1. Volunteer Lawyers Project
Access to Justice Programs

2. Presentation Goals
Offer information to library staff about free and reduced cost civil legal services available to library patrons
Present more specific information about VLP services offered statewide
Build awareness of the difficulties people in rural areas have when attempting to access civil legal services
To discuss existing VLP programming in libraries and invite conversations about how to expand these offerings – especially in context of rural programming

3. Civil Legal Aid Providers

4. Maine Civil Legal Aid Providers
Volunteer Lawyers Project (Family Law and all other Civil Legal Aid)
Pine Tree Legal Assistance (Landlord/Tenant, State/Federal Taxes, and more)
Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (Direct Legal Assistance and Advocacy)
Legal Services for the Elderly (Statewide, clients aged 60+)
Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic (University of Maine School of Law)
Maine Equal Justice Partners (Class Action, Education, Policy, and Advocacy)
Disability Rights Maine and Maine Human Rights Commission
Handout is available with more details for each organization

5. Eligibility
Every service has financial and program guidelines for eligibility
Generally speaking:
Your income must be below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line
The number of people in your household can impact this number
There is also an asset limit (generally excludes your home and one car)
All providers encourage you to call them to determine eligibility
Do not assume you are ineligible

6. Maine Lawyer Referral Service (MLRS)
When no provider helps with a legal issue or you are not eligible
Operated by the Maine Bar Association
$25 Fee paid to the MLRS
Client receives up to three referrals to private attorneys
Free half hour consultation with each attorney
Opportunity to discuss the attorney’s fees
Talk about the basics of the case

7. Volunteer Lawyers Project
Program Outlines and Services

8. VLP Core Programming
CHAP – (Courthouse Assistance Programs) for family law cases
Case Referral Program – For all other civil legal cases
Free Legal Answers Website – Three legal questions per client / year
maine.freelegalanswers.org
Volunteer attorneys throughout Maine log on to answer questions
Helpline – Referrals from DV Agencies for consultations over the phone

9. CHAP – Family Law Help
Clients throughout Maine can receive a free half hour consultation at our clinics
Clinics take place at courthouses
Many people access this service each week
This is the primary family law service offered in Maine
Difficult to access from certain areas of Maine, especially rural areas

10. Case Referral Program Civil legal cases only
Clients throughout Maine can call our hotline
We work with the client to complete an initial intake
VLP requests relevant documents
Once documents are compiled we review internally
If accepted, we are often able to find an attorney to assist pro bono
Some rural areas lack sufficient attorneys to handle full fee cases

11. Case Types VLP Generally Accepts
Benefits Cases (Appealing Determinations / Overpayment)
Social Security, Workers Compensation, and Unemployment
Real Property, Rent to Own, Contracts
Wills, Trusts, Estates, assistance with end of life matters
Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, and Debt Collection
We help with other cases, call us with your issue

12. Free Legal Answers
Members of the public throughout Maine can access the website for free
Create a profile using an address
Post up to three legal questions per year (civil – not criminal)
Only lawyers see your questions and this is confidential
Lawyers throughout Maine login and answer any question they feel comfortable addressing
Clients receive an when there is an answer to their question
Excellent option for clients in rural areas

13. Domestic Violence Helpline
This service is not advertised. Those struggling with DV issues should call their local domestic violence agency
Domestic violence agencies statewide refer clients to the VLP helpline
We recruit attorneys to speak with these clients regarding family law
All referrals come directly from the agencies (listed next slide)

14. DV Resources Hope & Justice Project – Serving Aroostook County
Next Step Domestic Violence Project – Serving Washington & Hancock Counties
Partners for Peace – Serving Penobscot & Piscataquis Counties
New Hope for Women – Serving Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, & Sagadahoc Counties
Family Violence Project – Serving Kennebec & Somerset Counties
Safe Voices – Serving Oxford, Franklin & Androscoggin Counties
Through These Doors – Serving Cumberland County
Caring Unlimited – Serving York County

15. Rural Access to Justice
Overcoming Geographic and Logistical Barriers

16. Barriers to Access
Logistics: Client may live far from clinics or other in-person services
Technology: Client cannot access computer or communication equipment
Court forms
Who to call for help?
Communication with legal aid providers once contacted
Awareness: Client may be unaware that there are services available to help

17. Opportunity Costs Members of the public may be unaware of services
Word of mouth and physical offices in more populated areas
People in vulnerable positions may become isolated

18. Rural Access to Civil Legal Services
Solutions
Rural Access to Civil Legal Services

19. Libraries as Partners
Often clients are closer to a library than a courthouse
Libraries often have computers, printers, fax, and print resources for patrons
Librarians are educated professionals who can help the patron access civil legal aid providers and court information
Libraries can host programming in areas we do not have offices
Offer important feedback regarding the types of help patrons need

20. Legal Services Day
The Volunteer Lawyers Project has partnered with the Bangor Public Library to establish “Legal Services Day”
VLP volunteers staff the event, held quarterly, and perform the initial intakes for our case referral program
We advertise the event to increase visibility and promote both organizations as a resource for connecting with civil legal aid services
We are interested in partnering with more libraries, especially in rural areas

21. Law Day VLP and BPL have worked together on “Law Day” in 2017 and 2018
Last event had 25 people in attendance (largest turnout in Maine)
Appearance on WABI TV 5 promoting the event and another covering the event
We employed no cost “earned media” strategies for Law Day and Legal Services Day:
Facebook / Social Media
Flyers at local businesses
Posting on community calendars and message boards
Mentions from radio hosts (WERU)
Articles in the Bangor Daily News (online edition)

22. What can your library do?
Provide information about the civil legal aid providers
Educate staff and volunteers regarding available services
Help clients access court forms
Assist clients who need to print, scan, or send documents

23. What can we do to help libraries?
Training or resources for staff?
Materials to provide for patrons?
Events held at your library such as legal services day?
Others: