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Volunteer Lawyers Project | |||
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"Equal Justice Under Law... is perhaps the most inspiring ideal of our society. It is one of the ends for which our entire legal system exists... it is fundamental that justice should be the same, in substance and availability, without regard to economic status." Justice Lewis Powell, Jr. U.S. Supreme Court
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VLP Reception at the Golden Lamb restaurant in Lebanon,
Left to right: Warren County Judge James L. Flannery, Dottie Lewis VLP Development, Krista Lohr Pro Bono Coordinator and Christopher Alexander VLP lawyer. What is the Volunteer Lawyers Project? The Volunteer Lawyers for the Poor Foundation was established in 1982 through the joint effort of the Cincinnati Bar Association and the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati. It now serves Brown, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren Counties. The VLP provides legal services to low- income citizens, linking private attorneys with indigent clients. The VLP builds and fosters a powerful partnership among all segments of the legal community, exemplifying how a community can meet the civil needs of its most vulnerable. The Volunteer Lawyers Project brings the concept of equal justice for all closer to reality. Why should you participate? The demand for legal assistance, which has always been greater than available resources, continues to grow. The Legal Aid Society receives over 30,000 requests for help every year. Through the combined efforts of The Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati and Volunteer Lawyers 6,500 individuals receive assistance; approximately 1,200 of these callers get help from VLP attorneys. In Warren County alone in 2003, 40 new cases were opened with the VLP. Within just the first six months of 2004, The Legal Aid Society received over 600 calls from Warren County requesting legal help. |
How the VLP works Volunteer Lawyers handle cases common to a general civil law practice. These cases may require advice, brief service, investigation, negotiation, or court appearance. The VLP interviews clients and determines financial eligibility and nature of the case, sends you information on the case and, once you have accepted, gives the client your name and phone number. The client is instructed to arrange a meeting with you within ten days. The VLP offers attorneys free malpractice insurance (for work done with the VLP), back-up support of Legal Aid attorneys and paralegals, free training seminars which qualify for Continuing Legal Education Credits and will cover the costs & litigation fees. What can you do? You can contribute in providing legal assistance to the less fortunate in your community by accepting two pro bono cases a year. Attorneys are needed in a variety of legal areas including: housing, consumer, family and unemployment/employment. With the guidance and support of our dedicated staff, many attorneys have found volunteering with the VLP a way to learn more about an area of law they are interested in practicing. For more information contact:
Krista Lohr
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Ohio