Two representatives from the Eastside Legal Assistance Program delivered a 45-minute presentation to the Capitol Hill Sound Reentry Team on October 29. Staff attorney Dorothy Leggett and Community Engagement Manager Chris Lovings talked about the wide range of free legal services that are provided by ELAP. These services and programs serve low-income, non-English speaking, documented and undocumented, and marginalized clients, many of whom have issues with housing, domestic violence and healthcare. ELAP is staffed with volunteer attorneys who offer consultation, provide information and give referrals to appropriate organizations to address specific client needs. ELAPprovides this civil legal aid to residents of East, Northeast, and Southeast King County. They also provide legal aid to survivors of domestic violence throughout all of King County.
How Legal Advice Clinics Work
ELAP operates free advice clinics that are located in Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah, Bellevue, Renton, and Kent. Individuals receive one-on-one appointments with attorneys to address civil legal issues. General clinics cover civil non-family law issues and specialty clinics cover family law, domestic violence issues, and immigration. Appointments are required.
Domestic Violence Legal Assistance
ELAP’s full-time staff attorneys provide brief services to domestic violence survivors and their children. This assistance may include advice, drafting pleadings, drafting documents for discovery, coaching for court appearances, development of legal strategies, assistance in obtaining exhibits and supportive documents, providing appropriate referrals, and representation in court. Attorneys work closely with other community agencies to ensure survivors receive coordinated services, including safety planning. These cases are accepted only by referral from other agencies.
ELAP will also provide a presentation to the Kent Forensics Team on November 4.
For more information about the Sound Guest Speakers Series, contact Diversity.Inclusion@sound.health.
For more information: Visit the ELAP website.
