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Ask-a-Lawyer event set for next month

Mar 24, 2022 | 11:11 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge Legal Guidance will once again host its Ask-A-Lawyer event next month.

Residents who have any legal questions or who are seeking advice have the opportunity to discuss those topics with a local lawyer over the phone, for free.

Ask-a-Lawyer is scheduled to take place over two days, on Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9.

Community Program Manager Kathryn Linder said those taking part can expect to be able to speak with a lawyer for about 30 minutes and this year, there are about 10 to 12 volunteer lawyers offering their expertise. Each volunteer has about five to six open consultation spots.

“Anybody can come in and ask legal questions, get some information and advice and decide, do they want to proceed with this civil claim, what are their rights with this landlord or in a divorce, whatever their question is. It gives them an opportunity, without that two-or-three hundred, or $400 consultation, to ask that question and decide then if they want to proceed.”

She said it’s also an ideal opportunity for clients searching for legal representation to potentially find their new lawyer. Linder remarked, “maybe you like the guy you’re talking to at the Ask-A-Lawyer event and can hire him.”

Poster for the event. (Supplied by Kathryn Linder)

The event is supported by Lethbridge Lawyers and appointments must be pre-booked.

Those hoping to take part can call Lethbridge Legal Guidance at 403-380-6338 to complete an intake process, which includes providing contact information and details on what they would like to ask the volunteer lawyer.

Linder said appointments should be made before April 4, in order for staff to have adequate time “to run conflict checks with the volunteers, [and] to schedule everybody.”

“We can take calls right up to the day before but it gets really complicated because we’re sending stuff to lawyers and they need to confirm that yes, they can see that person and do their own research and prepare and stuff too, for the half hour. They want to be ready to give the best advice.”

Linder said participants can complete the intake process in-person but doing so over the phone is the preferred method. Ask-A-Lawyer is a bi-annual event.