Legal Action of Wisconsin and BBB Serving Wisconsin: Legal Action, BBB partnering to improve access to justice

Contact:

Andrea Gage

920-432-4645

alg@legalaction.org

Appleton, Wis.— On April 3, 2017, attorneys from Legal Action will launch a legal intake site at the Northeast Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Serving Wisconsin. The intake site, which will be held on the first Monday of every month, will provide low-income Outagamie County residents with a convenient location where they can speak to lawyers about civil legal problems, and retain representation if they qualify.

Legal Action, a nonprofit law firm with offices in Green Bay, Oshkosh, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, and Racine, identified Outagamie County and the surrounding area as having an urgent need for greater representation. The nonprofit, which already holds intakes at the Harbor House Domestic Abuse Center and Homeless Connections, both in Appleton, is partnering with the BBB to bring its services to even more residents in the area.

“At Legal Action, we are dedicated to ensuring equal justice for low-income people in every corner of our state, and we believe distance should not be a barrier to seeking civil legal aid,” said Christina Davis, managing attorney for Legal Action’s Green Bay office. “Civil legal problems have a critical impact on those in need in Outagamie County, and we are sending our lawyers directly into the community to help.”

Legal Action’s work prevents people from going hungry and from becoming homeless, and helps family violence and elder abuse victims become safe and independent. Legal Action’s attorneys help residents obtain and maintain public benefits such as income support and medical insurance. The firm’s lawyers also assist clients in removing fee-based suspensions from their driver’s licenses. Legal Action has hundreds of active volunteer attorneys who supplement, enhance, and support staff attorneys’ case work.

The BBB has been helping people make smarter decisions for more than 100 years. The BBB educates consumers, and sets ethical standards for businesses. The BBB Serving Wisconsin counts several law firms among its thousands of accredited businesses, and the organization is pleased to advance the effort to provide equal justice to all Wisconsin residents.

“BBB and Legal Action have a common interest in helping our communities,” said Jim Temmer, president/CEO of BBB Serving Wisconsin. ““The BBB helps people in need, and Legal Action is a perfect complement to our services. This is a great partnership that provides legal access to people who need it.”

To ensure that attorneys have ample time to speak to those seeking civil legal aid, residents are asked to schedule appointments in advance by calling the BBB Northeast Regional Office at (920) 734-4352. Callers will be asked to provide detailed information about their income and household size. For more information on Legal Action’s services, please visit www.legalaction.org.