September 27, 2024
St. Martin Parish Library Partners with La. State Bar Association to Host Lawyers in Libraries Events in October.
St. Martin Parish Library is pleased to announce that it is participating in the annual “Lawyers in Libraries” statewide program in partnership with the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA), the State Library of Louisiana, and the Louisiana Library Association. This year, library patrons across the state have the opportunity to meet with attorney for brief “Ask-a-Lawyer” consultations in person at participating libraries and over the phone.
Through this program, local attorneys will provide free consultations on legal issues. Local attorney Shentell Brown will be volunteering on Wednesday, Oct. 23rd at the Breaux Bridge Library and also on Thursday, Oct. 24th at the St. Martinville Library. Local attorney Christopher Castro will be volunteering on Saturday, Oct. 26th and the Breaux Bridge Library. Those interested in the event can sign up by contacting the library to schedule an appointment in advance.
Patrons unable to attend an in-person consultation but interested in consultations by phone can request to register for this service. To register for a phone consultation, patrons need to visit any of the St. Martin Parish libraries no later than Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. Additionally, presentations from other attorneys on topical legal issues will also be broadcast daily throughout the week via the “LSBA Louisiana Lawyers in Libraries” Facebook page. These programs are free and open to the public.
This attorney-library partnership is a critical one in a state where nearly 20% of the population lives below the federal poverty line, with many more just barely making ends meet. Many people need legal assistance but cannot afford an attorney or don’t know where to start. The Lawyers in Libraries program allows participants to get basic information on their legal issue and be connected to further free and low-cost legal resources. Attorneys can answer questions on a wide range of civil legal topics such as: Bankruptcy, Collection Matters, Custody, Divorce, Evictions, FEMA/Disaster Benefits, Food Stamps, Foreclosures, Housing, Medicaid, Social Security, SSI/SSDI, Successions, Taxes and Wills, and more. (The program does not address criminal matters.)
Thanks to the combined efforts of the LSBA, LSBA members, the State Library of Louisiana, LLA, Law Library of Louisiana, legal aid partners, local bar associations, and other community partners, the success of Lawyers in Libraries has only grown over the years. Since its launch, attorneys have assisted over 10,000 Louisianans and reached patrons in every parish in the state.
For more details or help finding an event in your area, contact your local library, visit their website www.stmartinparishlibrary.org, or visit www.LouisianaLawyersinLibraries.org.
The Louisiana State Bar Association assists its more than 23,000 members in the practice of law. The statewide association, as part of its multi-faceted mission, promotes and maintains access to justice initiatives for the state’s residents, assists the Louisiana Supreme Court in its regulation of the practice of law, upholds the honor of the courts and the profession, and supports programs that increase public understanding of and respect for the law.
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