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Information for Clients:
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the main office.
VLP Partner Law Firms:
Hodgson Russ, LLP
Jaeckle, Fleischmann & Mugel, LLP
Phillips Lytle, LLP
Cellino & Barnes, PC
The BAEC Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) provides assistance in civil cases only (no criminal cases). The types of cases that VLP helps clients with, are those where there is no automatic right to a free attorney. The attorneys are volunteering their time to help.
To receive free assistance from VLP, you must:
- be financially eligible
- have a case that is covered by the list below
- have merit to your case and
- be cooperative with VLP's staff and volunteers
Even if you meet all of the criteria, it is not guaranteed that you will receive the assistance of a volunteer attorney. Many more clients seek our services than we are able to help. It is possible that you may meet all of the criteria and VLP still might not be able to assist you.
Generally, the types of cases the VLP may be able to help with are:
Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 consumer bankruptcies
Consumer Problems
Debt Collection Defense
Family Law
Divorce, child support (if the other side has an attorney), non-parent custody petitioners, adoptions, guardianships of children, stand-by guardianships of children, guardianships of mentally retarded and developmentally disabled persons, paternity petitioners
Housing
Defending mortgage foreclosures, defending tax foreclosures, clearing title to the home that you live in.
Defending evictions: in the City of Buffalo only, show up at Court on scheduled date and an attorney from VLP or Neighborhood Legal Services will be present to assist you.
Immigration Law
Aliens detained by INS for hearings in Buffalo or Batavia; Immigrant victims of domestic violence; those seeking political asylum; Immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship.
Not-For-Profit Groups
For smaller organizations that focus on assisting the poor, the elderly, the handicapped or the disabled. Assistance with getting incorporated, obtaining tax exempt status, or other legal problems.
Permanency Planning
For children of families affected by HIV/AIDS.
Tort Defendants
If you are being sued for a car accident, dog bite, or another injury of a person and you do not have insurance which covers you.
Unemployment Insurance
Help with hearings before the Administrative Law Judge.
Wills and Powers of Attorney
To apply for legal assistance:
- Call our office at 716-847-0662, or
- E-mail us the following information:
- your name
- address
- telephone number
- gross income (before taxes)
- list all household members and their gross income
- a brief description of your legal problem (what do you want a lawyer to do?).
Please do not come to our office without an appointment.
Applying for legal assistance does not make VLP or any of its employees or volunteers "your lawyer". That decision can only be made by VLP and only after the intake process is completed and your case has been properly reviewed.