LSA recently welcomed Avery Livingston Stewart to its Montgomery Regional Office on Feb. 18, 2019. A native of LeGrange, GA, Stewart has a background in civil rights and domestic violence law.

For Stewart, LSA seems a perfect fit to her personality and career goals.

“I’ve wanted to work at LSA for a while now,” Stewart said. “I’ve always really liked everyone who I’ve met at LSA. The mission aligns very closely to what I want my career to look like – serving people that need that help but don’t have the resources to obtain it.”

With a passion for the law and research, Stewart stated she is looking forward to putting her legal research into practice.

“I think that everything I’ve done up to this point truly informs LSA’s mission, and I get to practice a body of law I haven’t done before – which is, Real estate, consumer law – credit, garnishment, foreclosure, bankruptcy issues – all of these I am familiar with, but I’ve never practiced them. I get to grow from the beginning,” Stewart said. “I like helping others navigate how the government and law actually work.”

Stewart earned an undergraduate degree from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, a J.D. from Cumberland School of Law, and a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Public Policy from Auburn University. Prior to LSA, Stewart worked as Director of Public Policy with the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV), Coordinator for Civic Engagement at Troy University, Staff Attorney for ACLU of Alabama, and an Adjunct Professor for Auburn and Troy universities.

Not only does LSA offer an opportunity for growth, but Stewart believes her extensive experience will help her get off to a successful start.

“I bring a lot of enthusiasm for the work,” she said. “I am really passionate about the clients who are being served. I’m used to going out in the community, doing outreach, so I already have that skill set. I would really like to do as many cases as possible – learn from the different types of law that come through the Call Center. I’m even more excited about going to court.”

Having spent four years in Montgomery, Stewart describes herself as a master gardener and fitness guru. She is a member of the United States Powerlifting Association and USA Triathlon Association.

“I love my yard – I do all my own yard work,” Stewart said smiling. “I also like working out.”

For more information about Stewart, visit: www.legalservicesalabama.org

(Montgomery, AL)- Legal Services Alabama Inc., (LSA) a statewide nonprofit law firm, will celebrate 15 years of helping low-income individuals across the state. On Feb. 21, LSA will unveil and dedicate a new office location at 610 Airport Road, SW Suite 200, Huntsville.

The special occasion will also honor the leadership of longtime LSA Board members Norman Bradley and Willie Hereford, who have each served for 15 years.

LSA Executive Director Guy Lescault stated, “For the past fifteen years, LSA has continued to grow as a statewide legal aid firm under the leadership of Board members like Norman Bradley and Willie Hereford. It is only fitting that upon the dedication of our new office, we recognize and honor their commitment to LSA.”

LSA will hold additional 15-year-anniversary celebrations throughout the state for the year in the following cities: Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile.

Jaffe Pickett, LSA Deputy Director said, “We are excited about the first event in Huntsville and the upcoming events across the state celebrating 15 years since LSA’s merger.  We have made great strides since the merger, forging new partnerships and funding opportunities. We look forward to celebrating with our dedicated office staff, partners, funders and board of directors who all make our services possible throughout Alabama.”

Legal Services Alabama serves low-income people by providing free civil legal aid and assistance and by promoting collaboration to find solutions to problems of poverty from eight offices located in: Anniston, Birmingham, Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Selma and Tuscaloosa.  For more information about Legal Services Alabama, please visit www.legalservicesalabama.org.

Our January 2019 Advocate of the Month is Gabriel De Moske. Gabriel joined LSA in October 2018. Gabriel specializes in the practice areas of: housing, consumer protection, and third-party debt collection. Gabriel interned for the Huntsville Regional Office (2016) and volunteered for the Tuscaloosa Regional Office (2016-2018). He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies from St. Petersburg College (2014) and received a JD with a certificate in Public Interest Law from The University of Alabama School of Law (2018). While in Law School, De Moske received various awards, including: Pro Bono Excellence Award, Order of the Samaritan, and Outstanding Clinical Student Award. De Moske has 20 years of experience in managing restaurants and resorts, including eight years in St. Thomas and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He currently serves as Staff Attorney in the Tuscaloosa Office.

Among the people Gabriel helped in January was a client whose bank account was being garnished. Gabriel file a Motion to Quash based on the fact that the funds were the proceeds of a student loan. Although opposing attorney opposed it, the court released the garnishment. With Gabriel’s help, the client was able to retain almost $4,000 and continue her education.

In January, Gabriel also helped two clients seeking divorces get fresh starts. In one case, Gabriel helped a domestic violence victim get custody, child support and an order requiring the father to pay all unpaid medical bills. In another case, Gabriel helped a client get custody and alimony to start a new life.

Gabriel was also able to help an elderly man who was sued by a third-party debt buyer. The client came to LSA because he did not recognize the people suing him. With Gabriel’s help, the client was able to prove that the client actually did not owe the money in the case.

In January, Gabriel also helped a client seeking a Protection from Abuse order. With Gabriel’s help, the client finally feels safe and is willing to move forward with divorcing her abuser (which Gabriel is also helping the client with).

Gabriel also helped negotiate with Alabama Power after they shut off a client’s electricity for a bill that her deceased mother had failed to pay. Although Gabriel wasn’t able to have the entire bill set aside (because the client had lived in the house at the time the bill accrued), he was able to make payments spread out over 12 months so that power could be restored to the house.

Finally, in January, Gabriel also helped a mobile home owner who was being forced to remove his mobile home from the park where he had lived for 10 years. The client was being asked to remove his home by new owners within thirty days because they wanted to make changes. With Gabriel’s help, the client was able to stay in the property for several months and was able to secure a buyer and have the mobile home relocated. With Gabriel’s help, the client was able to protect the value of his single largest asset.

Although Gabriel has only been with LSA for a very short time, he is already proving that it doesn’t take years of experience to make a difference. With attorneys like Gabriel, LSA is continuing to ensure great representation for our clients. Thank you, and keep it up Gabriel! 

By Michael Forton, Director of Advocacy

Our December 2018 Advocate of the Month is Kendra Johnson. Kendra joined LSA in April of 2018. Kendra’s specialty areas include: consumer law, bankruptcy, and family law (specializing in situations involving domestic violence).  Kendra received her undergraduate degree from The University of Montevallo and went to law school at Georgetown University Law Center. Despite her short tenure with LSA, Kendra has already proven herself a great advocate for LSA’s client, and a great member of the LSA team. Kendra currently serves as Staff Attorney in the Birmingham Office.

Among other people Kendra helped in December, was a homeowner who was sued for possession of her home based on a tax sale. The home in question was located on property that the client had inherited from her father. After negotiations with opposing counsel, Kendra was able to convince the other side to dismiss the case, and the client was able to remain in her home.

In one case, Kendra helped a father when a debt collector tried to seize funds from his pay check through a garnishment. By attacking the garnishment in court, Kendra was able to make sure that our client would continue to be able to provide for his wife and children.

In December, Kendra helped a client facing over $389,000.00 in medical debts get relief. Kendra filed a Chapter 7 petition in order to help the client get free from debt. With Kendra’s help, the client was able to enjoy the holidays with a fresh start.

Finally, Kendra filed a Chapter 13 petition and stopped foreclosure of a mother’s house after the husband/father essentially abandoned his family and refused to provide support.  In a related divorce proceeding, the court awarded the mother approximately $1,330 per month in child support and alimony, and half of the husband’s retirement valued at $57,000.   

This month and every month, we here at LSA are very proud of the work done by Kendra and the Birmingham office. Great job Kendra!

By Michael Forton, Director of Advocacy

Our November 2018 Advocate of the Month is Rachelle Greczyn. Rachelle joined LSA’s Dothan Office in July of 2016. Rachelle is active in all of LSA’s core service areas including: family, consumer, housing, public benefits, and education law. In 2018, Rachelle joined LSA’s High Impact team and also became the Lead Attorney for LSA’s Empowerment practice group. Since starting at LSA, Rachelle has proved herself to be one of the hardest working and accomplished young attorneys with the program. In November, Rachelle proved this once again by helping a large number of people with a wide variety of problems.

Among the people Rachelle helped this month, was a domestic violence victim who was trying to get her child back and move on safely with a life free from abuse. The client filed a Protection from Abuse case against her abuser. When the client’s abuser avoided service, Rachelle eventually arranged for him to be served at his sister’s house. With Rachelle’s help, the client was able to get a permanent Protection Order and begin the process of rebuilding.

In another case, Rachelle helped a child with special needs facing bullying and a lack of school services, to receive the help he needed. When the parent’s attempts to work with the school did not fix the problem, Rachelle reached out to the Board of Education and the Superintendent. After Rachelle intervened, the school became much more responsive to the child’s needs, and the parents were able to get the support they requested.

Rachelle also went to court in September to help a client obtain a Protection Order. The client came to LSA after she was unable to resolve the issue on her own. The client had tried to remove the offender and was beaten so badly, she needed surgery. Although Rachelle had appeared in August at a hearing with the Housing Authority and ensured the client wouldn’t be evicted, in November she helped the client receive a Protection Order so that she would remain safe in the future.

In another case, Rachelle helped a client facing garnishment to keep her wages. Because the client was not initially eligible for a bankruptcy (due to being behind on certain payments), Rachelle began by protecting her wages through filing a Claim of Exemption. Later, when the client became current, Rachelle filed a bankruptcy so the client had a completely clean financial slate.

In November, Rachelle also helped another client, who was pregnant, to receive a temporary Protection Order in order to separate her from her abuser. Because of Rachelle’s help, this woman will be able to focus on more important issues, like caring for herself and her unborn child.

This month and every month, we here at LSA are very proud of the work done by Rachelle and the Dothan Regional Office. Thanks again, Rachelle!

By Michael Forton, Director of Advocacy

LSA welcomed former immigration attorney Norman Roman, as its newest Staff Attorney to the Mobile Regional Office on Nov. 5.

Born in Bermuda and raised in Washington D.C., Roman has a heart for those who have been exploited/mistreated by the legal system.

With a J.D. from the University of the District of Columbia, David A Clarke School of Law (2015), and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from California State University, San Marcos (2006), Roman currently handles consumer and housing cases.

Wanting meaningful work, Roman stated working for LSA is a “dream come true.”

“I really enjoy it so far,” Roman said. “LSA is perfect for me because their mission is similar to my mission – to help people who can’t help themselves. This entire team in Mobile is laser focused on that goal. It’s just a great team of people to work with. [LSA] is a fantastic opportunity, and exactly where I want to be.”

Prior to joining LSA, Roman worked in Radio Announcing, The Grand Hotel Golf & Spa in Fairhope, AL, and other hotels in Washington D.C. For Roman, seeing the day-to-day predicament of the immigrant community, stirred his emotions and compelled him to want to make a difference as a lawyer.

“I worked with a lot of people from Mexico and Central America … a large population from South Africa,” Roman said. “I felt for those folks and their plight. I felt like they really got ‘kicked around’ in every facet of their lives; From being charged exorbitant interests rates when wanting to purchase a car, to renting a substandard home and being told by a Landlord they didn’t have to fix the leak in the roof or fix the heater in February. I wanted to put myself in a position to help, because hearing their stories just broke my heart every day.”

Roman also volunteered with the Dilley Pro Bono Project, an Immigration Justice Campaign Center housed roughly 80 miles outside of San Antonio, Texas that assists mothers and children seeking asylum in the United States. There are similarities, Roman stated, between the immigrant population and his low-income clients. LSA serves as a “bridge,” Roman stated, in helping the underserved navigate the legal system.

“They are used to being almost a victim of the law in various circumstances – whereas the laws are here to protect people,” Roman said. “When they can get legal help, it really turns things around for them and gives them a better chance of succeeding. I like taking them across, to be that bridge between them and the law, and helping them, through the law.”

Roman, who is also fluent in Spanish, is a member of the Baldwin County Bar Association and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. When not practicing law, he enjoys Golfing, watching the National Football League’s Washington Redskins play, and spending time with his wife Kim of nearly 30 years, and six dogs.

The Alabama Civil Justice Foundation (ACJF) awarded Legal Services Alabama (LSA) with a grant in the amount of $235,000 in September. The grant, which will “impact and improve rural Alabama communities,” is a part of a Rural Economic Improvement Project (REIP) partnership.

LSA Deputy Director, Jaffe Pickett, stated the partnership will help find innovative and collaborative ways to address the economic and consumer issues many rural communities face.  “LSA is honored to receive funding from The Alabama Civil Justice Foundation to provide community redevelopment services targeting rural communities,” she said. “Our Rural Economic Improvement Project will address many of the obstacles low income and vulnerable individuals and families face when in need of free civil legal services.  These critical services will be accomplished through collaboration with service partners, community empowerment and education, and through innovative advocacy designed to remedy some of the underlying issues in impoverished communities. This project was an original and innovative response to a request to meet the needs of so many who are underserved.  The goal is to eliminate many of the systemic and continuous factors that continue to accelerate high rates of poverty; research for this project illustrated that people in rural areas face a much higher probability of having legal issues that are not addressed, and face several obstacles including: a lack of knowledge about available services, transportation barriers, fear of sharing information, and a general barrier to seeking assistance because many people are still struggling for basic survival.”

This project, Pickett stated, was created to fill gaps in services, providing LSA with a Statewide REIP Coordinating Lead Attorney, who will coordinate services in rural areas and address civil legal needs of low-income persons; and a REIP Staff Attorney, who will focus on the nine counties that make up the Black Belt. With a base in LSA’s Selma Regional Office, the attorneys will assist LSA Staff in “providing a financial education and competency” in such areas as: small business services, credit counseling and repair, and financial counseling among others. The Coordinating Lead Attorney will also lead efforts to organize and execute legal clinics in rural, underserved counties, through such means as: creating a comprehensive array of materials, distributing materials to appropriate community groups, and educating the groups about their existence and use while educating and empowering citizens in rural areas of the state.

Pickett also noted, “ACJF funding will allow LSA to provide economic stability and improvement to rural and isolated Alabama communities.  We are excited to begin these critical services and will be assisted by our grant partner, Alabama Appleseed, who will provide essential outcomes for the project.”