The coronavirus outbreak has created an expanded number of legal questions and there is some free legal help for civil, not criminal, concerns.
Wisconsin residents can turn to a web portal called Wisconsin Free Legal Answers.
A project of the Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission, it is supported by the State Bar of Wisconsin and the national ABA Free Legal Answers.
Jeff Brown is Wisconsin State Bar Association pro bono manager. He says they've heard about child custody cases, and also workplace safety...
"We've got the employment issues that we're seeing. People asking about workplace safety. I don't have enough distancing or I don't have the proper protective equipment that I need to do my job safely. What are my rights?"
Brown says they also have been hearing about unemployment benefits, powers of attorney, landlord-tenant issues, plus real estate and home foreclosures. Brown says clients go through an online screening process to establish financial eligibility and agree to the limited scope of the assistance provided. All communications between lawyers and clients are confidential and take place through a secure website.
Clients receive an email notification when an attorney responds to their question.
Brown says they have 250 volunteer lawyers who are available to help. More information is available through Wisconsin Free Legal Answers website portal.
