AVLE Volunteer Lawyer of the Year Award

Joel D. Johnson of Fort Smith has served as a volunteer (pro bono) attorney for Arkansas Volunteer Lawyers for the Elderly (AVLE) since its inception. Mr. Johnson has stated that helping people is really what this profession is all about and he has helped many people since he began practicing law in 1979. He has also served the legal profession as member and president of the Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel and member of the House of Delegates of the Arkansas Bar Association.

Lt. Governor Bill Halter will present the award at the Sebastian County Bar Association Meeting at 12:00 PM on Monday, December 3 at the Taliano's Italian Restaurant.

CASE ALERTS:

If you are interested in any of the following cases please contact the pro bono coordinator by clicking "I am interested" or click here for more detailed pro bono coordinator contact information for your area.

• Case No: 07E-3048128 - Faulkner County - Guardianship Client is seeking guardianship of his minor grandchildren.  Client’s daughter is the mother of the children and has signed a Consent and Waiver of Summons.  There is also a signed Consent from one of the children’s father.  The other father is unknown. (I am interested)
  
  
• Case No: 07E-103057936 - Greene County - Client needs assistance with holographic will left by fiance.  She has child with the deceased.  After her fiance passed away, his family took keys to vehicle and home and are not allowing her (and the deceased's) child back in the home. (I am interested)
  
  
• Case No: 07E-3048513 - Lonoke County - Guardianship Client is seeking guardianship of her son who has turned 18.  He has cerebral palsy - cannot speak or walk.  There is a supporting letter from his treating physician in support of client’s petition for guardianship. (I am interested)
  
  
• Case No: 07E-103058015 - Mississippi County - Client seeks to divorce husband on the grounds of adultery and physical abuse. Last incident of abuse was a few weeks ago.  She has his current address and place of employment.  Client does not anticipate that this matter will be contested.  There are no children of the marriage, and they have no joint debts/property.  (I am interested)
  
  
• Case No: 07E-105053367 - Phillips County - Client has a judgment and has advanced the cost for a writ of execution.  Judgment debtor is represented.  Client needs someone to help her with issuing a writ of execution.  (I am interested)
  
  
• Case No: 07E-3047896 - Pulaski County - Contracts Client is seeking the return of the money she paid a contractor for repair work on her roof.  Since the repair, the roof continues to leak.  The contractor has returned twice and charged the client for repairs that have not stopped the leaks. (I am interested)
  
  
  
• Case No: 07E-3048494 - Pulaski County - Contracts Client is seeking representation in a breach of contract suit that she filed against a car dealership.  Client was sold a “demonstrator” vehicle, but found out that the vehicle was a demonstrator after it had been returned as a used car.  Client incurred high costs for undisclosed problems and eventually lost her job due to her inability to travel.  The hearing date is set for April 21, 2008, at 1:30pm.  This is possibly a fee generating case. (I am interested)
  
  
• Case No: 07E-3048141 - Pulaski County - Custody - Client was served with petition for custody on September 27, 2007.  Client filed a timely pro se answer.  The petition alleges that client is unstable, which client denies.  The father of the children refused to return the children after his visitation period. (I am interested)
  
  
• Case No: 07E-3048312 - Pulaski County - Collections Client received a Writ of Garnishment for a debt collection.  Client claims that the debt accrued should have been covered by Medicaid.  She was under the coverage of ARKids First and private insurance at the time that service was rendered. (I am interested)
  
  
• Case No: 07E-3048462 - Pulaski County - Collections Client received a summons for collection of a debt that is for services rendered for his wife.  Client said that his wife was covered by Medicare at the time services were rendered. (I am interested)
  
  
• Case No: 07E-3048666 - Pulaski County - Wills & Estates Client said that his wife died on October 19, 2007.  She drafted two wills - client has a copy of the newest will, but decedent’s daughter has a copy of the older will.  He is trying to protect the interest he has and decedent’s daughter is trying to withdraw money from a bank account with only his and decedent’s names on it. (I am interested)
  
  
• Case No: 07E-3048253 - Pulaski County - Divorce
  Client is seeking divorce from abusive husband.  Client and husband have one child together and client is currently expecting another baby.  There is no realty, personalty or debts to divide. (I am interested)
  
  
• Case No: 07E-3047345 - Pulaski County - Divorce
  Client is seeking divorce from abusive husband.  Client and husband have six children.  There is no realty, personalty or debts to adjudicate. (I am interested)
  
  
• Case No: 07E-3048395 - Pulaski County - Divorce
  Client is seeking divorce from abusive husband.  Client’s husband is currently incarcerated in Oklahoma.  There are no children and no realty.  There is a vehicle in dispute. (I am interested)
  
  
• Case No: 07E-3044636 - Pulaski County - Divorce
  Client is seeking divorce from abusive husband.  Client and husband have two children - no personalty or realty to divide. (I am interested)
  
  
• Case No: 07E-3047846 - Pulaski County - Divorce
  Client seeking representation in a divorce action.  Client was served on November 14, 2007.  Client has filed an answer.  There are two children of the parties.  Parties were married in Louisiana and have only lived in Arkansas for the past two years.  There is no realty to divide, but there are debts and personalty to adjudicate. (I am interested)
  
  
• Case No: 07E-3048289 - Pulaski County - Divorce
  Client is seeking divorce from abusive husband.  Client and husband have three children.  There is no realty to divide, but there are debts and personalty to adjudicate.  (I am interested)
  
  
• Case No: 07E-3048669 - White County - Guardianship Client is seeking guardianship of her 79-year old mother.  Client’s mother has a history of falling.  Client’s mother’s physician has written a letter supporting client’s petition for guardianship. (I am interested)
  

Pro Bono Coordinator Contact Information

AVLE – Arkansas Volunteer Lawyers for the Elderly
Catherine Edwards, Director
Toll Free: 1.800.999.2853
Phone: 501.376.9263 Fax: 501.324.2853
Email: AVLEPROG@yahoo.com
Statewide except 8 counties in Central Arkansas

Equal Access to Justice Panel
Susan Purtle, Pro Bono Manager
Toll Free: 1.800.234.3544 Ext. 4301
Phone: 479.442.0600 Fax: 479.442.0603
Email: probono@arlegalaid.org
31 counties in North and East Arkansas

River Valley Volunteer Attorney Project
Janet Dyer, Managing Attorney
Toll Free: 1.800.364.1134
Phone: 479.785.5211 Fax: 479.783.0120
Email: VAP@arkansaslegalservices.org
Crawford, Conway, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Pope, Scott, Sebastian and Yell counties

VOCALS - Volunteer Organization of
Center for Arkansas Legal Services
Angie Moore, Pro Bono Coordinator
Toll Free: 1.800.950.5817
Phone: 501.376.3423 Fax: 501.376.3664
Email: ProBono@arkansaslegalservices.org
35 counties in Central and South Arkansas

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