Attorney volunteers offer legal assistance in Joplin

(From Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys)
Emergency Response Team volunteers from the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys have continued to take calls for help daily since their 10-day deployment to Joplin ended in June, so volunteers are returning to the city to assist those who continue to be affected by the May 22 tornado.

Attorney volunteers will be in Joplin Aug. 17-18 at 705 Illinois, Bldg. A, Suite 6, from 9-5 daily, as part of a partnership with The American Red Cross. Those affected by the storm can get help with insurance, housing or consumer issues.

•Assistance with insurance claims (life, medical, property, etc.),
•Assistance with government relief programs,
•Counseling on landlord-tenant and other housing problems,
•Assistance with home repair contracts,
•Assistance in consumer protection matters, remedies and procedures,
•Counseling on mortgage foreclosure problems, OR
•Replacement of important legal documents destroyed in a disaster.

Walk-ins will be accepted, or you can make an appointment by phoning Jeannie Brandstetter at 573-635-5215 or 573-230-8528. The group plans to make regular returns to the city as long as the need continues.

This program operates through a memorandum of understanding with the Red Cross and MATA members do not profit from this service financially. If a long-term legal relationship is needed, a MATA member can take the case pro bono or will refer the case to a local bar association.