Economic troubles have more families seeking legal advice, for everything from foreclosures to filing bankruptcy and domestic violence. The problem is many people can't afford to pay for an attorney.
Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada has been helping low income families for 50 years. They used to be called Clark County Legal Services.
The sagging economy is increasing demand for their help. So Thursday night they are kicking off a fundraising campaign to expand services and get money to help more families in need of legal advice.
The fundraiser will be held at the Springs Preserve from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
For the last three years Susan Filon and a team of lawyers with the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada have faced off in court rooms, fighting for victims of domestic violence and fighting for people like Brittney Begeron.
In 2003, a man and woman entered her home and began stabbing her. The attackers claimed they wanted revenge because Brittney's mom sold them salt instead of methamphetamine. For five years legal aid lawyers fought to get Brittney placed into a new home.
"After a lifetime of being left alone and being paralyzed by an attack and with has her sister killed before her eyes, she felt safer with a new family," said Executive Director Barbara Buckley.
A team of lawyers fight cases for low income families and children that can't afford to pay for an attorney. Buckley says calls for legal help increases everyday and the sagging economy is to blame, "Bankruptcies are through the roof, people with payday loan problems, domestic violence is up, you name it. Across the board, we are seeing the effects of our economy."
Lawyers like Filon pass up opportunities at other law firms to help those who need a hand up. Many of them volunteer their time and take cases free of charge, but the increase in demand has the staff stretched thin.
"We have to keep working and need more people to take pro bono cases so we can provide more services," said Filon.
The key to helping more families get access to justice will depend on how much money the nonprofit group brings in. In order to expand their services, legal aid will hold a fundraising event Thursday night at the Springs Preserve.
They are hoping to raise money for a new building to meet the growing need. They also want to double the amount of attorney's working and volunteering in their officers by the year 2021.
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Lawyers with the Legal Aid Center have faced off in court rooms, fighting for victims of domestic violence and fighting for people like Brittney Begeron.
