MLSA staff wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving and shares what we are thankful for: Opportunity to serve our clients in ways that not only make a difference in the clients' lives but also strengthens our communities. Work which helps make the world a more just place for all beings — together with a …
MLSA to Develop Comprehensive No-Cost Legal Services for Victims of Crime
Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA), in partnership with the Montana Board of Crime Control (MBCC), will implement the Vision 21 Victim Legal Assistance Network (Network), providing comprehensive, wraparound, no-cost legal services for victims of crime through a coordinated network of providers. The Network will assess crime victims’ legal needs across the state, including on tribal …
MLSA Wins Commuter Challenge
MLSA's Missoula office has won Missoula's "Commuter Challenge" in the small non-profit category for the second year in a row. The challenge, a week-long event encouraging people to adapt sustainable forms of commuting to work, is sponsored by Missoula in Motion. Way to go Missoula MLSA!
MLSA Holds Legal Clinic for Remote Clients Using Computer Tablets
MLSA recently held a clinic using computer tablets that allowed an MLSA attorney located in Missoula to give “face-to-face” legal advice to clients in another community. MLSA staff attorney Diana Garrett and each clinic participant used specially formatted tablets to discuss the participant’s case. Ms. Garrett and the participants were able to view and speak …
New MLSA Pro Bono Program Coordinator
MLSA is pleased to announce that Angie Wagenhals is MLSA’s full-time pro bono coordinator. Angie has worked with MLSA since 2011 as a program assistant with pro bono coordination duties, but now will dedicate all her time to support pro bono and help expand pro bono statewide. Among Angie's many duties are expanding legal clinics …
MLSA Attorneys Honored as Champions of Justice
MLSA is pleased to announce that MLSA attorneys Bob LaRoche and Amy Hall have been honored with the Montana Justice Foundation's (MJF) Champions of Justice awards. Also honored are several individuals nominated by MLSA for their work with MLSA’s pro bono efforts, including Deborah Anspach, Gary Connelly, Jane Cowley, Jessica Fehr, Shannon Hathaway, Diane Kaatz, …
MLSA Attorneys Admitted to Fort Belknap Bar
MLSA attorneys Jen Hill-Hart and Joe Hardgrave were recently admitted to the Fort Belknap Tribal Bar. Ms. Hill-Hart is also a member of the bar of the Chippewa-Cree at Rocky Boy and Mr. Hardgrave is a member of the bars of the Crow and Northern Cheyenne. Both are also admitted to the State Bar of …
MLSA Shares Expertise on Providing Access to Justice through Technology
Alison Paul, MLSA Executive Director, recently participated in a panel discussion in Austin, Texas, on how technological innovations can facilitate access to justice. MLSA, known nationwide as a leader in legal aid technological innovation, participated in the panel to share information and practices towards the goal of increasing access to justice in Montana and the …
Low Income Taxpayer Clinic At Tax Help Day
MLSA's Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) recently attended the Tax Help Day event in Helena, along with other tax-related service providers. At the event, LITC presented information about LITC and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to both individuals and service providers, as well as made brochures, flyers, and palm cards available to participants. LITC …
Legal Services for Homeless Montanans
MLSA attorneys and AmeriCorps members recently attended the Billings Community Connect and Missoula Homeless Connect events, providing legal information to approximately 300 people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. MLSA addressed attendees’ legal needs by providing legal topic brochures, applications, and business cards featuring information for both the MLSA HelpLine and MontanaLawHelp.org. Further, MLSA …