February 11, 2009

Low-cost Legal Access Center Opens its Doors
Community Lawyers hopes to fill gaps left by legal aid, self-help centers; seeking partnerships to launch programming

BY Allison Jean Eaton
Bulletin Editor

(Excerpt. Contact the Compton Bulletin for the full story.)

COMPTON—Since its incorporation three years ago, a local nonprofit that mentors and encourages young and aspiring lawyers to forgo joining hot-shot firms in lieu of serving low-income, underserved communities has had a vision of taking its mission one step further.

That step was finally taken late last month as Community Lawyers Inc. opened the doors Friday, Jan. 30 to its new Community Legal Access Center. It’s opening celebration attracted roughly 100 guests.

Headquartered at 1216 E. Compton Blvd., the center aspires to tackle the lack of affordable legal services offered in the community.

Picking up the slack left by the Community Legal Services aid center in town and the self-help centers in the courthouse, the center targets individuals, small businesses and nonprofits that don’t qualify for legal aid assistance but are unable to afford market-rate representation.

Those who visit will be able to access assistance on representing themselves in civil legal matters, a computer center where they can prepare their own legal proceedings for nominal rates based on income and volunteer attorneys and other experts who, for a reasonable fee, can answer questions. 

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(Excerpt. Contact the Compton Bulletin for the full story.)