Table of Contents

    Commentary: Kentucky’s civil legal aid programs brace for unprecedented need for legal help

    As we begin the process of reopening the economy and emerging from the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic, health, and social/emotional hardships facing our communities will become clearer.

    COVID-19 will leave countless Kentuckians with new and unanticipated challenges. Many of the challenges will involve civil legal issues: keeping one’s home, protection from abuse, securing benefits like unemployment, and much more.

    We must use every available resource to provide relief during the COVID-19 recovery. Lawyers, specifically civil legal aid lawyers, will play an integral role in our front-line response.

    Civil legal aid must be a crucial component of the Commonwealth’s comprehensive approach to the recovery. Unlike in criminal cases, people dealing with the civil justice system are not guaranteed representation from a public defense attorney.

    In every county in Kentucky, legal aid programs and volunteer lawyers have quickly adapted to serve as many people as they can through remote client consultations, virtual clinics, and representation in telephonic emergency hearings.

    Kentucky’s legal aid programs are looking for new and innovative ways to serve those in need. The programs have launched Together Lawyers Can, a statewide pro bono project to connect Kentucky lawyers with people in crisis as a result of the pandemic. Over 200 lawyers from across the Commonwealth have volunteered so far.

    READ MORE

    Last updated on .

    Table of Contents

      NEWS

      News & publications

      The news about recent activities for needed peoples.

      More News

      20 Aug 2025

      Female attorney in black blouse speaks

      AppalReD offering free FEMA appeal clinics

      HAZARD, Ky. (WYMT) - AppalReD is offering free legal clinics for tornado and…

      Continue Reading about AppalReD offering free FEMA appeal clinics

      6 Aug 2025

      Grant Manager Trish Hatler is pictured with Sadhna G. True, KBF’s Immediate Past President & Grants Committee Chair.

      AppalReD Legal Aid Hosts Family Law Clinics with Generous Support from Kentucky Bar Foundation

      Prestonsburg, KY - AppalReD Legal Aid recently received a $15,000 grant from…

      Continue Reading about AppalReD Legal Aid Hosts Family Law Clinics with Generous Support from Kentucky Bar Foundation