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Lawyers in Libraries

For the past 11 years, the Louisiana State Bar Association, the Louisiana Library Association, and the State Library of Louisiana have hosted “Lawyers in Libraries” events during National Celebrate Pro Bono Week. During this week, LSBA attorneys and libraries across Louisiana come together to provide free, limited services to the public. T

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Lawyers in Libraries Event Format

This year, we hope to combine lessons from the pandemic with our original program design to host the most successful Lawyers in Libraries yet. Here’s what this will look like:

• Ask-a-Lawyer Consultations at the Library: As in the past, attorneys can volunteer for two-hour “Ask-a-Lawyer” sessions where they meet with patrons one-on-one at the library to answer their civil legal questions and connect them to further resources.

• Ask-a-Lawyer Phone Consultations: During COVID-19, we introduced phone consultations as a way to continue the program while we couldn’t meet in person, but we learned that they are a great option for attorneys and patrons alike who may not be able to get to the library for an event. Attorneys interested in participating in the phone consultations will be able to select the "Virtual Calendar" instead of a library on the scheduling tool.

• Facebook Workshops: We will again host attorneys for virtual webinars on our Facebook page on timely legal issues throughout the week of the program. Past topics have included divorce and custody, successions and estate planning, bankruptcy, and more. If you are interested in presenting on a legal topic, select the "Virtual Calendar" from the scheduling tool and select "Facebook Webinar" from the task options.

Additionally, based on feedback from patrons, attorneys, and libraries, we are opting not to organize in-library workshops as we have in previous years, unless specifically requested by an attorney or library. This will allow us to focus more closely on making sure events meet individual patrons’ legal needs, which may include complex personal or private matters.

Resources for Assisting Pro Bono Clients

The LSBA Access to Justice Department has compiled the following resources to assist attorneys in serving clients pro bono:

• LA.FreeLegalAnswers.org - a website where low-income Louisianans can ask civil legal questions and have them answered for free by volunteer attorneys.
• Resources and Referrals List - a list of free legal resources to share with low-income clients
• The Modest Means Directory - a list of attorneys who agree to offer a la carte or lower-cost services to people who don't qualify for civil legal aid
• Louisiana Civil Legal Navigator - a site where members of the public can get free, customized legal information by answering a few questions about their legal issue
  
• LSBA Lawyers in Libraries Facebook Page - make sure to follow our Facebook page for updates on next year's events!