Office Information
| Name: | Southern Legal Counsel |
| Address: | 1229 NW 12th Ave, Gainesville, FL - 32601 |
| Phone: | (352) 271-8890 |
| Fax: |
Service Information
Southern Legal Counsel, Inc. (SLC) is a Florida statewide not-for-profit public interest law firm that is committed to the ideal of equal justice for all and the attainment of basic human and civil rights. SLC primarily assists individuals and groups with public interest issues who otherwise would not have access to the justice system and whose cases may bring about systemic reform. SLC uses a range of strategies to achieve its goals, including litigation, policy advocacy, and training and technical assistance to lawyers, lay persons and organizations.
Legal Service Assistance
CHILDRENS LEGAL SERVICES
DISABILITY RIGHTS
EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION
HOMELESSNESS
HOUSING RIGHTS -
Multifamily Affordable Housing Preservation Project
Multifamily, affordable rental housing units represent a unique and important part of providing affordable housing, especially for extremely low income families. The affordability restrictions that were placed on such units have begun to expire and in some cases have been terminated early by the owner of the property or the federal government. Most recently, the economic crisis has increased the need for affordable housing, yet has resulted in a number of foreclosures of multifamily, affordable housing properties. These lost units are difficult, if not impossible, to replace. With its regional partners, SLC is working to preserve affordable, multifamily housing units using community education and outreach, policy advocacy, and systemic litigation to preserve affordable, multifamily housing.
IMMIGRANTS RIGHTS
OTHER CIVIL RIGHTS
In general, we do not handle cases that involve criminal prosecutions, divorce, child custody, or wills. We take cases which have significant public issues or that may help other people in addition to you. We also usually take cases for persons of low income. We regret that sometimes we cannot take cases even when we know that peoples rights have been violated.
General Request Form: http://www.southernlegal.org/index.php/request-assistance/general-request-form/
Pro Bono Services
SLC receives more requests for assistance than it can accept. Many of the cases involve advocacy and administrative challenges in the areas of medicaid waiver, nursing home transition, special education and expulsion hearings. Please complete the contact information form to add your name to our pro bono referral list. link: http://www.southernlegal.org/index.php/pro-bono-opportunities/
Mission Statement: Southern Legal Counsel, Inc. (SLC) is a Florida statewide not-for-profit public interest law firm that is committed to the ideal of equal justice for all and the attainment of basic human and civil rights. SLC primarily assists individuals and groups with public interest issues who otherwise would not have access to the justice system and whose cases may bring about systemic reform. SLC uses a range of strategies to achieve its goals, including litigation, policy advocacy, and training and technical assistance to lawyers, lay persons and organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Legal Aid
- What is legal aid?
Legal aid is free or low-cost legal assistance for people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Legal aid organizations provide a variety of legal services, including advice, representation, and advocacy, to help low-income people resolve their civil legal problems.
- Who is eligible for legal aid?
Eligibility for legal aid varies depending on the organization. Generally, legal aid organizations serve people with incomes below a certain level, as determined by the federal poverty guidelines. Some legal aid organizations also have additional eligibility criteria, such as citizenship status or immigration status.
- What kind of cases does legal aid handle?
Legal aid organizations handle a wide range of civil legal problems, including:
* Housing* Education* Employment* Family law* Immigration* Public benefits* Consumer law* Health care* Disability rights
- How do I get legal aid?
To get legal aid, you can contact your local legal aid organization or a state or national legal aid hotline. Legal aid organizations typically have intake interviews to determine eligibility and assess the need for legal assistance.
- Is legal aid free?
Legal aid is generally free for eligible clients. However, some legal aid organizations may charge for certain services, such as filing fees or expert witness fees.
- What if I don’t qualify for legal aid?
If you do not qualify for legal aid, there are other options available to you, such as pro bono lawyers or legal self-help resources. Pro bono lawyers are lawyers who volunteer their time to provide free legal services to low-income people. Legal self-help resources can provide you with information and tools to help you represent yourself in court.
Here are some additional frequently asked questions about legal aid:
- What is the difference between legal aid and a public defender?
Legal aid organizations provide free or low-cost legal assistance to people with civil legal problems. Public defenders provide free legal assistance to people who are accused of crimes.
- Can I get legal aid for a criminal case?
No, legal aid organizations do not provide legal assistance for criminal cases. Criminal cases are handled by public defenders.
- How can I find a legal aid organization near me?
You can find a legal aid organization near you by visiting the website of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), the national organization that funds legal aid programs. The LSC website has a directory of legal aid organizations by state and county.
Free Legal advices
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Free Legal Advice for All
Access to Justice for Everyone
No Cost Legal Help for Low-Income Individuals
Pro Bono Lawyers: Helping Those in Need
Legal Aid Organizations: Your Source for Free Legal Services
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