Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society

The Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society (SVLAS) is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free civil legal assistance to low-income families in southwestern Virginia. Established in the early 1970s, SVLAS is recognized as the oldest rural Legal Aid program in Virginia[1][3].

Services

SVLAS offers a wide range of legal services, including:

• Family Law: Assistance with family-related legal matters.
• Domestic Violence: Extensive representation for victims of domestic violence.
• Housing Law: Legal help with evictions, foreclosures, and housing assistance.
• Consumer Law: Assistance with consumer-related issues.
• Public Benefits: Legal support for Social Security matters and other government benefits.
• Disaster Relief: Assistance with legal issues arising from natural disasters[2][3].

Mission

The organization's mission is to champion equal justice for low-income Virginians. It aims to provide high-quality, courteous legal services to those facing serious threats to their personal or family stability[2]. SVLAS emphasizes that access to justice should not depend on income, striving to level the playing field in the legal system[1].

History

Initially starting with two attorneys serving Bland and Smyth Counties, SVLAS has grown significantly over the decades. Today, it serves 17 counties and four cities in southwestern Virginia: Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe Counties, and the cities of Bristol, Galax, Norton, and Radford[1][2].

Operations

SVLAS operates from three field offices across southwestern Virginia. It uses a centralized intake unit to manage applications and provide legal services efficiently. The organization is funded by federal, state, and local sources[3].