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Whether nationally or in Utah, attorneys generously serve the indigent in many settings, by adding pro bono work to their regular law practices or by committing their entire careers to
that service. Opportunities to serve are practically unlimited, so long as you have the generosity to volunteer for even short periods of time. Lack of specialized legal experience is
almost never a bar to pro bono work. In one state, a corporation's in-house legal department initiated a public immigration law clinic, supporting it both financially and with volunteers
from its own staff, tutored in the law they needed to learn. A large civil law firm on the East Coast committed extensive attorney time to death row representation of a Texas inmate.
Utah's volunteer and public interest attorneys offer you a peripheral service even as you read this article. Those attorneys are working at a wide variety of legal clinics and
organizations, which are listed below by geographic location and by organization. You may appreciate having this ready reference for sources of free or low-cost legal help throughout
Utah, a list which can also be found on the state courts' website, at www.utcourts.gov/howto/legalassist/.
But don't stop at garnering such minimal benefit from their efforts!
Those same generous folks are willing to mentor you into public service, providing invaluable training and support. Volunteer information can be obtained from the people whose phone
numbers are listed following each site description below.
Encourage your interest in pro bono work by considering these comments from a few experienced volunteers:
Waine Riches
has worked for over five years to establish and operate a free clinic for self-represented litigants in the Matheson Courthouse, where he volunteers over 30 hours weekly. He estimates that this year he will help about 8,000 clients "who have no other source of assistance." He says: "Waine's Clinic is the most grueling, exciting, and just plain fun project I've ever put together. Pro se clients, by definition, must take complete personal responsibility for resolving their own problems. That struggle causes them to grow and change. This is the first time in 20 years of public law service that I see my efforts resulting in significant, positive changes in people's lives. I chose law as a career to make a difference. With this project, I feel I'm finally doing that." YES, Waine would appreciate help from more volunteers, including those willing to serve on reduced fee panels or to provide unbundled representation through limited court appearances. Waine's volunteer needs are detailed below, following the description of his clinic hours.
Nelda Bishop
is a retired attorney who oversees the weekly domestic law clinic in Farmington, as well as volunteering at protective order hearings. Asked about her motivation for pro bono work, Nelda described a distressing protective order case from the previous day, laughed, and said she sometimes asks herself the same question with an introspective emphasis: "Why DO I do this?" The answer that keeps her going, though, is that she wants to help people who are in trouble, and knows that occasionally her assistance helps them get off to a good start. She also remembers attorney Jim Holbrook's past comment that he could not afford to hire himself, and she knows there are people in desperate need of legal help who simply cannot afford it.
Natalie Segall, who volunteers with Park City's Tuesday Night Bar says: "I do pro bono work because there is a real need for it in Summit County, where many people
with legal questions and needs have no access to legal assistance. I've been doing this for three years, off and on, and sometimes feel like ÔMs. Pro Bono.' But I am fortunate to have the
education and knowledge that I have, and feel I should Ôgive back' some of it to those who don't have the same advantages."
Gary McKean has supervised the Mountain View Legal Clinic in Layton for several years. Motivated by spiritual conviction, his pro bono work allows him to "live out" the Biblical injunction to "love mercy, do justice, and walk humbly with our Lord." (From Micah 6:8, which is the guiding scripture for the clinic's co-sponsor, the Christian Legal Society.) He believes that "all people need legal help at times, and we ought to give it to them whether they can pay for it or not. We cannot always help clients resolve their problems, but we can always listen and show that we care. Sometimes that's all they need, and we must be there to do at least that much."
Jay Kessler has volunteered for more than three years at the weekly legal clinic at Salt Lake City's St. Vincent DePaul soup kitchen; last fall, he was presented with Catholic Community Services' annual community service award. Jay says that his selfish reason for volunteering is that "it makes me feel great; I am happy to help others. Sometimes I walk out of the St. Vincent's Center drained from all the horror stories I have heard, but providing this service also rejuvenates me." His dedication is undergirded by a scripture associated with his deep personal faith: "I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, . . . administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants." (Mosiah 4:26) Jay also notes with gratitude that his wife's wholehearted support allows him to make his exceptional service commitment.
The law firm of Snow Jensen & Reece has sponsored a free monthly legal clinic in St George since 1996, with the firm's attorneys rotating volunteer service for people in Southern Utah who cannot afford attorney services. Lowry Snow says that the firm began the clinic as "a wayÊto give somethingÊof value back toÊthe community. We recognized that a real need for this kind of basic assistance was not being met."
Free or Low-Cost Sources of Legal Assistance in Utah
Free Legal Clinics
Brigham City
Legal Info Night: Held the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, at the YCU (Your Community in Unity) in
Brigham City, located at 435 East 700 South. No appointments are necessary, no time limits apply, and the first who come will be served first. Interested attorney volunteers should
contact Cindy Lorrigan, the YCU's program director, at 435-723-5600.
Utah Legal Services' Pro Se Clinic: Held the second Thursday of each month, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, at 43
North Main. First come, first served. Call 435-734-4600 to check for scheduling changes. Interested attorney volunteers should contact Fred W. Anderson, Utah Legal Services, by calling
800-662-4245.
Cedar City
Utah Legal Services' Pro Se Clinic: Held from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm on the fourth Wednesday of the month, at the Fifth District
Courthouse, 40 North 100 East. Call 435-867-3250 to check for scheduling changes. Interested attorney volunteers should contact Fred W. Anderson, Utah Legal Services, by calling
800-662-4245.
Farmington
Domestic law clinic: Held Mondays, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, in the Second District Courthouse, 800 West State Street. Family law matters
only. Call 801-447-3800 to check for scheduling changes. Interested attorney volunteers should call Nelda Bishop at 801-792-7889.
Utah Legal Services' Pro Se Clinic: Held
from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, in the Second District Courthouse, 800 West State Street. Call 801-447-3800 to check for scheduling changes. Interested
attorney volunteers should contact Fred W. Anderson, Utah Legal Services, by calling 800-662-4245.
Layton
Mountain View Legal Clinic, co-sponsored by Christian
Legal Society: Held the first and third Monday of each month, beginning at 6:00 pm, at Mt. View Baptist Church in Layton (Highway 193 at 2585 East 3000 North). For an appointment, call
801-771-3204. No religious affiliation is necessary. Attorney volunteers are welcome, so long as they agree with principles/statement of belief of Christian Legal Society. For
information, contact the above number for the church office.
Logan
Utah Legal Services' Pro Se Clinic: Held every Thursday from 8:30 to 10:30 am, at the First
District Courthouse, 135 North 100 West. Call 435-750-1300 to schedule an appointment before attending. Interested attorney volunteers should contact Fred W. Anderson, Utah Legal
Services, by calling 800-662-4245.
Moab
Seek Haven Legal Clinic, sponsored by Utah Legal Services: Held in Moab the first Monday of every month, from 7:00 Ð 8:30
pm, at 81 North 300 East. First come, first served. Contact 435-259-2229 for more information.
Ogden
Utah Legal Services Pro Se Clinic: Held from 1:00 to 3:00 pm on
the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, at the Second District Courthouse, 2525 Grant Avenue. Call 801-394-1173 to check for scheduling changes. Interested attorney volunteers
should contact Fred W. Anderson, Utah Legal Services, by calling 800-662-4245.
Weber County Bar Night: Held the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at Your Community
Connection (YCC), located at 2261 Adams in Ogden. Call 801-394-9456 at least one week in advance for an appointment. Starts at 5:30 pm. Interested attorney volunteers should call
Sharon Mercer, YCC Volunteer Member Specialist.
Park City
Tuesday Night Bar: Held the first Tuesday of every month, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, at Miner's Hospital,
1345 Park Avenue, in Park City. First come, first served. Interested attorney volunteers should call Natalie Segall at 435-655-3626.
Small Claims Court Mediation: Held twice
monthly, during small claims court at Silver Summit Justice Center, 6300 Silver Creek Drive. Free mediation services offered through trained volunteer mediators. For details, call Natalie
Segall at 435-655-3626, or Lisa Dator at 435-640-7062
Price
Utah Legal Services Pro Se Clinic: Starting on 4/26/04, this clinic will be held from 10:00 am until 1:00
pm on the fourth Monday of each month, at the Seventh District Courthouse, 149 East 100 South. Call 435-636-3400 to check for scheduling changes. Interested attorney volunteers should contact Fred W. Anderson, Utah Legal Services, by calling 800-662-4245.
Provo
Community Mediation Center: This non-profit center offers mediation service for all types of conflict, including divorce, employment, business, consumer,
and debt. No one is denied service because of inability to pay, and fees are on a sliding scale. Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party facilitates communication between
parties who are in dispute. Services are available in person and through conciliation on the telephone. Training is offered in mediation and classes for families. The Center also provides
negotiation, communication, or mediation training to businesses. For mediation service, call 801-863-7919 or 801-422-3842, or contact the Center at www.communitymediationcenter.org. For
volunteer information, please contact the Center through the phone numbers listed above.
Small Claims Court Mediation, available during small claims court in Utah County. Free
mediation offered through trained volunteer mediators, in collaboration with BYU's J. Reuben Clark Law School. For information, call J. Reuben Clark Law School, at 801-422-2159.
Richfield
Utah Legal Services Pro Se Clinic: Held on the fourth Thursday of every month, from 10 am until 1:00 pm, in the Sixth District Courthouse, 895 East 300 North. Call
435-896-2700 to check for scheduling changes. Interested attorney volunteers should contact Fred W. Anderson, Utah Legal Services, by calling 800-662-4245.
Roosevelt
Utah Legal Services Pro Se Clinic: Held from 9:00 am until noon on the second Wednesday of the month, at the Roosevelt Senior Center, 50 E. 200 South. Call 435-722-4296 to check
for scheduling changes. Interested attorney volunteers should contact Fred W. Anderson, Utah Legal Services, by calling 800-662-4245.
St. George
Talk to a
Lawyer: Conducted from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on the third Wednesday of every month by the law firm of Snow Jensen & Reece, this program offers free 15-minute consultations. Located at
Washington County Library at 50 South Main Street. Call for an appointment at 435-628-3688. Interested attorney volunteers in the area who would like to participate should contact the
firm at the above number.
Utah Legal Services' Pro Se Clinic: Held from 8:30 until 11:30 am on the fourth Wednesday of the month, at the Fifth District Courthouse, 40 North
100 East. Call 435-985-5700 to check for scheduling changes. Interested attorney volunteers should contact Fred W. Anderson, Utah Legal Services, by calling 800-662-4245.
Salt Lake City
Legal Aid Society's "Family Law Clinic for Self-Represented Litigants": Held weekdays from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm, in Room W15 of the Matheson
Courthouse, at 450 South State Street. Staffed by a paralegal experienced in domestic law, who provides legal forms and assists in their completion. No legal advice is given. Call
801-238-7440 for information. Interested attorney volunteers should contact Stewart Ralphs at 328-8849, ext. 3114.
Waine's Clinic: A free program designed to assist
self-represented (pro se) litigants, particularly with divorce and custody cases. The clinic, directed by a volunteer attorney, is held on Mondays from about 11:00 am until about 5:00 pm,
and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from about 11:00 am until about 8:00 pm Waine's Clinic is located in the Matheson Courthouse, at 450 South State Street. Call 801-238-7804 for additional
information, and to confirm dates and times. No appointments. Interested attorneys should contact Waine Riches by e-mail, at wainesclinic.msn.com. Waine would particularly like to hear
from (1) clinic volunteers with experience in general practice, immigration law, and criminal defense, and/or with foreign language skills, and (2) volunteers willing to become part of a
panel of pro bono and/or reduced fee attorneys who (i) have foreign language skills; (ii) are willing to represent those who cannot represent themselves, for reasons such as illiteracy,
low education, or mental disabilities, (iii) are willing to attend hearings with pro se litigants using the unbundled services model Ð clients will already have the necessary paperwork;
or (iv) will undertake full representation at a reduced fee.
Street Law: A project initiated by Utah Legal Services and assisted by volunteer law students from the University
of Utah's law school. These programs assist with a variety of issues, ranging from filling out small claims and wage forms to legal consultation on many subjects. The programs include:
- Guadalupe School: 340 South 1040 West (Goshen Street). Meets Tuesday 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Note: A Spanish-speaking interpreter is almost always available.
- St. Vincent's: Located at 437 West 200 South. Meets Thursdays from noon until 2:30 pm. Interested attorney volunteers should call Jay Kessler, at 252-1400.
- Fourth Street Viaduct location: Held outdoors under the Fourth Street Viaduct, at 500 South and 600 Ð 700 West. Meets Sundays from 8:30 to 10:30 am Note: These dates and times are
subject to change.
Utah Legal Services' Pro Se Clinic: Held at Community Legal Center, 205 North 400 West, on the first and third Thursdays of every month, from 9:00 am until noon. Spanish-speaking clinic.
By appointment only, which may be scheduled by calling Todd at 259-1471 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm on weekdays. Interested attorney volunteers should contact Fred W. Anderson, Utah
Legal Services, at 800-662-4245.
Utah Center for the Deaf, legal clinic sponsored by Utah Legal Services. Held every third Wednesday, by appointment only. Call Annette Stewart
at 263-4892 to schedule an appointment. Interpreters are provided. Interested attorney volunteers should contact Fred W. Anderson, Utah Legal Services, by calling 800-662-4245.
Utah
State Bar's "Tuesday Night Bar": Most Tuesdays from 5:00 to 6:30 pm, the Utah State Bar, through its Young Lawyers Division, offers personal consultations with volunteer
attorneys. Appointments may be scheduled by calling 801-257-5516 on Monday afternoons between 1:00 and 5:00 pm, eight days prior to the appointment. Interested attorney volunteers
should contact either Jami at 538-1032 or Diane at 531-9075.
Needs of Elderly Committee, monthly legal clinics: Held at 19 different senior centers and senior housing units in
Salt Lake County, for two hours over lunchtime. Must be at least 60 years old to qualify for assistance. Call Elona at 257-5516 on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday afternoons for information
about locations and times. Alternatively, call the senior center closest to you for information. Interested attorney volunteers should contact either Elona at 257-5516, or Mary Jane at
272-3511. Minimum required commitment is 8 hours/year; resources and mentoring provided, and CLE training may be available.
Salt Lake County
Landlord-Tenant
Mediation Program: Provides mediation services to landlords and tenants involved in eviction proceedings in the Salt Lake County area, through trained volunteer mediators. This program
represents collaboration between the Community Action Program and the Utah State Courts. For more information, contact Josie Turner at 359-2444, ext. 225.
Small Claims Court
Mediation: Available during small claims court in Salt Lake County. Free mediation offered through trained volunteer mediators, in collaboration with Utah Dispute Resolution. For
information, call Utah Dispute Resolution at 801-532-4841.
Tooele
Utah Legal Services Pro Se Clinic: Held every Monday, except the fourth Monday, at the Tooele
Courthouse from 10:00 am until noon. Call 435-843-3210 to check for scheduling changes. Interested attorney volunteers should contact Fred W. Anderson, Utah Legal Services, by calling
800-662-4245.
Tooele Senior Clinic, sponsored by Utah Legal Services Pro Se Clinic: Only for senior citizens, and only by appointment. Held at Tooele Senior Center, from 9:00
to 10:00 am on the first and third Mondays of every month. Call 435-882-2870 to schedule an appointment. Interested attorney volunteers should contact Fred W. Anderson, Utah Legal
Services, by calling 800-662-4245.
Vernal
Utah Legal Services Pro Se Clinic: Held from 9:00 am until noon OR 1:00 to 4:00 pm, on the second Tuesday of the month,
at the Eighth District Courthouse, 920 East Highway 40. Call 435-781-9300 to check for scheduling changes. Interested attorney volunteers should contact Fred W. Anderson, Utah Legal
Services, by calling 800-662-4245.
Agencies and Organizations: Statewide & Local Sources of Direct Legal Representation or Free Legal Advice and Referral
American Civil Liberties Union:
This nonprofit legal advocacy organization only litigates cases that affect the civil rights or liberties of large numbers of people. The ACLU
does not provide direct representation to individuals, unless there is potential to set precedent for civil liberties issues. For more information about the ACLU or to fill out a civil
rights complaint form, please visit their web page at www.acluutah.org, or call 801-521-9862.
Disability Law Center:
This private, non-profit organization protects and
advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities. Free services are provided statewide to individuals and families facing disability-related problems, especially in the areas of
access and rights, abuse and neglect, education, community services, assistive technology, institutional care, and employment. Services include information on disability law and
individual rights, investigation and monitoring in residential facilities; mediation and negotiation; representation in administrative hearings and court proceedings; and self-advocacy
support and training. Call 800-662-550-4182, 800-550-4182 (TTY), or 801-363-1347 for assistance. Assistance may also be requested through the website www.disabilitylawcenter.org, or by
visiting the Community Legal Center, 205 North 400 West in Salt Lake City.
Immigration Law:
Holy Cross Ministries Immigration Legal Services: Legal assistance in
immigration cases is provided, regardless of religious affiliation, to eligible applicants, on a sliding scale fee basis. For more information, call 908-0293, ext. 38 or ext. 22.
Catholic Community Services, Immigration Program: Legal assistance with immigration matters is provided, regardless of income or religious affiliation. Flat fees are charged, which vary
by case type and complexity. Fees may be waived for exceptional financial hardship. For more information, call 801-977-9119 between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Interested attorney volunteers should contact Scott Benson at 428-1255.
International Rescue Society: A certified immigration specialist offers low cost assistance with basic immigration services, including adjustments of status, petitions for
family reunification, and applications for naturalization, travel documents, and employment authorization. For more information, call 801-328-1091 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through
Friday. Interested attorney volunteers should contact Tatjana Micic at the above number.
Legal Aid Society:
This private, non-profit organization provides legal
representation, regardless of income, to victims of domestic violence or stalking who need a protective order or a civil stalking injunction. For low-income individuals whom it has
assisted in domestic violence cases, it also provides representation in family law matters such as divorce, paternity, and custody. In addition, limited representation is provided for
low-income, incapacitated persons against whom the Office of Public Guardian has filed a guardianship petition. Assistance is provided only for cases in Salt Lake County, for courts in
downtown Salt Lake City, West Valley City, and Sandy. For more information, call 801-328-8849. Domestic violence and civil stalking victims are provided service on a walk-in basis at the
Matheson Courthouse, Room W17, 450 South State Street, Salt Lake City (telephone 801-238-7170).
Multicultural Legal Center:
Currently, this organization provides
immigration relief in cases in which domestic violence is involved. Call 801-486-1183 for information.
Small Claims Court Mediation Programs:
Provides mediation services
to disputants in small claims cases, prior to court. These programs are available in Salt Lake County, Provo (Utah County), and Park City (Summit County). For more information, contact
the numbers given under program descriptions listed above, under the headings for Park City, Provo, and Salt Lake County.
Utah Dispute Resolution:
With the help of
volunteer mediators, this non-profit organization provides mediation services free or at low cost to people and organizations in the community. No one is denied service because of
inability to pay. Some areas of mediation service include divorce, parenting time and plans, landlord and tenant, workplace, and consumer and merchant issues. Bilingual mediators are
available in several languages. Mediation is a problem-solving process used to resolve disputes between two or more parties, with the help of an impartial and neutral third party (the
mediator). Call 801-532-4841 for information, or visit UDR offices at The Law and Justice Center, 645 South 200 East, in Salt Lake City. Interested volunteers should contact Pam Nelson
at the above number.
Utah Legal Services:
This organization handles civil cases for Utahns with low incomes, and for migrant farm workers and Native Americans. Areas
of assistance include family law, housing, public assistance, senior citizen issues, and health benefits. Services include answering questions, providing legal advice, assisting with the
preparation of legal documents, and representing clients in court. For more information, call the intake line at 1-800-662-4245 or, if dialing from within the Salt Lake City area, call
328-8891. Intake is available in Spanish, as well as English. Normal intake hours are 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Offices are located in Salt Lake, Ogden, Provo, and Cedar
City. Interested attorney volunteers should contact Utah Legal Services at one of the numbers listed above.
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