April 21, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kate Coscarelli
732-937-7548
NEW BRUNSWICK – Times of crisis give rise to myriad and often novel legal questions. And the New Jersey State Bar Association has always been a partner to the people of the state in times of crisis.
Following Sept. 11, volunteers from the NJSBA staffed clinics in Hudson County for days on end to help the victims of that tragedy. In the weeks following Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy, the NJSBA activated a mass disaster response and provided assistance by phone to members of the communities struggling with legal issues.
The COVID-19 public health crisis is no different.
Now, the NJSBA stands ready to offer help with the launch of NJ Free Legal Answers, an online version of the traditional walk-in clinic where members of the public can pose questions about civil legal challenges they are facing and receive help from a volunteer attorney.
Sign up today to volunteer to help New Jersey residents navigate this crisis.
“The NJSBA is committed to ensuring people have access to the justice system. That is true today more than ever. This year, dozens of our members have given their time generously at Law Day clinics, and I know they will once again rise up and fulfill the mission of helping the public during these unprecedented times,” said NJSBA President Evelyn Padin.
How it works:
NJ Free Legal Answers allow users to post civil legal questions to a secure site. Volunteer lawyers will be able to simply visit the site, login, and see what questions they can tackle. Volunteers will not be overrun with email requests, rather they will be able to check questions people have posed when it works for them.
This is a straightforward way to provide information and basic legal advice, similar to what has happened at the NJSBA Law Day clinics held around the state, but on your own time and at your convenience.
There is no fee for residents to ask questions and no fee for lawyers who wish to volunteer.
Malpractice coverage:
The platform is part of an American Bar Association (ABA) project to help address the justice gap around the country. The ABA provides malpractice coverage for attorneys providing advice through the site.
Signing up to volunteer is easy:
→ Go to NJ.FreeLegalAnswers.org
→ Click on Volunteer Attorney Registration.
→ Read and agree to the Attorney Agreement.
→ Fill out the required registration information.
→ Check your email inbox, follow the directions to activate your account. • If you don’t see anything after a day or so, please check your spam folder!
→ Details about how to take a question will be sent once you are activated and ready to go.
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NJSBA Seeks Volunteer Attorneys to Provide Civil Legal Help to Members of the Public Facing Legal Challenges due to COVID-19
Contact: NJSBA Communications Department
Tel: 732-937-7527
Email: [email protected]