Press Release – Legal Services Alabama https://legalservicesalabama.org Mon, 17 Aug 2026 17:44:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://legalservicesalabama.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/cropped-LSA_Mark_SiteIcon-1-32x32.jpg Press Release – Legal Services Alabama https://legalservicesalabama.org 32 32 Mobile Veterans’ Clinic with LSC https://legalservicesalabama.org/mobile-veterans-clinic-with-lsc/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mobile-veterans-clinic-with-lsc Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:31:33 +0000 https://legalservicesalabama.org/?p=15856
Legal Services Alabama to Host Veterans Legal Clinic and Community Resource Event in Mobile with Legal Services Corporation

The free event at The National Maritime Museum on August 20 will connect veterans with civil legal assistance and community resources while highlighting LSC’s new Veterans Outreach Toolkit.

Legal Services Alabama (LSA), in partnership with the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), will host a free Veterans Legal Clinic and Community Resource Education Event on Thursday, August 20, at the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf in Mobile. The event will provide veterans with access to free civil legal assistance, information about available benefits and services, and connections to local community resources.

“With 300,000+ veterans in Alabama, it is imperative that LSA have resources available to provide civil legal assistance to this important segment of our population,” said LSA Executive Director, Guy Lescault. “Current House Congressional Appropriation recommendation to reduce LSC funding by 50% will adversely impact LSA’s ability to help our veterans who have earned the right to free civil legal assistance.”

The event marks the release of LSC’s new Veterans Services Toolkit, a national resource designed to help legal aid organizations, volunteer attorneys and community partners expand veterans’ access to civil legal assistance through effective legal clinics and coordinated community partnerships.

“Veterans should never have to face potentially life-changing legal challenges alone,” said LSC President Ron Flagg. “LSC is committed to partnering with our grantees and other service providers to make sure those who served our country have access to the assistance and resources they need when it matters most.”

Civil legal issues remain among the greatest barriers to stability for many veterans. According to the latest CHALENG survey conducted annually by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, seven of the 10 most commonly identified unmet needs among homeless and at-risk veterans involve legal issues.

The new Veterans Outreach Toolkit provides practical guidance for planning and operating successful veterans’ legal clinics, including step-by-step instructions, templates and resources.

At the August 20 event, veterans will have the opportunity to:

  • Meet one-on-one with LSA attorneys and legal staff
  • Learn about their civil legal rights and available legal solutions
  • Connect with local veterans’ service organizations and resource providers

The clinic reflects LSA’s ongoing commitment to removing barriers to justice for Alabama veterans and strengthening partnerships that improve access to essential legal services across the state.

About the Event

Veterans Legal Clinic and Community Resource Event

Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026

Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Location: National Maritime Museum of the Gulf | 155 Water St, Mobile, AL 36602

Veterans seeking civil legal assistance are encouraged to attend. Along with LSA and LSC, additional veteran-specific community organizations and other service providers in attendance include:

  • Center for Fair Housing
  • Gulf Coast Veterans Advocacy Council
  • Hope For All Gulf Coast
  • Volunteers of American Southeast
]]> 7th Annual Justice, Fairness, & Hope Awards https://legalservicesalabama.org/7th-annual-justice-fairness-hope-awards/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=7th-annual-justice-fairness-hope-awards Thu, 14 May 2026 20:35:05 +0000 https://legalservicesalabama.org/?p=15482

LSA hosted our 7th Annual Justice, Fairness, & Hope Awards Luncheon in downtown Montgomery on May 7, 2026.

Guy Lescault, LSA Executive Director, thanks the Justice, Fairness, & Hope Awards Host Committee for their selection of the 2026 award recipients.

Each award recipient has demonstrated their commitment to advancing access to justice in Alabama and reflect the leadership of the three individuals for whom the awards are named—Tommy Wells, Taze Shepard, and John Lewis.

Guy Lescault, LSA Executive Director

The Justice, Fairness & Hope Awards provides an opportunity to acknowledge the exceptional individuals who have played pivotal roles in advancing access to justice across the state, while raising funds to endow the next class of LSA John Lewis Legal Fellows.

2026 Awards Luncheon on WSFA

2026 Awards Recipients

Tommy Wells Access to Justice Award

Judge Myron Thompson

A longtime federal jurist serving on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Judge Myron Thompson was appointed in 1980 and later served as Chief Judge from 1991 to 1998. He has presided over numerous significant cases involving civil rights, voting rights, prison conditions, policing practices, and redistricting, earning recognition for his thoughtful and impactful decisions. He has also been active in preserving civil rights history in Alabama and has received multiple awards for his contributions to public service and the legal profession.

Taze Shepard Pro Bono Fairness Award

Tom Perry & Tom Heflin | Harvesters of Hope

Harvesters of Hope is an initiative of the Alabama State Bar launched in 2024 during Tom Perry’s term as president and was developed in collaboration with attorney Tom Heflin to address serious gaps in legal representation in rural areas across the state. The campaign was organized in response to data that demonstrated rural geographies in Alabama have too few lawyers, creating “legal deserts” where residents lack meaningful access to legal services. Perry and Heflin dubbed these regions “Legal Opportunity Zones” and worked to recruit and support attorneys who could establish a consistent presence in these rural areas. The initiative also helped form a nonprofit foundation, Harvesters of Hope, to continue the initiative’s success long-term.

John Lewis Hope Award

State Senator Vivian Davis Figures

Vivian Davis Figures is a longtime Alabama public servant and respected civil rights leader who has represented Mobile in the Alabama State Senate for decades. Throughout her career, she has been a steady voice on issues such as education, economic development, voting rights, and criminal justice, earning a reputation for principled leadership and deep community ties. She is part of a distinguished family legacy of public service including her late husband, Michael Figures, who served as a U.S. Senator from Alabama, and her son, Shomari Figures, who serves as the Representative for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The event was attended by representatives of Alabama business, elite law firms, community advocates, and elected officials, including Justice Award presenter Chief Justice Sarah Stewart and Fairness Award presenter Doug Jones.

In addition to an in-person presentation by LSA board member and former board president, Yvonne Saxon, Esq., Sen. Vivian Figures received a video presentation of the John Lewis Hope Award from her son, U.S. Representative Shomari Figures.

Rep. Shomari Figures Presents Hope Award to Vivian Figures

Thank You to Our John Lewis Legal Fellowship

SPONSORS

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]]> Meet Our 2026 Justice, Fairness & Hope Award Recipients https://legalservicesalabama.org/meet-our-2026-justice-fairness-hope-award-recipients/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=meet-our-2026-justice-fairness-hope-award-recipients Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:00:20 +0000 https://legalservicesalabama.org/?p=15337

Legal Services Alabama (LSA) is proud to announce the distinguished recipients of its annual Justice, Fairness, & Hope Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the pursuit of justice through legal advocacy in Alabama.

Guy Lescault, LSA Executive Director, thanks the Justice, Fairness & Hope Awards Host Committee for their selection of the 2026 award recipients.

“Each award recipient has demonstrated their commitment to advancing access to justice in Alabama and reflect the leadership of the three individuals for whom the awards are named—Tommy Wells, Taze Shepard and John Lewis,” says Lescault.

LSA has served Alabama communities for over two decades, providing critical support to individuals facing legal challenges. The Justice, Fairness & Hope Awards provides an opportunity to acknowledge the exceptional individuals who have played pivotal roles in advancing access to justice across the state, while raising funds to endow the next class of LSA John Lewis Legal Fellows.

Tommy wells access to justice award

Judge Myron Thompson

A longtime federal jurist serving on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Judge Myron Thompson was appointed in 1980 and later served as Chief Judge from 1991 to 1998. He has presided over numerous significant cases involving civil rights, voting rights, prison conditions, policing practices, and redistricting, earning recognition for his thoughtful and impactful decisions. He has also been active in preserving civil rights history in Alabama and has received multiple awards for his contributions to public service and the legal profession.

Taze Shepard Pro Bono Fairness Award

Attorneys Tom Perry & Tom Heflin |
Harvesters of Hope

Harvesting Hope is an initiative of the Alabama State Bar launched in 2024 during Tom Perry’s term as president and was developed in collaboration with attorney Tom Heflin to address serious gaps in legal representation in rural areas across the state. The campaign was organized in response to data that demonstrated rural geographies in Alabama have too few lawyers, creating “legal deserts” where residents lack meaningful access to legal services. Perry and Heflin dubbed these regions “Legal Opportunity Zones” and worked to recruit and support attorneys who could establish a consistent presence in these rural areas. The initiative also helped form a nonprofit foundation, Harvesters of Hope, to continue the initiative’s success long-term.

John Lewis Hope Award

State Senator Vivian Figures

Vivian Figures is a longtime Alabama public servant and respected civil rights leader who has represented Mobile in the Alabama State Senate for decades. Throughout her career, she has been a steady voice on issues such as education, economic development, voting rights, and criminal justice, earning a reputation for principled leadership and deep community ties. She is part of a distinguished family legacy of public service including her late husband, Michael Figures, who served as a U.S. Senator from Alabama, and her son, Shomari Figures, who serves as the Representative for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

LSA’s 7th Annual Justice, Fairness, & Hope Awards luncheon will take place at noon on May 7 at the RSA Activity Center, 201 Dexter Ave Montgomery, AL 36104. LSA looks forward to the continued collaboration with its dedicated partners, supporters, and the broader community as it works to fulfill its mission of increased access to justice for all in Alabama.

Click Here to Learn More About the Annual Justice, Fairness & Hope Awards
]]> New Members Added to LSA Board of Directors https://legalservicesalabama.org/new-members-added-to-lsa-board-of-directors/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-members-added-to-lsa-board-of-directors Mon, 26 Jan 2026 22:06:08 +0000 https://legalservicesalabama.org/?p=15288

Legal Services Alabama has added four new members to its Board of Directors to advance its mission of closing the civil legal justice gap in all 67 counties. New members join the Board from across the state to share their experience advancing advocacy strategies in Alabama.

Carmelita Arnold

Carmelita Arnold serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Lowndes County Unincorporated Wastewater Program (LCUWP), a nonprofit focused on addressing septic and wastewater infrastructure problems in rural parts of Lowndes County.

She brings a diverse background to her role, including service in the U.S. Air Force and professional experience as an Air Traffic Controller with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

In her work with LCUWP, Arnold leads efforts to engage with local government and health agencies, and advocate for low-income residents affected by failing wastewater systems.

Her role is rooted in improving public health and environmental conditions in rural Lowndes County by expanding access to proper sanitation infrastructure for historically underserved rural residents.

In her new role on the LSA Board of Directors, Arnold will bring a deep understanding of the intersection between public health and access to justice.

She remains committed to advocating for underserved rural communities and advancing solutions that protect families’ health, dignity, and legal rights across Lowndes County.

Eve Brantley

Eve Brantley, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences and serves as a Water Resources Specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. In this role, she works to advance research-based education related to water resources across Alabama.

She holds a Ph.D. from Auburn University’s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, a master’s degree in forest resources from Clemson University, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Berry College.

Dr. Brantley has held faculty and specialist roles with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System since 2009. Her other roles have included Agriculture Program Associate with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System Water Program, work with the Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center as well as working under the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant.

Dr. Brantley is actively engaged in professional leadership in Auburn and across Alabama. She is the incoming president of the Alabama Section of the American Water Resources Association, and a member of the Soil and Water Conservation Society and the Alabama Association of County Agriculture Agents and Specialists.

Miriam Nava

Originally from Guatemala, Miriam Nava came to Alabama in 2005 and has since dedicated her career to working with and for her community.

She began her service as a volunteer with La Casita and later worked for several years with the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama (HICA), where she supported community education and advocacy efforts. Her work has consistently focused on empowering individuals through access to resources and connecting them with community-based support.

Nava currently works with Adelante Alabama Worker Center, an organization that unites low-wage and immigrant workers and their families in the Birmingham area to defend workers’ rights and pursue justice.

The organization centers the voices of the most vulnerable workers and strives to create safer, more equitable living conditions for immigrants, people of color, and working-class families.

“For me it is a lovely experience to be able to show my community what one day other people taught me,” Nava said. “Now I have the great opportunity to work at Adelante and continue to be involved with the community, which is the work I have always loved to do.”

As a member of the LSA Board, Nava brings lived experience, community trust, and a strong understanding of the challenges facing low-wage workers.

Kristy Waldron

Kristy Waldron, J.D. is counsel in the Mobile office of Burr & Forman LLP, where she practices insurance defense, business litigation, and government liability, with a focus on appellate work.

She represents clients in complex civil matters, including medical malpractice, wrongful death, shareholder disputes, and civil rights cases. She has successfully briefed and argued cases before the Georgia Supreme Court, the Alabama Supreme Court, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

Waldron began her legal career as an assistant district attorney in Alabama and Georgia and later held roles at Alford Bolin, LLC and Frazer, Greene, Upchurch & Baker, LLC.

She serves as first vice president of the Mobile Bar Association Women Lawyers and is a member of the Junior League of Mobile. She earned her J.D. from Tulane University Law School and a B.A. in anthropology from Haverford College.

As a member of the LSA Board of Directors, Waldron brings extensive courtroom experience, appellate expertise, and a commitment to supporting access to justice for all Alabamians.

]]> Collaborative Estate Planning & Heirs’ Property Outreach: Huntsville https://legalservicesalabama.org/collaborative-estate-planning-heir-property-outreach-huntsville/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=collaborative-estate-planning-heir-property-outreach-huntsville Mon, 03 Nov 2025 17:05:15 +0000 https://legalservicesalabama.org/?p=15160

A first of its kind Estate Planning and Heirs’ Property Outreach is planned for November 11 from 9 AM – 3 PM on the AA&M University campus. The event is organized through a collaboration with AA&M-ACES, Will Breland and Adele Underwood, Director and former Director of the Faulkner University Thomas Goode Law School, Generational and Ancestral Property (GAP) Clinic, Greg Varner Law Firm, and Legal Services Alabama.

The event will consist of an Heirs’ Property Overview presented by Jacy Fisher, Senior Associate Attorney with Greg Varner’s Law office. The mainstay of the event will be three separate clinics: estate planning; heirs’ property resolution; and genealogy and real property searches.

The estate planning clinic will consist of attorneys assisting attendees, Witnesses and a Notary Public. Through additional resources provided by AlaBar-VLP, attendees will leave with a complete estate plan consisting of three basic estate planning documents: Last Will & Testament, General Power of Attorney, and Advance Directive aka Living Will.

The heirs’ property clinic will consist of attorneys providing legal advice about attendees’ heirs’ property issues and providing next steps to resolution.

Qualified attendees are eligible to become LSA clients.  

The genealogy and real property clinic will consist of students from AA&MU and Faulkner University Thomas Goode Law School, and the Generational and Ancestral Properties (GAP) Clinic assisting attendees to create family trees, research deeds/property, and provide information on real property.

This is a great networking opportunity as lawyers from both private and public firms are expected to volunteer.

Lunch will be served for volunteers. Light refreshments for attendees. Rest breaks are built into the schedule.

]]> Mobile: Legal Compass Online Self-Help Testing Session https://legalservicesalabama.org/mobile-legal-compass-online-self-help-testing-session/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mobile-legal-compass-online-self-help-testing-session Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:08:50 +0000 https://legalservicesalabama.org/?p=15088

Legal Services Alabama (LSA) is pleased to announce an upcoming class designed to introduce participants to Legal Compass AL, a free online tool empowering individuals who may not have access to traditional legal services.

The class will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the LSA Mobile Office.

Attendees are encouraged to stop by according to their availability and do not need to plan on staying for the full two-hour window.

LSA officially launches its innovative online tool this month. It’s intended to assist individuals across Alabama by providing easy access to legal resources and guidance, even if they don’t qualify for free legal aid. The self-help tool allows users to describe their civil legal issue using their own words and Legal Compass will provide relevant legal action plans based on their legal issue, including recommendations and links to relevant forms and legal information.

As part of the launch, in-person community-wide classes are being hosted across the state to ensure Legal Compass meets community needs. At the classes, participants will learn how to access, navigate and use the platform in real-time to provide valuable feedback about the user experience.

The classes are not intended to offer civil legal advice, but to test this exciting new resource for authentic responses to how easy Legal Compass is to find, navigate, understand and more. Staff will be on-site to guide participants throughout the class.

“Our LSA attorneys have developed 16 legal action plans that cover the legal areas with the greatest demand for client services,” said Guy Lescault, LSA executive director. “With the Legal Compass AL site launch this month, we hope that the site will help narrow the justice gap and increase access to justice for more Alabamians.”

The launch and classes are part of LSA’s mission to expand access to justice for all, especially underserved and self-represented individuals. The upcoming class in Mobile is the last of the classes. Previous classes were held in Birmingham, Anniston, Madison and Jasper.

The online tool will be available anytime and accessible on smart devices at legalcompassal.org.

“Legal Compass AL is an incredible resource for those who may not know where to turn for legal help,” said Lescault. “We encourage anyone in need of assistance or interested in learning more about their legal rights to attend this free class.”

Space is limited, so interested individuals are encouraged to arrive at the Levon C. Manzie Neighborhood Resource Center, located at 110 N Lafayette St, Mobile, AL 36604, before the 10:30 a.m. class time.

In addition to learning about Legal Compass AL, each participant will receive a token of our appreciation. At the end of the training class and upon completion of a short user survey, participants will receive a Walmart gift card.

]]> Jasper: Legal Compass Online Self-Help Testing Session https://legalservicesalabama.org/jasper-legal-compass-online-self-help-testing-session/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=jasper-legal-compass-online-self-help-testing-session Wed, 10 Sep 2025 18:19:28 +0000 https://legalservicesalabama.org/?p=15052

Legal Services Alabama (LSA) is pleased to announce an upcoming class designed to introduce participants to Legal Compass AL, a free online tool empowering individuals who may not have access to traditional legal services.

The class will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Jasper Area Family Services Center.

LSA officially launches its innovative online tool this month. It’s intended to assist individuals across Alabama by providing easy access to legal resources and guidance, even if they don’t qualify for free legal aid. The self-help tool guides users through a series of questions about their situation to provide a civil legal action plan based on their answers, including recommendations and links to relevant forms and legal information.

As part of the launch, in-person community-wide classes are being hosted across the state to ensure Legal Compass meets community needs. At the classes, participants will learn how to access, navigate and use the platform in real-time to provide valuable feedback about the user experience.

The classes are not intended to offer civil legal advice, but to test this exciting new resource for authentic responses to how easy Legal Compass is to find, navigate, understand and more. Staff will be on-site to guide participants throughout the class.

“Our LSA attorneys have developed 16 legal action plans that cover the legal areas with the greatest demand for client services,” said Guy Lescault, LSA executive director. “With the Legal Compass AL site launch this month, we hope that the site will help narrow the justice gap and increase access to justice for more Alabamians.”

The launch and classes are part of LSA’s mission to expand access to justice for all, especially underserved and self-represented individuals. Along with the upcoming class in Jasper, an additional class will be held in Mobile.

The online tool will be available anytime and accessible on smart devices at legalcompassal.org.

“Legal Compass AL is an incredible resource for those who may not know where to turn for legal help,” said Lescault. “We encourage anyone in need of assistance or interested in learning more about their legal rights to attend this free class.”

Space is limited, so interested individuals are encouraged to arrive at the service center, located at 1400 19th St. West in Jasper, before the 10:30 a.m. class time.

In addition to learning about Legal Compass AL, each participant will receive a token of our appreciation. At the end of the training class and upon completion of the survey, participants will receive a Wal-Mart gift card.

]]> Madison: Legal Compass Online Self-Help Testing Session https://legalservicesalabama.org/madison-legal-compass-online-self-help-testing-session/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=madison-legal-compass-online-self-help-testing-session Wed, 10 Sep 2025 15:30:41 +0000 https://legalservicesalabama.org/?p=15042

Legal Services Alabama (LSA) is pleased to announce an upcoming class designed to introduce participants to Legal Compass AL, a free online tool empowering individuals who may not have access to traditional legal services.

The class will be held on Tuesday, Sept.16, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Madison Public Library.

LSA officially launches its innovative online tool this month. It’s intended to assist individuals across Alabama by providing easy access to legal resources and guidance, even if they don’t qualify for free legal aid.

The self-help tool allows users to describe their legal issues using their own words and Legal Compass AL provides a civil legal action plan based on their question, including recommendations and links to relevant forms and legal information.

As part of the launch, in-person community-wide classes are being hosted across the state to ensure Legal Compass meets community needs.

At the classes, participants will learn how to access, navigate and use the platform in real-time to provide valuable feedback about the user experience. The classes are not intended to offer civil legal advice, but to test this exciting new resource for authentic responses about how easy Legal Compass is to find, navigate, understand and more. Staff will be on-site to guide participants throughout the class

“Our LSA attorneys have developed 16 legal action plans that cover the legal areas with the greatest demand for clientservices,”said Guy Lescault, LSA executive director. “With the Legal Compass AL site launch this month,we hope that the site will help narrow the justice gap and increase access to justice for more Alabamians.”

The launch and classes are part of LSA’s mission to expand access to justice for all, especially underserved and self-represented individuals.

Along with the upcoming class in Madison, additional classes will be held in Jasper and Mobile.

The online tool will be available any time and accessible on smart devices at legalcompassal.org. 

“Legal Compass AL is an incredible resource for those who may not know where to turn for legal help,” said Lescault. “We encourage anyone in need of assistance or interested in learning more about their legal rights to attend this free class.”

Space is limited, so interested individuals are encouraged to arrive at the meeting center, located at 142 Plaza Blvd. in Madison, before the 10:30 a.m. class time.

In addition to learning about Legal Compass AL, each participant will receive a token of our appreciation. At the end of the training class and upon completion of the survey, participants will receive a Wal-Mart gift card.

]]> Anniston: Legal Compass Online Self-Help Testing Session https://legalservicesalabama.org/anniston-legal-compass-online-self-help-testing-session/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=anniston-legal-compass-online-self-help-testing-session Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:50:14 +0000 https://legalservicesalabama.org/?p=14991

Legal Services Alabama (LSA) is pleased to announce an upcoming class designed to introduce participants to Legal Compass AL, a free online tool empowering individuals who may not have access to traditional legal services. The class will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 9, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Anniston City Meeting Center.

LSA officially launches its innovative online tool in September. It’s intended to assist individuals across Alabama by providing easy access to legal resources and guidance, even if they don’t qualify for free legal aid. The self-help tool allows users to describe their legal issue using their own words. The site then provides a civil legal action plan based on their question, including recommendations and links to relevant forms and legal information.

As part of the launch, in-person community-wide classes are being hosted across the state to ensure Legal Compass meets community needs. At the classes, participants will learn how to access, navigate and use the platform in real-time to provide valuable feedback about the user experience.

The classes are not intended to offer civil legal advice, but to test this exciting new resource for authentic responses to how easy Legal Compass is to find, navigate, understand and more. Staff will be on-site to guide participants throughout the class.

“Our LSA attorneys have developed 16 legal action plans that cover the legal areas with the greatest demand for client services,” said Guy Lescault, LSA executive director. “With the Legal Compass AL site launch next month, we hope that the site will help narrow the justice gap and increase access to justice for more Alabamians.”

The launch and classes are part of LSA’s mission to expand access to justice for all, especially underserved and self-represented individuals. Along with the upcoming class in Anniston, additional classes will be held in Madison, Jasper and Mobile.

The online tool will be available anytime and accessible on smart devices at legalcompassal.org.

“Legal Compass AL is an incredible resource for those who may not know where to turn for legal help,” said Lescault. “We encourage anyone in need of assistance or interested in learning more about their legal rights to attend this free class.”

Space is limited, so interested individuals are encouraged to arrive at the meeting center, located at 1615 Noble St. in Anniston, before the 10:30 a.m. class time. In addition to learning about Legal Compass AL, each participant will receive a token of our appreciation. At the end of the training class and upon completion of the survey, participants will receive a Wal-Mart gift card.

]]> LSA Launching New Legal Compass Self-help Tool https://legalservicesalabama.org/lsa-launching-new-legal-compass-self-help-tool/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lsa-launching-new-legal-compass-self-help-tool Fri, 15 Aug 2025 16:49:55 +0000 https://legalservicesalabama.org/?p=14933

Legal Services Alabama (LSA) is pleased to announce an upcoming class designed to introduce participants to Legal Compass AL, a free online tool empowering individuals who may not have access to traditional legal services. The class will be held on Thursday, August 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the North Shelby Library in the Mueller Annex Classroom.

LSA will officially launch its innovative online tool this September. It’s intended to assist individuals across Alabama by providing easy access to legal resources and guidance, even if they don’t qualify for free legal aid. The self-help tool guides users through their situation to provide a civil legal action plan based on their question, including recommendations and links to relevant forms and legal information.

As part of the launch, in-person community-wide classes are being hosted across the state to ensure Legal Compass meets community needs. At the classes, participants will learn how to access, navigate and use the platform in real-time to provide valuable feedback about the user experience.

The classes are not intended to offer civil legal advice, but to test this exciting new resource for authentic responses on how easy Legal Compass is to find, navigate, understand and more. Staff will be on-site to guide participants throughout the class.

“Our LSA attorneys have developed 16 legal action plans that cover the legal areas with the greatest demand for client services,” said Guy Lescault, LSA executive director. “With the Legal Compass AL site launch next month, we hope that the site will help narrow the justice gap and increase access to justice for more Alabamians.”

The launch and classes are part of LSA’s mission to expand access to justice for all, especially underserved and self-represented individuals. Along with the upcoming class in Birmingham, additional classes will be held in Huntsville, Mobile, Oxford and more.

The online tool will be available anytime and accessible on smart devices at legalcompassal.org.

“Legal Compass AL is an incredible resource for those who may not know where to turn for legal help,” said Lescault. “We encourage anyone in need of assistance or interested in learning more about their legal rights to attend this free class.”

Space is limited, so interested individuals are encouraged to arrive at the library, 5521 Cahaba Valley Road in Birmingham, before the 10:30 class time. In addition to learning about Legal Compass AL, each participant will receive a token of our appreciation. At the end of the training class and upon completion of the survey, participants will receive a Wal-Mart gift card.


Media Contact:

J. Jackson, Communications Manager – jjackson@alsp.org | 334-659-2957

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