For an attorney referral in Sarasota and Manatee County, following are several options:

THE FLORIDA BAR LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE

The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) provides referrals to attorneys who will conduct an initial half hour client consultation for no more than $25.00. Participating attorneys are required to:

• Submit an extensive application to the service panel;
• Be a member in good standing of The Florida Bar having no pending probable cause complaints;
• Carry professional liability insurance with limits of not less than $100,000.

LRS has also established Low Fee, Elderly, AIDS Law, and Disability Law panels for clients in need. The initial half-hour office consultation for these specialty panels is free.
In conjunction with its existing operator-assisted, toll-free Lawyer Referral Service (1-800-342-8011), The Florida Bar has developed an online Lawyer Referral Service. 

MARTINDALE-HUBBELL LAW DIRECTORY ON LINE

The Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory site is a user-friendly site for those able to pay for legal services as well as an additional source for locating an attorney. Many of the SCBA members are listed with Martindale-Hubbell. www.martindale.com

CITIZEN DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROGRAM

The Citizen Dispute Settlement Program gives individuals the opportunity to resolve their disputes in a neutral and confidential setting.  Participants can avoid court costs and lost time from work by using mediation rather than litigation.  The mediator does not act as a judge or a lawyer; the function of the mediator is to assist the parties involved in a dispute in reaching an agreement, which is then put into writing. 

What kind of disputes can mediation help resolve – auto sales & repairs; collection of accounts; condominium; consumer; employer/employee; family disputes; harassment/threats; landlord /tenant; neighborhood disputes; nuisances; petty theft and property damage.

There is absolutely no charge for services. All County Court, Supreme Court certified volunteer mediators donate their time and expertise to the program. Participation is available to any person who has a complaint against another person that could, but not necessarily would, result in court proceedings.  There is no problem too small or too large for mediation. 
Mediation conferences are scheduled during regular business hours. They are usually scheduled within three weeks.

In Sarasota call 861-7833 and 742-5961 for Manatee office. Click on www.12circuit.state.fl.us for more information. 

LEGAL AID OF MANASOTA (Pro Bono)

Legal Aid handles civil areas of law such as Family Law (including cases with domestic violence or child abuse/neglect), Guardianships, Foreclosures, Advance Directives (55 years or older), Housing Law, Consumer Law, and Probate.

Who is eligible?

• Any person who resides in Sarasota or Manatee County or whose legal problem is located in Sarasota or Manatee County may apply for assistance. Applicants who meet case eligibility guidelines and whose household income and assets are within 150% of the federal poverty guidelines (125% for family law) will be considered.
• Legal Aid of Manasota offers a Pro Se Divorce Clinic for income eligible people who would like to learn how to represent themselves in a divorce proceeding.  This clinic is taught by attorneys, and forms are provided.
• Seniors, age 55 and over, or the terminally ill may qualify to obtain a will, power of attorney, or designation of health care surrogate without charge.  
• Transactional legal assistance to qualifying non-profit corporations located in or primarily serving Sarasota or Manatee County.  Areas of service include Employment, Human Resources, Contract, Real Estate, Corporate Governance, Tax, and many more.
• The Family Law Connection project provides divorce assistance to clients who have been a resident for 6 months, have minor children, and there is no domestic violence.

CRIMINAL REPRESENTATION IS NOT AVAILABLE.

For information call: Sarasota: 366-0038; Manatee: 747-1628; Venice: 492-4631 or visit us at www.legalaidofmanasota.org

GULFCOAST LEGAL SERVICES (Free Civil Legal Assistance)

Gulfcoast Legal Services’ staff attorneys and advocates provide free legal representation for poor and elderly people within Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties.  In Pasco and Hillsborough counties GLS provides Immigration-related assistance only (e.g., Asylum, Unaccompanied Juvenile and Human Trafficking Prevention).  For more information, please visit the GLS website at www.gulfcoastlegal.org.

The following is a list which is representative of the cases GLS handles. Resources and priorities may limit the cases we are able to accept for representation.

Housing Issues: Landlord/Tenant Disputes, Mobile Home Law, Mortgage Foreclosures Defense (Homestead), Federally Subsidized Housing, Fair Housing Act, Disability Accommodation

Mortgage Foreclosure Defense and Assistance with Loan Modifications.

Immigration Assistance.  U and T Visas, Special Immigration Juvenile Status, Asylum, Immigration Court Case (removal and deportation).
  
Elder Law: Seniors (60 and over) Consumer Protection: Medical Bills, Contracts, Public Utilities, Bankruptcy Advice, Debt Collection Defense, Defending against Garnishment of Social Security and Wages.

Health and Public Benefits: Social Security Disability, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), Unemployment Compensation, Food Stamps, Medicaid, Homeless Prevention.

Individual Rights: Living Wills, Affidavits of Health Care Proxy, Health Care Surrogates, Durable Powers of Attorney, Abuse and Exploitation, Representation of victims of domestic violence to obtain protective orders against abusers

Low Income Tax Clinic (LITC) Assistance with IRS claims and tax negotiation of non-business related tax deficiencies for low income persons.

GLS CHILD

GLS CHILD provides specialized legal services, education and advocacy on behalf of unaccompanied immigrant children in Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

We represent children applying for:

• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) - Where the child is a victim of abuse, abandonment or neglect and it is not in the child’s best interest to return to their native country
• Asylum
• U-Visa - Where the child is a victim of a serious crime
• VAWA Self Petitions Act or similar immigration help
• Removal Defense in proceedings before an immigration judge

GLS CHILD welcomes case referrals from the Department of Children and Families, the Guardian Ad Litem Program, schools, mental health and medical service providers, the courts, law enforcement, and anyone who cares for or is involved in the child’s life.

For appointments in Manatee County call (941) 746-6151 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday. For appointments in Sarasota County call (941) 366-1746 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday.

Glasser-Schoenbaum Human Services Center
1750 17th Street, Building I, Sarasota, FL 34234
Telephone: 941-366-1746; Fax: 941-366-2314

430 12th Street West (Old Main), Bradenton, FL 34205
Telephone: 941-746-6151; Fax: 941-746-3661

314 South Missouri Ave, Suite 109, Clearwater, FL 33756
Telephone: 727-443-0657; Fax: 727-461-9160

641 First Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Telephone: 727-821-0726; Fax: 727-821-3340

Family Justice Center of Hillsborough County
Floriland Mall, 9309 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33612

GLS welcomes volunteers to help us achieve our mission of access to justice for all.  

FLORIDA RURAL LEGAL SERVICES, INC.

Florida Rural Legal Services provides civil representation in the areas of housing, including landlord/ tenant, public benefits, employment, wage claims, elder law, consumer problems, farm-worker issues, job discrimination and limited immigration assistance. Florida Rural Legal Services serves Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, Glades, Indian River, Martin, St. Lucie, Palm Beach, Highlands, Hardee, Hendry and Desoto Counties.

The agency’s elder law project serves seniors over 60 regardless of income. It also assists clients through its pro bono program with local attorneys and local bar associations, mainly in the family law area. Direct family law services are provided in Charlotte, St. Lucie and Martin Counties.

Florida Rural has a staff that is fluent in Spanish and Creole. DeSoto County residents can call toll free: 1-800-476-8937, or (239)-334-4554.