There is a new, statewide method of delivering pro bono advice to the public. The Indiana Bar Foundation and the Indiana Pro Bono Commission have worked with their Tennessee counterparts to bring online a system for providing legal advice to the public.
“Think of it as a ‘Talk to a Lawyer’ program in which you can participate from any Internet-enabled computer, smartphone or tablet device,” said Charles R. Dunlap, executive director, Indiana Bar Foundation.
Attorneys can register at www.indianalegalanswers.org to answer questions from low-income Hoosiers. The “client” will register on the website and submit a question by email through the website. Your response is offered confidentially by logging on to the same system. Attorneys may have up to three exchanges with the client on a specific question.
Attorneys who register are covered by the malpractice insurance of the pro bono provider in their district and may indicate the number or type of cases they are willing to respond to. For attorneys, you may log on to respond to questions anytime—day or night—to assist a client. This system allows the client to travel no farther than a computer to receive high-quality legal advice and direction. For more information about INLegalAnswers, visit www.indianalegalanswers.org or discuss it with your district pro bono plan administrator.
The Indiana Bar Foundation appreciates the assistance of the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services and the information technology staff and management at Barnes & Thornburg LLP for donated programming assistance to make this method for pro bono advice available to the public.
Editor’s Note
This article was originally published in the April 2013 issue of Res Gestae and re-printed here with the permission of Editor, Susan J. Ferrer. We want our judges to be aware of this service as another potential source of help for self-represented litigants.