I’ve been going on and on over the course of this fall semester pointing out times when a social worker may need to find their client a lawyer. I’ve provided links and told you what courts your clients’ case should be heard in but what I’ve failed to mention  (probably because it pains me to do so) is just how incredibly difficult it can be to simply find your client representation. Lawyers are expensive. Unfortunately, most of the punchlines of those all too familiar lawyer jokes are rooted in truth. Its a rare occasion to have a client who can afford to pay a lawyer hundreds of dollars an hour because really who can? Its on account of this that the organizations that provide free legal aid are so over taxed. Their resources are limited and accessing them for our client can be a challenge. As someone who does intake for one such organization, I thought I might be in a position to give you some strategic tips to increase the chances that your client attain free attorney services::

• First, do the unthinkable and MAKE FRIENDS WITH A LAWYER. I’m kidding. You don’t have to be friends but honestly, make a connection, get familiar. The project that I work on has several social worker “friends” to whom we refer clients when they need help with applying for benefits  or if  they are in need of counseling. In turn, when the social workers have clients who need assistance with legal matters, they refer them to us and to the best of our ability, we make them a priority. We do this mostly because we expect the same from them. Its the kind of relationship that we wouldn’t want in our personal lives, one built entirely on tit-for-tat transactions but its mutually beneficial for all clients and that’s really all that matters.

• Advise your clients to be forthcoming with information during the intake procedure. I know, one has every right to be wary of a stranger asking very personal questions but, in this case, they have to open up. Warn them prior to their call that they will be asked for personal information. For example when I conduct an  intake, I have to get information like social security numbers, employment history, financial status, assets, abuse history, etc. Its a lot of information but I’m not asking to be voyeuristic. Its pertinent to the case or it has to be collected to retain our funding. Intake is the first time we encounter a potential client and impressions are important when resources are so limited. It just makes more sense to take five cases of people who are responsible and organized than to take one case where the client is not cooperative.

• If your client is already in court, help them to determine procedurally where the case is. Have them gather all their court documents (anything they have filed, been served with or been given by the judge). Make sure they offer to send these documents to the person doing the intake.  If the intake worker wants them, make sure the papers are sent in a timely manner. A lawyer can’t advise your client about their case without all the case information. If your client isn’t sure whats happening in the case, look it up with them on Ecourts using the index number or their name.

• Lastly and maybe most importantly, shop around. Your client should call all the legal aid organizations in their area. Go through the intake process with everyone, no matter how tedious. Call the hotline numbers over and over again until you get through. Don’t just leave arbitrary messages on random extensions, tell them to be sure to talk to someone in the appropriate unit of the organization.  Its all really comes down to timing. Maybe one organization will have a full caseload when your client reaches them, maybe the next one won’t. Don’t let your client put all their eggs in one basket.

Its a precarious game, for sure. Obtaining free legal services in the midst of extreme budget cuts from the government may not be easy, I won’t lie to you. Luckily for our clients though, they have us as teammates to develop strategic game plans with and, who knows. maybe our support and assistance will be the edge they need to successfully “win” representation.