Copyright © 2000-2002, Susan K. Sively
Contact the author at kipsively@prodigy.net
All rights are reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatever without the prior written permission of the author.
The information in this book is presented "as is", without warranty, and is offered solely for informational purposes. The author does not intend to offer legal advice to any individual, and cautions the reader against treating the legal commentary in this book as legal advice.
The author disclaims liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage allegedly caused, directly or indirectly, though the use of the information contained in this book.
Your constructive feedback is welcome. To add to, correct or update any of the information in this book, or to order additional copies or reprints, please e-mail the author.
This book is dedicated to those for whom the information it contains is vital.
How this Book is Organized
Introduction
Finding an Attorney
Legal Services: an Introduction
Law School Legal Clinics
Legal Services Corporations:
The Legal Aid Society, The Legal
Services Corporation
Other Legal Services Organizations
Targeted Legal Services by Specialty Area
The Assigned Counsel Plan (18-B)
Pro Bono Programs
Lawyer Referral Services
New York State Attorney General's Office
Pre-Paid Legal Services
Union and other Legal Services Plans
Do-It-Yourself Law
Public Access Law Libraries in New York City
Law Libraries on the Worldwide Web
Alternative Dispute Resolution Resources
Attorney General's Hotlines
Other Hotlines and Helplines
The Green Book
Self-Help Legal Resources on the Worldwide Web
Conclusion
As you probably know, lawyers refer to a person who represents himself by the Latin term pro se. In my experience, there are two types of pro se litigants: those who represent themselves by choice, and those who represent themselves because they have no choice. This book is accordingly divided into two sections: the first section is for those representing themselves because they can't find a lawyer; the second section is for those who choose to represent themselves despite the availability of lawyers.
Probably no lawyer in New York City would dispute that low and moderate income New Yorkers are an under-served legal market. The high cost of private law practice only partly explains the wide gap in legal services. In my opinion, those free and low-cost legal services available in NYC are not as widely-known as they should be -- many are advertised only by word-of-mouth. This book aims to narrow the gap by attempting to list the extensive resources available more comprehensively than they may have been previously and publishing the list on the Worldwide Web as a self-help legal resource.
I intend this book as a reference tool to be used by legal consumers, attorneys, court personnel, social workers, bar associations, and community organizations. I hope that it will not only be used by these groups, but that its use will play a positive role in increasing access for low and moderate income New Yorkers to legal services and information.
This book was not written to solve individual legal problems, but only to help those who need it find legal help. The statements in this book are legal commentary, and should not be construed as legal advice in any individual case.