Lablaw

WASHINGTON – The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) has announced that Legal Aid of the Bluegrass (LABG) will receive a $176,966 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) to reinvigorate and improve the Kentucky statewide legal information website, kyjustice.org. Established in 2000, LSC’s TIG program supports legal aid organizations in developing and replicating technologies that improve efficiency and provide greater access to high-quality legal assistance.

For years, landlords have been evicting clients by incorrect process. Recently, Legal Aid took on this issue and in a recently published decision the Kentucky Court of Appeals held that the housing authority executive director who is a non-attorney has no authority in a legal capacity. In Hornsby v. Housing Authority of Dry Ridge, 566 S.W.3d 587, the Court of Appeals ruled that an executive director of a housing authority who files a forcible detainer action without an attorney engages in the unauthorized practice of law.

Easy access to opioids and poor living conditions are leading many Kentuckians to becoming addicted and overdosing from substance abuse. In 2016, 1404 Kentuckians overdosed, a nearly 13% increase from the previous year.  Our 33 county service region has been hit hard by this crisis. This is partially due to the location of our service region. Several counties are located on the borders of Ohio and West Virginia, two states that rank high in opioid related issues.

There is no greater time of year for Legal Aid of the Bluegrass (LABG) than the Season of Pro Bono. A time for celebration and appreciation of the legal services provided to needy Kentuckians by volunteer lawyers.  Last year alone, LABG received over 10,000 requests for help. LABG attorneys and advocates helped 5, 870 families or about 55% of those Kentucky families that called us for help. Volunteer lawyers fill in the gap and provide much needed legal representation to those LABG cannot.

In Kentucky we celebrate BOURBON.