information to that list? It's a real good idea.

[liberalhistorian]

14. Yes, absolutely, that

is definitely one of the areas that would be covered.

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. Excellent idea

:yourock:

[liberalhistorian]

18. Well, the "edit post" time period has

expired, so I have to post this separately, I guess. Any lawyer/paralegal interested in participating, please feel free to PM me. Let's get started!

[liberalhistorian]

19. Arrrggh, damn duplicate

posts! :evilgrin:

[liberalhistorian]

21. Update:

I've heard from a few attorneys and other legal workers. I'm also starting to put together an outline of how this could be done. If anyone has any suggestions/ideas, please feel free to jump in!

I think this is important, and would be so helpful to so many people, some of them in desperate need of help and advice.

[liberalhistorian]

22. Kick

:kick: