Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, Inc.

Overview

Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, Inc. (DVLS) is a non-profit organization established in 1981 by the Delaware State Bar Association. Its mission is to provide quality pro bono legal services to low-income Delawareans with meritorious civil legal problems.

History and Purpose

DVLS was founded as a response to severe cutbacks in the federally funded Legal Services Corporation. The organization aims to fill the gap in legal services for indigent individuals by leveraging volunteer attorneys.

Areas of Legal Assistance

DVLS assists clients in various areas of civil law, including:

• Consumer Law: Assisting clients with consumer-related issues such as debt and credit problems.
• Debt/Credit/Bankruptcy: While DVLS may not handle bankruptcy cases directly (referring them to Legal Services Corporation of Delaware), it provides assistance in related consumer issues.
• Disability Law: Providing legal support for persons with disabilities.
• Elder Law: Addressing legal issues affecting the elderly.
• Family & Juvenile Law: Specifically focusing on family law matters for victims of domestic violence, such as custody, visitation, and protection from abuse orders. Divorce assistance is limited to cases involving domestic violence and does not include property division or alimony disputes.
• Housing Law: Primarily through assistance with landlord-tenant matters, though referrals are made to other organizations for specific types of housing cases.
• Life Planning: Including wills, powers of attorney, and advance healthcare directives.
• Personal Injury Defense: Providing defense in personal injury cases for eligible clients.

Populations Served

DVLS serves a diverse range of populations including:

• Domestic Violence Victims
• Elderly
• Low-Income Individuals
• Military/Veterans
• Persons with Disabilities

Volunteer Opportunities

The organization offers opportunities for:

• Law School Clinics: Collaborations with law schools to provide hands-on legal experience.
• Law Students: Students can participate in pro bono activities under the supervision of experienced attorneys.
• Lawyers: Legal professionals can volunteer their time to assist clients.
• Mentors and Senior Lawyers: Experienced attorneys can mentor newer lawyers or participate directly in cases.

Pro Bono Support

DVLS provides:

• Malpractice Insurance for volunteers.
• Training and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits: Volunteers can receive free CLE seminars and credits for participating.
• Mentoring and Supervision: Ensuring that volunteers receive the support needed to handle cases effectively.

Accessibility

The organization ensures accessibility by providing interpretation services for individuals with language barriers and accommodations for those with physical disabilities.