Pictured: Local Attorney Amanda Levanti, White County “Lawyer in the Library” program counsel.
Second Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Melissa Morgan is proud to announce the Second Circuit’s “Lawyer in the Library” program will continue this year at the Carmi Public Library thanks to an Access to Justice grant. 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. Chief Judge Morgan applied for and was awarded funding to create the “Lawyer in the Library” program in 2022 in Franklin County, and services were expanded with a subsequent grant to include White County last year. This year’s program will feature Attorney Amanda Levanti from the law firm, Levanti Law in Benton.
Chief Judge Morgan stated, “I am grateful for this year’s grant award because it allows us to continue to build on the program’s success. Our goal is simple - to help people in our communities who are attempting to navigate the court system without a lawyer. The program has flourished and I am excited to welcome a new attorney who has chosen to participate in our mission.
Local attorney, Amanda Levanti has partnered with the program and will meet with participants beginning in October. Amanda is an experienced attorney who received her Bachelors Degree from Murray State University and her Juris Doctorate from Northern Kentucky University. Amanda has experience representing parties in White County and across Southern Illinois, and currently serves as conflict public defender in White County. She will utilize her civil expertise in this program.
The program will kick-off with the first session on October 1, from 2:00 - 5:00 pm, with additional sessions scheduled on December 3, 2025, March 4 and May 6, 2026. The library is strongly requesting that appointments be made in an effort to accommodate all interested persons. Please contact the Carmi Public Library at (618) 382-5277 to schedule a session.
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. Services will be provided for civil issues, including but not limited to dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, landlord/tenant, guardianship, small claims, and probate. For more information, please contact the Carmi Public Library or the Office of the Chief Judge for the Second Judicial Circuit at (618) 244-8036.
The Second Judicial Circuit is comprised of 12 counties: Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White.
