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Idaho Legal Aid Services is a nonprofit statewide organization dedicated to providing equal access to justice for low income people through quality advocacy and education.

Description:
Idaho Legal Aid Services (ILAS) maintains a statewide presence through offices located in Boise, Caldwell, Coeur d'Alene, Lewiston, Twin Falls, Pocatello, and Idaho Falls. We have a Migrant Farm Worker Law Unit based in the Caldwell office with staff across the state, and an Indian Law Unit based in Boise with staff in Boise and Lewiston.

The Boise Service Office (BSO) and the Caldwell Service Office (CSO) each provide free legal representation and/or advice to low income individuals whose legal problems fall within our scope of practice, and who live within the local service area. Each office is staffed by three attorneys with 2 support staff positions. A managing attorney in each office provides oversight and ensures efficient operation. Attorneys within each office focus on specific legal areas such as: domestic violence divorce, custody, protection orders, landlord/tenant, migrant or public entitlement work. Our work in the Treasure Valley is supplemented by a Senior Legal Hotline for senior citizens, a Domestic Violence Legal Advice Line, and, coming soon, a Fair Housing Hotline. Attorney staff are experts in their fields and are supported by trained, highly skilled support staff. Both offices have staff Spanish speaking staff.

ILAS's Administrative Office consists of an Executive Director, Associate Director, Deputy Director, Administrator, Executive Assistant, and Technology Project Specialist. Administrative staff are responsible for oversight, training, fund-raising, grant administration, technology support, accounting, human relations, policy enforcement, setting case priorities, and other support functions.

History:
Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. (ILAS) is the largest free provider of quality legal services to low income Idahoans. ILAS is a nonprofit Idaho Corporation formed from the merger of Lewis and Clark Legal Services in Lewiston/Clarkston and Western Idaho Legal Aid in Emmett in 1975. By 1976, ILAS had expanded into a statewide law firm with services in Boise, Caldwell, Lewiston, Coeur d'Alene, Twin Falls, Pocatello and Idaho Falls. These offices serve every Idaho city and county.

While ILAS exists to serve the legal needs of all low income Idahoans, the firm has created projects to serve highly vulnerable populations. The Indian Law Unit serves Idaho's first peoples while the Migrant Farmworker's Law Unit serves the state's migrant farmworker community. In 1999, ILAS established a statewide Domestic Violence Legal Advice Line to provide immediate legal assistance to victims of domestic violence and child abuse. The success of the advice line format led to the creation of a statewide Senior Legal Hotline in 2003 to serve rural and low income Idaho seniors who may not have ready access to ILAS offices. A 2006 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development will establish a Fair Housing Hotline to provide legal advice and brief services to Idahoans who may be the victims of housing discrimination in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act.

Contact people:

Linda Johnston, Office Manager, (208) 345-0106, (email) Rod Gere, Managing Attorney, (208) 345-0106, (email) Gale Lacey, Receptionist, (208) 345-0106, (email)

Office fax number: (208) 342-2561

Address:

310 N. 5th St. Boise, ID 83702 (See a map)

Web Site: http://idaholegalaid.org

Directions:

From the incoming connector which turns into Myrtle St. turn left on 5th Street. (Alternately coming from Broadway Avenue, turn left onto Idaho Street, right on 5th Street. We are located midway on the block between Bannock and Jefferson on. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: unknown,   Walk distance (in minutes): unknown   Nearest Bus Stop: unknown, unknown minute walk