Each month at local public libraries in the First Judicial Circuit, volunteer attorneys are working to help self-represented litigants through the Lawyer in the Library program. With eight locations across the Southern Illinois region, free legal advice is available nearby.
The Lawyer in the Library program provides patrons needing help with a legal issue the opportunity to sit down with an attorney for a private, one-on-one, 20-minute session, and
receive advice or help with legal documents. There is no fee but
pre-registration is required at most locations. On the date of your session, check in at the library registration desk and bring paperwork pertaining to your legal question or situation, if applicable.
For more information about the program, or to pre-register to speak to an attorney, you may call one of the following participating libraries:
• Anna, IL – Stinson Memorial Public Library, 618-833-2521
o Attorney Gene Turk
• Carbondale, IL – Carbondale Public Library, 618-457-0354
o Attorneys Christine Heins and Gene Turk
• Carterville, IL – Anne West Lindsey District Library, 618-985-3298
o Attorney Winter Campanella
• Harrisburg, IL – Harrisburg District Library, 618-253-7455
o Attorneys Nina Brown and Kelly Phelps
• Marion, IL – Marion Carnegie Library, 618-993-5935
o Attorneys Michael Hampleman and Elisha Sanders
• Mounds, IL – Mounds Public Library, 618-745-6610 (quarterly sessions, walk-in only)
o Attorney Julian Valdes
• Metropolis, IL – Metropolis Public Library, 618-524-4312 (quarterly sessions)
o Attorney Julian Valdes
• Vienna, IL – Vienna Carnegie Public Library, 618-658-5051
o Attorney Michael Hampleman
Thank you to the following for their support of this program: Chief Judge William J. Thurston, First Circuit Judges and Circuit Clerks, Volunteer Attorneys, Library Directors, Library Program Coordinators, and other library staff members.
Each
Lawyer in the Library program is initially launched with a Self-Represented Litigant/Access to Justice Improvement Grant funding through the Access to Justice Division,
Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. The programs continue with each Volunteer Attorney coordinating with the Library and the Office of the Chief Judge, Brenda Sprague, Administrative Assistant and ATJ Grant Coordinator.
www.firstcircuitil.org