The Florida Bar Expands Online Legal Clinic In Response to COVID-19 Outbreak
April 8, 2020
CONTACT: Francine Walker, APR, CPRC, Director of Communications
The Florida Bar
TELEPHONE: 850-561-5762
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. – The Florida Bar has announced the temporary expansion of the Florida Free Legal Answers online legal clinic that will aid qualifying members of the public as they navigate the unforeseen legal impacts that arise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The online clinic, a cooperative effort between The Florida Bar and the American Bar Association (ABA), matches low-income Floridians with licensed attorneys who can answer basic legal questions online confidentially. Inquiries on a variety of subject matters are included, such as landlord/tenant concerns, foreclosure, family law, unemployment and benefits, and debt and bankruptcy.
The temporary increase allows Floridians below the 400% Federal Poverty Level to qualify for Florida Free Legal Answers. At that threshold, qualifying Floridians would include single individuals who make less than $51,040, and a family of four making less than $104,080. The number of questions a user may post annually has also been increased from three to five.
The Florida Bar’s Young Lawyers Division has been actively recruiting attorneys to volunteer for this service and in support of local legal aid organizations, helping to meet consumers’ legal needs during this critical time.
In addition to the online clinic, The Florida Bar offers several resources that can help the public address COVID-19 legal concerns and issues. The Lawyer Referral Service, for example, matches members of the public, who do not have a local lawyer referral service, with the right attorney based on means and needs.
Additionally, The Florida Bar’s consumer guide provides information on who consumers can contact for legal assistance and how to protect legal rights during this pandemic. The information is not a substitute for hiring an attorney, but does provide basic legal information about the relevant topics.
About The Florida Bar
Founded in 1949, The Florida Bar serves the legal profession for the protection and benefit of both the public and all Florida lawyers. As one of the nation’s largest mandatory bars, The Florida Bar fosters and upholds a high standard of integrity and competence within Florida’s legal profession as an official arm of the Florida Supreme Court. To learn more, visit FloridaBar.org.
EDITORS: Please note The Florida Bar is not an association and "Association" is not part of our name. Proper reference is "The Florida Bar." Local bar organizations are properly termed "associations."