Free legal advice over the phone is available once a month via a program from the Kansas Bar Association and the Topeka Bar Association.
The groups joined forces in 2017 to launch the public service — Call-a-Lawyer — designed to help persons in need of legal advice and information.
The next Call-a-Lawyer will be Thursday, June 11, and will continue to take place on the second Thursday of each month.
Anyone seeking legal advice is encouraged to call 800-928-3111 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Callers have the opportunity to speak to volunteer lawyers who donate their time and expertise to answer questions, and provide legal advice and information.
“There is no charge to talk to one of the lawyers during the Call-a-Lawyer event,” said Pat Byers, director of the KBA Lawyer Referral Service. “The COVID-19 quarantine and restrictions have led to questions in so many areas — evictions, workplace safety, domestic abuse, child welfare, substance abuse — to name but a few. Lower income Kansans and many rural Kansans may not have access to affordable legal assistance.”
The volunteers are members of the KBA and/or the TBA and are able to provide information on many legal issues, including probate, family law (such as child custody, divorce, and adoption), landlord-tenant issues and other matters involving real property and employment (such as wrongful termination, workplace conflicts and employment rights).
“Call-a-Lawyer is a wonderful resource for the community to have access to lawyers that can address legal questions and needs,” said Amanda Kohlman, executive director of the Topeka Bar Association.