SOUTHERN ILLINOIS – 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

          Attorney Gene Turk – next session February 21

• Carbondale, IL – Carbondale Public Library, 618-457-0354

          Attorneys Christine Heins and Gene Turk – next session February 22

• Carterville, IL – Anne West Lindsey District Library, 618-985-3298

          Attorney Winter Campanella – next session February 26

• Harrisburg, IL – Harrisburg District Library, 618-253-7455

          Attorneys Nina Brown and Kelly Phelps – next session February 21

• Marion, IL – Marion Carnegie Library, 618-993-5935

          Attorneys Michael Hampleman and Elisha Sanders – next session February13

• Metropolis, IL – Metropolis Public Library, 618-524-4312 (quarterly sessions)

          Attorney Julian Valdes – next session March 6

• Mounds, IL – Mounds Public Library, 618-745-6610 (quarterly sessions, walk-in only)

          Attorney Julian Valdes – Next Session March 8, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Vienna, IL – Vienna Carnegie Public Library, 618-658-5051

          Attorney Michael Hampleman – Next session February 16

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.

More info: www.firstcircuitil.org