Call for Volunteer Lawyers for Appalachian Kentucky

Call for Volunteers

AppalReD/VLAK is in urgent need of attorneys to accept cases, pro bono or by contract ("low bono"), in all counties in our service area, but particularly in Floyd, Johnson, Monroe, Cumberland and Adair Counties.  Pro bono attorneys are also needed to assist with pro se clinics, both in-person and virtual.  Please contact Mary Going, Pro Bono Director, at (606) 889-1955 or maryg@ardfky.org 

AppalReD serves the following counties in Kentucky:  Bell, Clay, Harlan, Knox, Laurel, Whitley, Breathitt, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry, Wolfe , Pike, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Magoffin, Martin, Clark, Estill, Garrard, Jackson, Madison, Powell. Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Lincoln, McCreary, Monroe, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, and Wayne

Stronger Than Ever

As we emerge (hopefully!) from a two-year pandemic that both cramped our style (a little) and nurtured our creative talents (a lot), VLAK has a lot to be grateful for (and proud of).  Most of us emerge with our health relatively intact and our programs, through perseverance and out of necessity, have developed in ways we could not have imagined pre-pandemic. 

Our self-help family law clinics, for example, shifted into remote mode and, due to their success, we now offer a “hybrid” schedule (with some clinics in-person and some virtual), as we realize that remote clinics, while challenging in some ways, extend the availability of pro se legal assistance to those unable to travel to our in-person clinics. Likewise, the remote clinics make it possible for volunteer lawyers to offer their time and expertise without the need to travel to an in-person clinic outside their own area.

New Clinic Coordinator

VLAK is pleased to welcome our new Clinic Coordinator, Pauline Burkett.  Pauline comes to us with a wealth of experience in data collection and analysis from her prior work with the census bureau, and her commitment and industriousness have already  boosted and improved participation in our clinics. (Keep reading for a schedule of upcoming clinics.)  Welcome, Pauline!

“Conn cases”

AppalReD/VLAK continues to provide representation to clients of former attorney Eric C. Conn whose Social Security Disability benefits are at risk, through the services of approximately 50 pro bono attorneys throughout the nation. Their perseverance through the past seven years (and counting) of this ongoing battle speaks highly of their commitment to our clients and to the legal profession at large. Thank you! 

Notre Dame Students Visit

 During the week of March 7, 2022, AppalReD hosted a group of law students from the University of Notre Dame. The students assisted with three clinics: two in-person and one virtual. This was also an opportunity for us to use our new computer tablets, funded by the Nora Redmon Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation of Louisville, and pre-loaded with the documents necessary to initiate a case for dissolution of marriage. These tablets have made document preparation much quicker, clearer and more efficient. 

Upcoming Self-Help Family Law Clinics

· May 4, 2022 , Wednesday, In-Person, Berea from 1 to 4 pm at Madison County Public Library located at 319 Chestnut Street in Berea

· May 17, 2022, Tuesday, virtual, from 9 am to noon

· June 8, 2022, Wednesday, virtual from 1 to 4 pm

· July 12, 2022, Tuesday, in person, Somerset from 1 to 4 pm at the Pulaski County Public Library located at 304 S. Main Street, Somerset

· August 3, 2022, Wednesday, virtual from 1 to 4 pm

· September 7, 2022, Wednesday, in-person, Barbourville from 1 to 4 pm at Union College, located at 310 College Street, Barbourville

· October 18, 2022, Tuesday, in person from 1 to 4 pm, Prestonsburg (location pending), with assistance of Notre Dame Law students

· October 19, 2022, Wednesday, in person from 1 to 4 pm, Richmond (location pending), with assistance of Notre Dame Law students

· November 9, 2022, Wednesday, virtual from 9 am to noon.

· December 13, 2022, Tuesday, virtual from 1 to 4 pm.

· VLAK also provides occasional assistance with pro se documents for inmates at the Floyd County Jail.

Open Cases

We always have cases we need volunteer lawyers to take on. Thank you for saying yes!

Extended Service Representation provides the core of VLAK’s services. 

As of this writing the cases open with our pro bono and contract attorneys are illustrated in the charts below:

To volunteer or for more information Mary Going, Pro Bono Director, at (606) 889-1955 or maryg@ardfky.org.