TMLG
provides limited pro bono legal services for individuals who qualify. The
services are provided on Thursday afternoons as set forth
below.
Who
qualifies for TAP?
Individuals
who have been impacted significantly by the current recession or who can
demonstrate a financial need for pro bono services, including: 1) loss of a job
or spouse's loss of job; 2) significant loss of assets or pending insolvency;
3) unable to afford the retainer fee, i.e., no liquidity or no ability to
borrow. Clients must also have a case pending in San Diego County
Superior Court or be residents of San
Diego County.
What
services are provided?
Advice
and counsel via e-mail, telephone consultation and limited office
consultation. Clients will be screened initially to ensure there is no
conflict of interest with any TMLG current or past clients. After the
screening has been completed and the clients have signed a retainer agreement,
they will have the opportunity to email questions to be answered by a TMLG
attorney. TMLG attorneys can then make the determination of whether an
answer can be provided by reply email or whether a scheduled telephone or
office meeting should be arranged for the next available Thursday
afternoon.
How
is a TAP client different from a non-TAP client?
Usually
a client retains an attorney to represent his or her interests in litigation
proceedings. The attorney is the official attorney of record. The
attorney's name and contact information is on all court documents, with the
court communicating directly with the attorney. The attorney also
communicates directly with the other party's attorney.
However,
a TAP client is considered self represented by the court system and responsible
for submitting all pleadings, making necessary court appointments, adhering to
deadlines and complying with the court's requests for documentation, etc.
The TMLG attorney will usually not communicate directly with the opposing
attorney or with the opposing party.
What
are the TAP Program Goals?
In
the past, TMLG has represented pro bono clients in the traditional sense as the
official attorney of record. Unfortunately, a substantial amount of time
in a divorce case can be wasted in a variety of ways sometimes the opposing
attorney will churn a case by creating unnecessary litigation; the court system
is sometimes slow and ineffective; clients can be stubborn, emotional or change
their minds frequently, etc. The TAP program seeks to use TMLG attorneys
in the most efficient way; by focusing on educating and advising the client on
how to obtain optimum results within the San Diego County
family court system.
Disclaimer:
The material herein is intended for
informational purposes only and is not legal advice.
Transmission of the information is not intended to create, and receipt does not
constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
Internet subscribers and online readers should not act upon this information
without seeking professional counsel.