Interfaith Legal
Advice Clinic

Third Tuesday
5:30pm, registration

The Interfaith Legal Clinic at Andrews House has been the source of free legal advice to residents of Delaware County and the surrounding areas for nearly six years.  In a world where our legal system becomes more complex each year, there are many persons who cannot afford fee-based access to a lawyer’s advice and counsel.  So far, 81 clients have used the Interfaith Legal Clinic this year – a pace over 25% higher compared to the same period last year.  The uptick in usage is most certainly related to the economy.   Declining family income or unemployment and an increase in fiscal problems (e.g., foreclosure and other credit matters) is a most unwelcome linkage.

Like many things at Andrews House, the Legal Clinic only works because of selfless volunteers.  Each monthly Clinic begins with Dave Hejmanowski, Andrews House Board member and magistrate at Juvenile Court, sending out the call to local attorneys to provide service.  Some of our attorneys, e.g., Wayne Sheppard and Denise Mirman, drive up from Columbus.  No one is more faithful than Delaware’s Doug Warnock who has only missed one Clinic since its inception.  Other regulars include Kevin Pelanda, Mike Hoague, and Joe Schmansky.The Clinic occurs the third Tuesday of each month.  April Nelson arrives at Andrews House at 5:30 p.m. and does a brief intake interview with each client.  She also brings homemade cookies and brownies to make the client wait time more tolerable.  The attorneys arrive at 6:00 for a huddle in which client needs and attorney expertise are matched.  Soon thereafter, the attorneys meet individually with clients until everyone has been seen.  It usually takes about two hours to accommodate all the clients.  Client satisfaction is high.  With the Legal Aid Society offices in Columbus and Marion swamped and unable to respond quickly, the good work of the Interfaith Legal Clinic takes on added importance.  Noteworthy, too, is that our volunteer attorneys are already doing pro bono work in their own practices, so they are really going the extra mile to serve our community.  Hats off to these great volunteers!