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News/Media
Volunteer Legal Services (VLS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping low-income Central Texans solve their civil legal problems by finding attorneys to help them at no charge.
Results:
Since May 1981, attorney volunteers have:
- Helped tens of thousands of clients
- Donated tens of thousands of hours of time
- Delivered millions of dollars of legal services
Currently, over 1200 attorneys are actively volunteering their time. Each year, several local attorneys and forms are recognized for outstanding pro bono work for VLS.
Primary Services:
- Finding volunteer
attorneys to help clients
Typical civil legal matters that are referred
to VLS for pro bono legal services include landlord/tenant
issues, social security disability appeals,
domestic violence and family law matters, bankruptcies
and consumer problems, will and probate issues,
guardianship establishment, and real estate
cases.
- Providing
legal advice
In partnership with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid,
VLS holds legal advice clinics on Monday and
Wednesday evenings at local middle schools.
People can get free legal advice from an attorney
volunteer and apply for further legal assistance
through Texas RioGrande Legal Aid.
- Conducting
legal clinics
VLS helps people help themselves through assisted
pro se clinics. VLS also holds specialized clinics
to help specific populations, such as the elderly
and hearing impaired.
How It Works:
Help begins with brief legal advice provided at a Monday or Wednesday evening legal advice clinic held by VLS and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Eligible attendees apply for further legal services through Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Most clients not assisted by Texas RioGrande Legal Aid attorneys are referred to VLS for placement. Ineligible clinic attendees are given advice and referred to an appropriate agency.
Who is Eligible for Help:
- Generally, individuals with incomes at or under 125%
of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. In 2005,
a family of 4 cannot have income of more than
$465 per week. Additionally, individuals cannot
own many assets other than their
homestead and a car.
- Individuals with non-fee generating civil
legal matters. No criminal cases are taken.
Where Does VLS Fit in the Legal
Community:
A network of organizations exists in Travis County to help low-income persons with legal problems. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid is the primary partner of VLS, but VLS also works with Family Eldercare, the Women’s Advocacy Project, Texas Legal Services Center, Safeplace, Austin Habitat for Humanity, the Capitol Area AIDS Legal Project, the Lawyer Referral Service, the Political Asylum Project of Austin, the Catholic Diocese of Austin and other agencies. The Austin Bar Association is an active supporter of VLS and works to promote pro bono services in our community. |
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