Legal Aid Society of Louisville
Encyclopedia
Legal Aid Society, Inc., originally incorporated as Legal Aid Society of Louisville, is a non-profit legal aid
organization based in Louisville, Kentucky
. One of four legal aid programs in Kentucky
, it serves Jefferson County
(Louisville Metro) and the fourteen surrounding counties of Breckinridge
, Bullitt
, Grayson
, Hardin
, Henry
, LaRue
, Marion
, Meade
, Nelson
, Oldham
, Shelby
, Spencer
, Trimble
, and Washington
.
The Legal Aid Society primarily represents individuals under 125% of the poverty line (although exceptions can be made up to 200% of the poverty line). They also can represent individuals over the age of 60, even if they do not meet income qualifications.
While Legal Aid is allowed to represent clients in all civil cases, its main areas of advocacy are: landlord-tenant, family law, foreclosures, consumer, government benefits, community development, bankruptcy, grandparents rights, special education advocacy, assistance for individuals with HIV/AIDS, small claims, homeless rights and tenant counseling. In 2007 they assisted over 4500 individuals.
in 1876 "to render legal aid and assistance, gratuitously, to those of German birth, who may appear worthy thereof, but who from poverty are unable to procure it." Chicago
's Ethical Culture Society formed the Bureau of Justice in 1888, which sought to provide legal services to all poor persons. This, according to a chronology of the history of legal services, was the first true legal aid organization.
In 1896, the New York society amended its charter, dropping the word "German" to become "The Legal Aid Society," and in 1899 it opened three branch offices. Following these pioneers, legal aid societies were organized in Boston
(1900), Philadelphia (1902), and Cleveland (1905).
The Legal Aid Society of Louisville followed this tradition of public service as it spread across the country and on December 15, 1921 opened its doors for the first time. The original incorporators of the Legal Aid Society, included Mrs. Alfred Brandeis, sister-in-law of Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis
, and Mr. John G. Heyburn. In 1928 the Volunteer Lawyer Program was established to help assist private attorneys in providing pro-bono legal services. In 1975, the Community Development program was established to assist in providing legal services to local non-profit organisations. In 1978 the program was expanded from Jefferson County to assist the 14 surrounding counties. In 1992 a special program was developed to assist individuals living with HIV/ AIDS in the Louisville Metro community. The organization adopted its current name in 1980.
The organization was led for 30 years (from 1975–2005) by Dennis Bricking, who during his tenure was honored with the Louisville Bar Association’s Lawyer of the Year and the American Bar
Association’s John Minor Wisdom Public Service and Professionalism Award.
Notable Legal Aid alumni include the founders of Hawley-Cooke bookstore; numerous Kentucky judges, including Denise Clayton who was the first African American woman to be appointed to the Kentucky Court of Appeals; and David Friedman who successfully argued the McCreary County v. ACLU case before the United States Supreme Court.
, the Commonwealth of Kentucky
, the United Way, IOLTA funds, the Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government and numerous other grants and donations. The Legal Aid Society also employees a fellow, who specializes in domestic violence advocacy who is employed with funds from the law firm of Wyatt, Tarrant and Combs. They also have a program with the law magnet program at Louisville Central High School and work with the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
at the University of Louisville
.
Legal aid in the United States
Legal aid in the United States appeared as early as the 1870s, but for the most part, the U.S. legal aid system remained piecemeal and underfunded until well into the 20th century....
organization based in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. One of four legal aid programs in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, it serves Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 693,604 people, 287,012 households, and 183,113 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 305,835 housing units at an average density of...
(Louisville Metro) and the fourteen surrounding counties of Breckinridge
Breckinridge County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 18,648 people, 7,324 households, and 5,309 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 9,890 housing units at an average density of...
, Bullitt
Bullitt County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 61,236 people, 22,171 households, and 17,736 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 23,160 housing units at an average density of...
, Grayson
Grayson County, Kentucky
Grayson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1810. As of 2000, the population was 24,053. Its county seat is Leitchfield. The county is named for William Grayson , a Revolutionary War colonel and a prominent Virginia political figure...
, Hardin
Hardin County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 94,174 people, 34,497 households, and 25,355 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 37,673 housing units at an average density of...
, Henry
Henry County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,060 people, 5,844 households, and 4,330 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 6,381 housing units at an average density of...
, LaRue
LaRue County, Kentucky
LaRue County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is included in the Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, the population was 13,373. Its county seat is Hodgenville...
, Marion
Marion County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 18,212 people, 6,613 households, and 4,754 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 7,277 housing units at an average density of...
, Meade
Meade County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,349 people, 9,470 households, and 7,396 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 10,293 housing units at an average density of...
, Nelson
Nelson County, Kentucky
Nelson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2010, the population was 43,437. Its county seat is Bardstown. The county is part of the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
, Oldham
Oldham County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 46,178 people, 14,856 households, and 12,196 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 15,541 housing units at an average density of...
, Shelby
Shelby County, Kentucky
Shelby County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2010, the population was 42,074. Its name is in honor of Isaac Shelby, the first Governor of Kentucky. Its county seat is Shelbyville...
, Spencer
Spencer County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,766 people, 4,251 households, and 3,358 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 4,555 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 97.50% White, 1.13% Black or African American, 0.22% Native...
, Trimble
Trimble County, Kentucky
Trimble County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 8,125. Its county seat is Bedford. The county is named for Robert Trimble. Trimble is a prohibition or dry county. It is part of the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–IN Metropolitan Statistical...
, and Washington
Washington County, Kentucky
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 10,916. Its county seat is Springfield. The county is named for George Washington. Washington County was the first county formed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky when it reached statehood...
.
Advocacy
Under Kentucky law, nonprofit legal services agencies such as the Legal Aid Society are only allowed to represent needy clients in civil cases. Needy clients in criminal cases are eligible for representation by the Department of Public Advocacy, an agency under the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.The Legal Aid Society primarily represents individuals under 125% of the poverty line (although exceptions can be made up to 200% of the poverty line). They also can represent individuals over the age of 60, even if they do not meet income qualifications.
While Legal Aid is allowed to represent clients in all civil cases, its main areas of advocacy are: landlord-tenant, family law, foreclosures, consumer, government benefits, community development, bankruptcy, grandparents rights, special education advocacy, assistance for individuals with HIV/AIDS, small claims, homeless rights and tenant counseling. In 2007 they assisted over 4500 individuals.
History
The first legal aid organization, the Deutscher Rechts-Schutz Verein (German Legal Aid Society), was incorporated in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1876 "to render legal aid and assistance, gratuitously, to those of German birth, who may appear worthy thereof, but who from poverty are unable to procure it." Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
's Ethical Culture Society formed the Bureau of Justice in 1888, which sought to provide legal services to all poor persons. This, according to a chronology of the history of legal services, was the first true legal aid organization.
In 1896, the New York society amended its charter, dropping the word "German" to become "The Legal Aid Society," and in 1899 it opened three branch offices. Following these pioneers, legal aid societies were organized in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
(1900), Philadelphia (1902), and Cleveland (1905).
The Legal Aid Society of Louisville followed this tradition of public service as it spread across the country and on December 15, 1921 opened its doors for the first time. The original incorporators of the Legal Aid Society, included Mrs. Alfred Brandeis, sister-in-law of Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis
Louis Brandeis
Louis Dembitz Brandeis ; November 13, 1856 – October 5, 1941) was an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States from 1916 to 1939.He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, to Jewish immigrant parents who raised him in a secular mode...
, and Mr. John G. Heyburn. In 1928 the Volunteer Lawyer Program was established to help assist private attorneys in providing pro-bono legal services. In 1975, the Community Development program was established to assist in providing legal services to local non-profit organisations. In 1978 the program was expanded from Jefferson County to assist the 14 surrounding counties. In 1992 a special program was developed to assist individuals living with HIV/ AIDS in the Louisville Metro community. The organization adopted its current name in 1980.
The organization was led for 30 years (from 1975–2005) by Dennis Bricking, who during his tenure was honored with the Louisville Bar Association’s Lawyer of the Year and the American Bar
Association’s John Minor Wisdom Public Service and Professionalism Award.
Notable Legal Aid alumni include the founders of Hawley-Cooke bookstore; numerous Kentucky judges, including Denise Clayton who was the first African American woman to be appointed to the Kentucky Court of Appeals; and David Friedman who successfully argued the McCreary County v. ACLU case before the United States Supreme Court.
Funding
The Legal Aid Society receives funding from the Legal Services CorporationLegal Services Corporation
The Legal Services Corporation is a private, non-profit corporation established by the United States Congress. It seeks to ensure equal access to justice under the law for all Americans by providing civil legal assistance to those who otherwise would be unable to afford it...
, the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, the United Way, IOLTA funds, the Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government and numerous other grants and donations. The Legal Aid Society also employees a fellow, who specializes in domestic violence advocacy who is employed with funds from the law firm of Wyatt, Tarrant and Combs. They also have a program with the law magnet program at Louisville Central High School and work with the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
The Louis D. Brandeis School of Law is the law school of the University of Louisville. Established in 1846, it is the oldest law school in Kentucky and the fifth oldest in the country in continuous operation. The law school is named after Justice Louis Dembitz Brandeis, who served on the Supreme...
at the University of Louisville
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
.