Andrew Campbell Explains Indy Bar Association's Legal Assistance Program

For almost eight years, the Indianapolis Bar Association has been providing free legal advice to disadvantaged residents of Indianapolis and surrounding communities through its "Ask-a-Lawyer" program, Andrew Campbell of Baker & Daniels told WTHR Channel 13 viewers during the station's "Focus on the Community" feature.

"The Indianapolis Bar Association is a collection of attorneys in Indianapolis and Marion County, and they provide all types of programs for attorneys and also members of the community at large," Campbell told WTHR's Angela Cain in the interview. Recently, some 80 attorneys volunteered to meet face-to-face with residents over a four-hour period at 10 public libraries throughout the city in the "Ask-a-Lawyer" program.

"They (residents) can talk about any legal issues they may have," Campbell said, explaining that topics could include consumer issues, lawsuits, criminal matters, debt collection issues, immigration matters and family law issues like child support. The face-to-face, free advice program is offered by the IBA twice a year - once in April and again in October.

During the interview, Campbell, who co-chairs the IBA's pro bono committee, explained other legal assistance programs where disadvantaged residents can be referred to an attorney for a low or no cost opportunity. Programs include a Legal Line on the second Tuesday of every month and a Bankruptcy Legal Help Line on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. Assistance from the IBA's pro bono committee also includes helping with such matters as low asset wills, estate planning and hospice residents with legal issues, Campbell pointed out.