Second Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Melissa Morgan is proud to announce the Second Circuit’s “Lawyer in the Library” program will continue in Richland County for another year thanks in part to recently renewed grant funding. The program consists of a local attorney meeting one-on-one with individuals and providing them with free legal coaching, document review, e-filing, and referrals regarding civil issues. These services are made possible through a grant from the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts that seeks to fund programs aimed to assist self-represented litigants. The Second Circuit created the “Lawyer in the Library” program in 2022 with a pilot county and last year’s grant allowed an expansion to include 3 more counties, including Richland County. This grant award enables the existing services to continue and also allows for the implementation of the program in White County.
Retired Associate Judge Kimbara Harrell of Olney has partnered with the program and will continue meeting with individuals for 20-minute sessions twice a month between the hours of 4:00 - 6:00 pm. Judge Harrell will meet with interested participants at the Olney Public Library at 400 West Main Street, Olney, Illinois. Participants must reside within the Second Circuit. The 2024 fall sessions will kick off on Tuesday, September 17, with additional sessions scheduled through November: September 24, October 22, October 29, November 19, and November 26. Pre-registration is required in an effort to accommodate all interested persons. Please contact the Olney Public Library at (618) 392-3711 to schedule a session.
Chief Judge Morgan stated, “I am grateful for this year’s grant award because it lets us build on the program’s success. We started in one county and wanted to focus on making it a sustainable program. The goal was simple - to help people in our communities who were attempting to navigate the court system without a lawyer. The program has flourished and I am excited to continue working with the Olney Public Library, Director Logan Braddock, and Judge Harrell to offer these services to Richland County.”
The Second Judicial Circuit is comprised of 12 counties: Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White. For more information, please contact the Office of the Second Circuit Chief Judge at 618-244-8036.
