The Second Judicial Circuit’s “Lawyer in the Library” program is set to continue this spring.
Appointments are being scheduled now for March, April, and May at the West Frankfort Public Library
located at 402 East Poplar Street, West Frankfort. The program was initiated in September 2022, and
provides a licensed attorney for twenty-minute appointment periods to assist individuals with free legal
coaching, document review, assistance with electronic filing, and referrals to additional services. These
free services are made possible by grant funding obtained by the Office of the Chief Judge for the
Second Circuit from the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice and the Administrative
Office of the Illinois Courts.
Chief Judge Melissa Morgan stated, “Local Attorney Shannon Appleton was selected to partner in this
initiative, and the assistance she has been able to provide to individuals since the program’s inception in
September has far exceeded my expectations. I appreciate her dedication and commitment to the
program. I am also extremely grateful to the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice and
the Administrative Office for this funding and the opportunity to provide these services to our
community.”
Attorney Appleton shared her feelings on serving in this capacity, stating, “An unfortunate reality is that
there are many people with legal issues that fall through the cracks so to speak, as even an hour
consultation with a private attorney can cost hundreds of dollars. Many of our community members are
not able to pay a lawyer $200 to answer a 20 minute question, so the small and sometimes easily fixable
legal issues snowball into giant dilemmas. This program is designed to make sure everyone is given an
opportunity to address their legal issues before they become real obstacles in their lives. It gives lawyers
like me the incredible opportunity to give back to the community I’ve been a member of my whole life
and help people who are sometimes overlooked. I thank Chief Judge Morgan for her dedication in
bringing this program to Franklin County, and it is an honor to do my small part to help this program
continue to grow and thrive.”
Attorney Appleton is accepting appointments now for March, April, and May and pre-registration is
highly recommended but not required. To register in advance, please contact the West Frankfort Public
Library at (618) 932-3313. Participants are asked to bring all paperwork related to their legal questions
with them and sign in at the desk upon arrival at the library. Due to limited appointments, persons can
only be seen once every 30 days. For more information, please contact the West Frankfort Public
Library or the Office of the Chief Judge for the Second Judicial Circuit at (618)244-8036
Pictured: “Lawyer In Library” Program Attorney Shannon Appleton
