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.

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. 

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.

Legal Assistance for Women

To request a LAW consultation:

Click below to pay the $12.00 consultation fee.

Please download and complete the form, then email it to Brielle Smith at bsmith@ncjwessex.org.

When we receive your payment and application, one of our LAW program volunteers will contact you to schedule your consultation. 

Questions:  Contact the CFW at 973.994.4494 or centerforwomen@ncjwessex.org 

“I want to make a difference in my community by volunteering, leading, organizing, contributing.
Where else can I do so much and have so much fun? NCJW/Essex suits me perfectly.”