Legal Services Alabama

The Advocate: Vol. 6, Issue 1

Legal Services Alabama — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 15:20:16 +0000

The newest issue of Legal Services Alabama’s legal journal, The Advocate, is available to read!

Click the button below to read our Rural Advocacy issue to learn more about the work LSA does across the state to meet the needs of our clients, regardless of their address.

2026 LSA Public Interest Law Conference: Building Brides for Access to Justice

Legal Services Alabama — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:31:20 +0000

The 2026 LSA Building Bridges for Access to Justice Public Interest Law Conference successfully brought together legal professionals, support staff, and advocates from across the state in Birmingham for two days of learning and fellowship. The event served as a platform for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and reflecting on the impact of advocacy in Alabama.

This year’s conference included three conference tracks: introductory and advanced legal training on LSA’s core service areas (housing, consumer, family, and public benefits) as well as an additional track for developing client management skills and generating personal growth in the workplace.

Conference Highlights

Day 1: Tuesday, September 22

Intro to Landlord/Tenant Law: LSA Housing Lead Attorney, Jennifer Blazer

Foreclosures & Ejectments: LSA Mobile Lead Attorney, Gabriel De Moske

TRUE Listening – Listening Better Together: Elizabeth Vander Kamp, TRUE Founder

Tips & Tricks from the Bench Plenary: Judges Debra Weston-Pickens, Tiffanie Agee, W. Casey Duncan & Brian Huff

Intro to Consumer Law: LSA Consumer Lead Attorney, Rachele Reis

Consumer Issues in Car Cases: Chris Donald, Alabama Car Lawyers, LLC

Effective Client Interviews: Crystal Gregory, Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations

Intro to Domestic Violence: Sam Armstrong, Safehouse of Shelby County

Filing Emergency Motions in Divorces: Brian Turner, Gregory Fann Turner Law, LLC

Conflict Management: Randy Gibson, Hughes Harper Gibson

Day 2: Wednesday, September 23

The second day continued with specialized sessions and culminated in the LSA Awards Luncheon:

Intro to Unemployment Lead Attorney: Rachelle Greczyn, LSA Empowerment Lead Attorney

Social Security Hearings from the ALJ Perspective: Judge Cynthia Brown

Dealing with Burnout & Time Management: Jack Carney, Certified Elder Law Attorney

Advocacy in Action – The Work of Public Interest Partners in Alabama Plenary: Robyn Hyden (Executive Director, Alabama Arise), Scott Fuqua (Legal Director, Alabama Appleseed), Leah Nelson (Senior Research Associate, Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama)

LSA STAFF ADVOCACY AWARDS

Support Staff of the Year

Tanya Snow

Montgomery Administrative Assistant

Pam Barnes

Tuscaloosa Administrative Assistant

Rising Star of the Year

Amira Calhoun

Montgomery Staff Attorney

Advocate of the Year

Kendra Johnson

Birmingham Lead Attorney

LSA Office of the Year

Huntsville Office

YEARS OF SERVICE AWARDS

5 YEARS

Kyle Anderson, Tuscaloosa Managing Attorney

Bennett Hand, Help Desk Analyst I

Antoinette Harris, Development Coordinator

Pharthina Moppins, Mobile Administrative Assistant

Robert Rygiel, Assistant Development Director

Louise Seale, Data Analyst I

Tanya Snow, Montgomery Administrative Assistant

10 YEARS

Rachelle Greczyn, Dothan Managing Attorney//Call Center Staff Attorney

Rachele Reis, Mobile Staff Attorney

15 YEARS

Austin Gaines, Call Center Paralegal

Laurie McFalls, Director of Operations

20 YEARS

James Chipley, Call Center Managing Attorney

Maceo Kirkland, Montgomery Staff Attorney

Lydia Mann, Call Center Intake Specialist

Doris Pincheon, Call Center Intake Specialist

Patricia Trabanino, Birmingham Administrative Assistant

25 YEARS

Angela Newton, Dothan Administrative Assistant

Beverly Cooper of CNB Bancorp Inc. and Stand Up Mobile Joins LSA Board of Directors

Legal Services Alabama — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 16:21:57 +0000

Beverly M. Cooper, Treasurer & Secretary and Co-Founder of Stand Up Mobile, and chairman of CNB Bancorp Inc., holding company, Mobile, AL, has joined the Legal Services Alabama (LSA) Board of Directors to help guide the organization’s delivery of legal aid services.

LSA is Alabama’s only statewide provider of free civil legal aid services in all 67 counties. The organization’s core service areas include housing, family law and domestic violence, consumer issues, elder law and estate planning, public benefits, and record expungements. In 2025, LSA closed over 13,000 cases across the state, many of which were resolved out of court easing the burden on Alabama’s court system.

Beverly brings a wealth of experience to her new role on the LSA Board. She is the retired President of the Christian Benevolent Funeral Home, a family-owned business of more than 96 years.; chairman of the CNB Bancorp Inc. holding company of Mobile; and the Treasurer, Secretary, and Co-founder of Stand Up Mobile, a non-profit, non-partisan voter education and advocacy organization based in Mobile. She has over five decades’ experience in management, consulting, marketing, and strategic planning.

Beverly has served on the board of numerous local and statewide organizations including Chairman, Mobile County Department of Human Resources Board of Directors and State-wide Chairman. She previously served as President of the Mobile Area Education Foundation (MAEF); President of Mobile County Bicentennial Commission; Board Member of Leadership Alabama; Co-Chair of Yes We Can Education Reform Initiative for the MAEF; Vice Chairman, Board of Directors of the Mobile Museum of Art; U.S. Small Business Administration Advisory Council for the State of Alabama and the National Advisory Council; and member the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.

Beverly’s professional and volunteer work demonstrate a commitment to promoting civic rights and equality in Mobile.

LSA welcomes Beverly Cooper to their Board of Directors and looks forward to the ideas and contributions to be made by Mrs. Cooper.

Rural Summer Corps Fellowship Spotlight: PUBLIC SERVICE IS FOUNDATIONAL

Legal Services Alabama — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 15:10:18 +0000

by: J. Jackson, Communications Manager

As a Cincinnati native Erin Tedtman grew up in an urban setting. Similarly insular to other major cities, the two worlds of “urban” and “rural” rarely meet. Ready access to things like business districts and public transport add to the allure of inner-city living over the suburbs. But surrounding the city, surrounding the suburbs, is the rural expanse small towns call home.

Mysterious to some, romanticized by others, rural living is widely misunderstood.

Unfamiliar with these cultural intricacies, Erin embarked on a journey to deepen her commitment to access to justice by deepening her relationship with the spaces that felt most foreign. Disenchanted by her fellow law students’ desire to immediately plant roots in major metropolises upon graduation, Erin decided on a path of discovery.

“When I learned about the Rural Summer Corps Fellowship I thought it was an interesting space for me. I would learn about another place—a place I probably wouldn’t have ended up otherwise. I applied for a position in the South because it is a place that is often overlooked,” she said.

“I had time to explore and felt I should take advantage of it.”

Through the Equal Justice Works Rural Summer Legal Corps (RSLC), Erin found her route to exploration, and it led to Alabama.

Equal Justice Works partners with Legal Services Corporation (LSC) to “support dedicated law students who want to serve rural communities” through the RSLC program.

Aware of the deep-rooted historical legacy associated with Selma, Erin was drawn to the Black Belt region.

“The root of LSA’s mission, I think, is seen in Selma. This is where we need to be if we really want to fill the justice gap,” she said.

She began to understand lawyering in rural areas as a microcosm of the urban-centered priorities shared by her law school classmates.

“They all want to move to the coasts. If they wanted to go to Alabama I’m sure they would pick a place like Birmingham. They don’t want to go to more rural areas.”

Erin’s challenge to herself turned to facing the legal challenges of working in a law office in a town like Selma. Quickly, she began to meet with the clients where she was able to build a first-person relationship with both residents and the long-term effects of systemic poverty.

“I met 80-year-olds coming in to file bankruptcy. It’s like it just never ends. Truly $200 can change the trajectory of what happens next in their lives,” Erin recounted.

While the vast majority of LSA clients make too little to even qualify for a wage garnishment, consumer issues make up around 15% of LSA’s annual case load. In 2025, over 85% of LSA consumer cases involved bankruptcy or garnishments.

These dire disparities pushed Erin to fully immerse herself in the world of rural legal aid where she began developing courtroom skills while shadowing LSA attorneys.

Surprised by the lackadaisical attitude of debt collection agencies, Erin found that predatory lenders rely on scared and confused clients to pay rather than seek legal counsel. She discovered that frequently the agency wouldn’t even send their own attorney, but rather 3^rd party representation would arrive in court. Unfamiliar with the details of the cases, these lawyers were ill-prepared as legal representatives.

What struck Erin most were the lengths to which a company, like a debt collection agency, would go to extract $200 from a person living with so little.

Selma is housed in a region known as the Black Belt. Named for its rich soil deposits, it is one of the most impoverished areas of the state. It isn’t uncommon for clients to present with debt, with benefits issues, or with a housing crisis.

Homelessness prevention and criminal record expungements were other core service areas that inspired Erin. Knowing that organizations like LSA cannot eradicate the myriad issues that contribute to poverty, Erin was thankful to be part of the fight to close the access to justice gap.

“Just having a brick-and-mortar spot for people to go—I think it is really important. And at least they have the chance to feel heard in this one moment with you. They may not feel that way in any other circumstance, but we can hopefully make them feel supported,” she said.

“It’s a collaborative experience working with clients in any issue area. I didn’t do it on my own—we did it together. It’s our success, not just mine.”

Erin’s time with LSA taught her far more than the ins and outs of civil procedure.

“The first year of law school is famously the worst because it’s all doctrinal and it’s just not fun. And so, coming here, I felt, ‘Okay, this is why I’m in law school,’” she said.

“It’s not because I want to go sit in a classroom for five hours and talk about the law. But to work with people and to see how I can use it to help someone. I think that was very energizing for me.”

Erin’s time with LSA is not the end of her public service training. Her goal now is to maintain similar training opportunities for her remaining semesters of law school. She encourages others to follow her lead.

“These practical experiences, I think that is where you learn the most. It’s the most valuable training. And doing this kind of boots-on-the-groundwork should ground you in the role of a lawyer,” she said.

“Direct client services and public interest work are foundational.”

Education Services at LSA

Legal Services Alabama — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 20:04:16 +0000

It's Back to school time!

Do you have concerns about your student receiving a free and appropriate public education?

LSA offers legal aid services for eligible students dealing with special education issues and disproportionate punishments.

We also offer legal services and guidance to ensure students experiencing homelessness or a disruption to stable and consistent housing are getting a quality education that suits their needs.

Remember! It's a RIGHT and not a favor!

Mobile Veterans’ Clinic with LSC

Legal Services Alabama — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:31:33 +0000

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

2025 LSA Annual Report

Legal Services Alabama — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:25:00 +0000

The Legal Services Alabama 2025 Annual Report is here!

Our latest annual report is now available. Explore the impact of our work over the past year, see how we’ve served our community, and learn more about the progress we’ve made together.

The report highlights key accomplishments, client stories, and the partnerships that helped make our mission possible.

Catch up with the milestones we’ve reached and our work that continues to strengthen access to justice across Alabama.

7th Annual Justice, Fairness, & Hope Awards

Legal Services Alabama — Thu, 14 May 2026 20:35:05 +0000

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

The Advocate: Vol 5, Issue 2

Legal Services Alabama — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:22:53 +0000

The newest issue of Legal Services Alabama’s journal, The Advocate, is now available to read!

In this issue:

John Lewis Fellowship: Focus on Fair Housing

Fearless by Design: Meet the Former Fellows Managing LSA Offices

Case Load Meets Command Mode: Managing Attorney Bootcamp

Spotlight on Special Initiatives: Veterans’ & Heirs’ Property Projects

LSA Heirs’ Property Impact

7th Annual Justice, Fairness, & Hope Awards: Meet the Recipients

From Crisis to Stability: How Legal Aid Pulls Clients Back from the Brink of Disaster

John Lewis Fellows: Fair Housing Resources

Legal Services Alabama — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 20:58:53 +0000

Each year, the LSA John Lewis Legal Fellows are given a civil legal focus to develop on-going project work around.

The current class of ’26 have invested their skills and talents in increasing access to justice through fair housing service and education.

As part of their project work, the Fellows developed a series of fair housing resources designed to expand access to information and empower communities to understand their housing rights.

To ensure these resources reach the people who need them most, the Fellows are organizing a series of community outreach events.

These events will provide opportunities to share the materials directly with residents, answer questions, and connect individuals with legal aid support.

Click each Fair Housing title to read and download the resource document:

Developed by: Andre Cooley

Developed by: Tamonica Jones

Developed by: Christopher Weems

Developed by: Marina Johnston

Developed by: Asia Michael