In 2016 nearly 1.3 million (or 28% of) Louisiana families fell between 200% - 400% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) and were considered of moderate income. Most moderate income families do not qualify for free legal aid, yet some can afford to pay for services at a reduced rate.

 

People who fall at or below 400% of the FPL will be able to view the directory. Before doing so, they are required to input their family size and household monthly income on the "view directory" page. If they are determined eligible based on the information provided, they will see a listing of attorneys by practice area and parish and they will directly contact the attorney from whom they choose to seek services. This is not a referral program.

 

The participating attorney and client should negotiate and determine the fee for representation. The LSBA will not be involved in setting, monitoring, or enforcing this negotiation and fee agreement. Any and all fees agreed upon by the attorneys and their clients are subject to the requirements of Rules of Professional Conduct 1.5. Written fee agreements are encouraged to ensure that all parties understand the scope and cost of representation.

The average price for affordable services typically falls between $75 and $150 per hour (or the flat fee equivalent) depending on the client’s income. Sliding scale fee structures based on the FPL helps increase access to legal representation for modest means clients, such as:

• Client income 200-250% of FPL: reduce fee by 75%
• Client income 250-350% of FPL: reduce fee by 50%
• Client income 350-400% of FPL: reduce fee by 25%

Additionally, some attorneys offer unbundled or limited scope representation (LSR) in accordance with Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2(c). For information on the ethical obligations for providing LSR, please watch this 30-minute webinar.

 

To join the directory, you must be an active LSBA attorney in good standing and carry malpractice insurance. You must also complete the one-hour CLE on Ethical Considerations When representing clients with limited means and a short survey. Once you complete the online application and are determined eligible, your name and information will be listed on the Directory.

 

Currently, 17 practice areas are listed: Bankruptcy, Business, Civil Rights, Consumer Protection and Debt, Criminal and Traffic, Education, Elder, Emancipation and Delinquency, Employment, Expungement, Family, Foreclosure, Immigration, Landlord-Tenant, Real Estate, SSI/Disability, and Wills, Successions, and Estate Planning.