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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 members and libraries across Louisiana come together to provide free, limited services to the public. Events will take place October 21-26, 2024.   For more information, contact stephanie Beaugh at (504) 619-0106 or Bridget Berins at (504) 619-0145 or email: LawyersinLibraries@LSBA.org

Lawyers in Libraries Event Format

  • Ask-a-Lawyer Consultations at the Library: As in the past, libraries will have the ability to host attorneys for two-hour “Ask-a-Lawyer” sessions where they meet with patrons one-on-one 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. Libraries interested in promoting the phone consultations can opt to direct patrons to a online sign-up form here, or collect patron information on a physical sign-up sheet (link and sign-up sheet provided in materials).

  • 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. We encourage you to share our promotional posts on your library’s Facebook page in October to help spread the word.


'Law Talks' Educational Series 

The Access to Justice Commission's Justice For All Project has launched a "Law Talks" educational series, which are virtual presentations on important legal topics hosted quarterly by legal aid & volunteer attorneys. Presentations will be via Zoom & streamed on the Louisiana Lawyers in Libraries Facebook page. Also, you can check with your local library to see if they are hosting an in-person watch party. Click here for our list of 2025 Law Talks events. Upcoming events are listed below.

January 21, 2025
12:00-1:00PM
Law Talks: 
Heirs' Property 
 
Zoom registration or attend via Facebook Live. Download flyers:
in PDF
February 13, 2025
12:00-1:00PM 
Law Talks:
Workers' Rights: Labor & Employment
Zoom registration or attend via Facebook Live. Download flyers:
in PDF
March 18, 2025
12:00-1:00PM
Law Talks:
Understanding Common Consumer Debt Issues
Zoom registration or attend via Facebook Live. Download flyers:
in PDF
April 9, 2025
5:30-6:30PM
Law Talks:
Child Custody & Grandparents' Rights
Zoom registration or attend via Facebook Live. Download flyers:
in PDF
May 8, 2025
12:00 PM-1:00 PM
Law Talks:
Disability Awareness & Rights
Zoom registration or attend via Facebook Live. Download flyers:
in PDF
June 17, 2025
12:00 PM-1:00 PM
Law Talks:
Disaster Prep & Contractor Fraud
Zoom registration or attend via Facebook Live. Download flyers:
in PDF
July 10, 2025
5:30-6:30PM     
Law Talks:
Landlord and Tenant Issues
Zoom registration or attend via Facebook Live. Download flyers:
in PDF
August 13, 2025
12:00 PM-1:00 PM
Law Talks:
Making A Will
Zoom registration or attend via Facebook Live. Download flyers:
in PDF
September _, 2025 Law Talks:
Adoptions
Zoom registration or attend via Facebook Live. Download flyers:
in PDF
October 20, 2025
12:00-1:00PM
Law Talks: 
Filing for Bankruptcy                         
  (Lawyers in Libraries Week)
Zoom registration or attend via Facebook Live. Download flyers:
in PDF
October 21, 2025
12:00-1:00PM
Law Talks: 
Child Custody & Visitation                         
  (Lawyers in Libraries Week)
Zoom registration or attend via Facebook Live. Download flyers:
in PDF
October 22, 2025
12:00-1:00PM
Law Talks: 
Interdictions, Guardianships & Alternatives 
  (Lawyers in Libraries Week)
Zoom registration or attend via Facebook Live. Download flyers:
in PDF
October 23, 2025
12:00-1:00PM
Law Talks:
Wills & Estate Planning
  (Lawyers in Libraries Week)
Zoom registration or attend via Facebook Live. Download flyers:
in PDF
October 24, 2025
12:00-1:00PM
Law Talks: 
How to Navigate Online Legal Resources 
  (Lawyers in Libraries Week)
Zoom registration or attend via Facebook Live. Download flyers:
in PDF 
November _, 2025 Law Talks: 
Public Benefits & SSI 
Zoom registration or attend via Facebook Live. Download flyers:
in PDF
 
For more information about and Law Talks, contact Stephanie Beaugh or Rachael Mills.
 



Lawyers in Libraries Guide for Library Staff

The Guide and materials below provide library staff with everything they need to schedule Lawyers in Libraries events in their library branches!

  1. Guide for Library Staff - 2024
  2. Sample Press Release -- Customizable 
  3. Ask-a-Lawyer Flyers (Portrait) -- Customizable
  4. Ask-a-Lawyer Flyers (Landscape) -- Customizable
  5. Statewide Ask-a-Lawyer by Phone Sign-Up

Other Resources for Patrons

Included below are several resources created by the LSBA Access to Justice Program to assist library staff in providing legal resources to patrons. These resources are available year-round:

  • LA.FreeLegalAnswers.org - a website where Louisianans can ask legal questions and have them answered for free by volunteer attorneys. The site is available 24/7 to those who qualify based on income.
  • Resources and Referrals List - a list of free legal resources.
  • 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 you can get free, customized legal information by answering a few questions about your legal issue.
  • LSBA Lawyers in Libraries Facebook Page - make sure to follow our Facebook page for updates on next year's events!
  • Civil Legal Assistance Reference Guide - The ATJ Program, in conjunction with the Justice For All Project, created a Civil Legal Assistance Reference Guide to help court staff, community leaders, library staff, clerks, and social service providers direct patrons to available civil legal resources. The guide gives step-by-step directions on how to access and use those resources. It is now available here for everyone to use!


LEAP Librarian Legal Resource Trainings

Other Resources for Librarians

Civil Legal Assistance Reference Guide -The ATJ Program, in conjunction with the Justice For All Project, recently created a Civil Legal Assistance Reference Guide to help library staff, court staff, community leaders, and social service providers direct patrons to available civil legal resources. The guide gives step-by-step directions on how to access and use those resources. 



Louisiana State Bar Association
601 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70130
(800) 421-LSBA(5722) / (504) 566-1600