Legal Assistance for Women (LAW)

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The Legal Assistance for Women program (LAW) provides women who have legal issues a consultation with an attorney for a nominal $12 fee. (inquire about fee reduction). One-time, individual consultations are confidential and tailored to suit your special needs relating to family law, bankruptcy matter and elder law concerns.

What happens at a consultation

The primary purpose of a LAW consultation is to provide direction as to how to access the legal system. More specifically, an attorney may answer questions about:

The law as it applies to your situation.
The validity of your particular problem.
Whether or not it would be advisable for you to retain counsel and/or where to go if you cannot afford an attorney.

Your visit with an attorney should be viewed as an initial step in addressing your concerns. This ONE-TIME ONLY consultation may not be able to provide you with a resolution to your particular problem.

LAW provides clients with a confidential 30-minute consultation with a volunteer attorney to determine how to approach a legal concern. Appointments must be scheduled in advance. At this time, all appointments are conducted virtually.

Fee and Application

All LAW appointments require a $12.00 fee, and APPOINTMENTS WILL NOT BE MADE WITHOUT PAYMENT OF THE FEE. A fee reduction may be available. Please inquire if needed.

This fee, which is non-refundable and non-transferable, reserves a 30-minute, ONE-TIME ONLY consultation.

You must also submit an Application Form. Please download and complete the form, then email it to Brielle Smith at bsmith@ncjwessex.org.

Once we receive your payment and application, a LAW program volunteer will contact you to schedule your consultation.

Please contact the NCJW/Essex Center for Women at 973-994-4994 or centerforwomen@ncjwessex.org.

Volunteer for the LAW Program

LAW Assistants are volunteer representatives of the NCJW/Essex Center for Women who contact clients and connect them with the volunteer attorneys for a consultation.

We are also seeking attorneys to work directly with our clients. On-the-job training for volunteer attorneys is available.

The LAW program is currently operating entirely remotely, primarily via phone.

Contact the NCJW/Essex Center for Women at 973.994.4994 to volunteer for our LAW program.

Scheduling a Consultation:

The primary purpose of a LAW consultation is to provide direction as to how to access the legal system. More specifically, an attorney may answer questions about:

The law as it applies to your situation.
The validity of your particular problem.
Whether or not it would be advisable for you to retain counsel and/or where to go if you cannot afford an attorney.

All LAW appointments require a $12.00 fee, and APPOINTMENTS WILL NOT BE MADE WITHOUT PAYMENT OF THE FEE.

This fee, which is non-refundable and non-transferable, reserves a 30-minute, ONE-TIME ONLY consultation. Upon receipt of your application, we will call you to schedule your appointment.