Attorney, paralegal and law student volunteers are needed at upcoming Small Claims Tenant Assistance Clinics in Lawrence and Warren Townships with intake assistance from Indiana Legal Services. You can make a difference in the life of a neighbor facing eviction.
Volunteers will assist in the overall operation of the clinic by guiding tenants through intake, the advice session and the court hearing. Volunteers will also work directly with tenants after the legal advice session by connecting them to critical resources, such as emergency rental assistance programs.
See dates and sign up for Warren Township here.
See dates and sign up for Lawrence Township here.
Paralegals and law students will work directly with tenants during the intake and informational interviews, which will include documenting the tenant's case facts and providing a preliminary review of the evidence the tenant brings to court. Law students will also have the opportunity to observe court sessions.
Prior and during the proceedings, tenants will be asked if they wish to consult with an attorney before appearing in court.
Those that answer yes will be directed to a room to talk to the attorney. Indiana Legal Services (ILS) staff will conduct an intake and have the client complete a Limited Representation Agreement.
Using prepared questions, the attorney will then discuss any possible procedural or substantive defenses to the eviction. There will be materials on-site to consult and experienced housing attorneys from ILS will also be there to join the discussion or answer questions.
The attorney will then be able to prepare a checklist for the client to use to go back into court to either present their case or ask for a continuance.
The attorney will provide a list of Housing Resources to the client. Finally, the attorney will then fill out a Client Response form to return to ILS.
Court is held in three hour sessions on the days noted below.
Warren Township:
- Tuesdays: 9 a.m. to noon
- Thursdays: 1 to 4 p.m.
Lawrence Township:
- Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to noon
- Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon
Sign up for Warren Township here.
Sign up for Lawrence Township here.
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