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The Alabama Young Lawyers Section is always looking for volunteer lawyers across the State who are willing to step in and assist with providing legal representation in the event a disaster occurs in our State. This program provides an excellent opportunity for young lawyers to donate their time to people in our community who are in need.
What to expect if you volunteer?
The Young Lawyers Section has implemented a program working with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) to provide volunteer lawyers to perform pro bono legal assistance to victims in the event of a natural disaster. When FEMA declares that counties in the state of Alabama are eligible for disaster assistance, the Alabama State Bar sets up a 1-800 telephone number through the Alabama State Bar's office in Montgomery. Two members of the State Bar's administrative staff answer all calls from victims and then email an intake sheet to the YLS FEMA chairperson(s) with the victim's name and a brief description of his or her problem/question. The FEMA chairperson will then forward the intake sheet to the volunteer lawyer for legal assistance.
The legal areas in which representation will likely be needed include:
· Insurance Claims
· Landlord-Tenant and Other Housing Problems
· Home Repair Contracts
· Consumer Protection Matters
· Mortgage Foreclosures
· Replacement of Wills and Other Important Legal Documents
· Drafting Powers of Attorney
· Estate Administration (Insolvent Estates)
· Preparation of Guardianships and Conservatorships
By volunteering for this project, you are agreeing to provide all legal services for free. You will not receive any reimbursement for telephone calls, mileage or other related expenses. Generally, the time to respond to a caller will be minimal. You may be able to answer the victim’s questions in a half-hour or draft a few letters on the victim’s behalf in a single day. In some cases, additional time and effort may be required. Please note that fee-generating cases are not covered under this project. If the disaster victim has a case that is potentially fee generating, he or she will be directed to the Lawyer Referral Service of the Alabama State Bar. Consequently, volunteer lawyers will rarely be providing disaster victims with assistance in filing lawsuits.
Please take a moment to contact a chairperson of the YLS FEMA committee to sign up as a volunteer lawyer. Your efforts as a FEMA volunteer will make a difference in someone’s life.
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