Legal aid is regulated by a 30-member board of directors representing the coverage area of the 40 districts. In accordance with the by-laws of the Société des services juridiques, the Board of Directors is composed of representatives of lawyers and clients from the program`s service area. This volunteer council meets bi-monthly to discuss policy issues, set case priorities, and provide financial and overall oversight of the program. Various Board committees meet between regular Board meetings to discuss topics and agree on specific recommendations to the Board as a whole. Vince Hayes Team/Unit: Federal Law Position: Paralegal Start Year: 1986 Field of Activity: Social Security Missouri Western State University – BS, BA, as Johnson succeeds Joseph Dandurand, who retired earlier this month after 30 years in the legal community, the last four years as executive director of legal aid. Legal Aid lawyers, paralegals, secretaries and admissions staff support our clients with a combination of expertise and compassion. Our clients come to us in times of crisis and we are there to provide them with help, information and hope. Annie Colwell (she/she/she) Team/Unit: Public Services Mail: Family Health Advocates Project – Paralegal Start year: 2020 Truman State University – BA Legal Aid of Western Missouri began as the Kansas City Legal Aid Bureau, the first legal aid program established west of the Mississippi River. When it was founded in 1910, the Legal Aid Bureau was an annex of the Public Welfare Council. In the early 1960s, the Kansas City Bar Association conducted a comprehensive survey of the unmet legal needs of the low-income population. It was decided that in order to ensure justice for all, there must be a place where the poor could receive free legal services. In 1964, the 501(c)(3) statute was established and initial funding was secured through a grant from the Ford Foundation, the Jackson County Circuit Court, and the City of Kansas City. Since 1964, Legal Aid of Western Missouri has provided dignity, self-sufficiency and justice through quality civil (non-criminal) legal assistance to those with nowhere else to go.
The fundamental purpose of legal aid is simple: to provide free legal representation to low-income citizens and to promote the autonomy of their clients. Kate Macan Team/Unit: Migrant Workers Project/Immigration Position: Paralegal Start Year: 2019 University of Notre Dame du Lac It`s National Pro Bono Week! Legal Aid of Western Missouri and its Volunteer Attorney Project would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our volunteer lawyers for their dedication to providing pro bono services and to recognize their outstanding contributions. Last year alone, they donated more than 6,000 hours of legal services. From our individual practitioners. Christina Frommer Team/Unit: Municipal Defence Unit Position: Paralegal Year Start: 2011 Suzanne Green Team/Unit: Consumer Protection Position: Paralegal Start of the year: 2021 In the 1970s, when federal funding became available, the program expanded its service area to 40 counties, or the western third of Missouri. At that time, the name of the program changed to Legal Aid of Western Missouri. Legal Aid currently has two offices in Kansas City, one on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. (formerly Blue Parkway) and the other on the west side of Kansas City. Three offices serve rural areas outside the state and are located in St.
Joseph, Warrensburg and Joplin. Susan Hanrahan Team/Unit: Public Services Position: Paralegal Jocelyn Cobos Position: Paralegal Start year: 2022 Certificate of Legal Interpretation The availability of free civil legal aid can make all the difference for our neighbours struggling to stay home, escape domestic violence, access veterans` benefits, or face many other legal challenges that are central to affecting their safety and well-being. Jordan Greer Position: Paralegal Start year: 2020 Alexcia Duran Team/Unit: Consumer Protection Unit Position: Paralegal Year Start: 2022 MCC-Penn Valley – AA Paralegal Practices Natalie Kidwell Team/Unit: Federal Rights Position: Paralegal Start Year: 2021 University of Kansas – BA Carly Ardussi Team/Unit: Housing Position: Paralegal Year Start: 2021 Missouri Western State University – BS Georgia Martinez-Moylan (she/her) Team/Unit: National position: Paralegal Year Start: 2021 Johnson County Community College – AA Paralegal Studies Karen Team/Unit: Public Benefits Position: Paralegal Year Start: 1987 Truman State Prior to joining Legal Aid, Johnson and her husband Chris, along with their two sons, lived in Cameroon, Africa, for two years and did missionary work. Johnson is a proud graduate of UMKC Law School and enjoys the incredible legal community in the field. Johnson began practicing bankruptcy law before moving to the public service. This list is not exhaustive. To find out more about our services and whether we can help you with your legal issue, please contact us. Audriana Hush Position: Paralegal Start year: 2019 Paralegal Studies Sarah Canada (she/she) Position: Paralegal Year started: 2015 Missouri Southern State University “Alicia is a positive and thoughtful leader. His warmth, collegial style, hands-on approach to problem-solving and passion for leveraging the broader legal community to help those in need of Legal Aid services have earned the appreciation of Legal Aid volunteers, staff, board of directors and donors,” said Matt Dameron, Chair of the Legal Aid Commission. “The Board looks forward to working with Alicia as Executive Director and we are confident that Legal Aid will be well positioned under her leadership.” Lindsey Praechter (she) Team/Unit: Consumer Protection Position: Paralegal Year founded: 2022 Kansas State University – Journalism Our success stories highlight the types of civil law issues our clients face and how your support affects your neighbors and community. It`s hard to play in a game where your opponent has the equipment and you have nothing. Without you, none of this would have been possible.
Your support makes a difference. Kelsey Lester (she/her) Team/Unit: Public Benefits Position: Staff Lawyer Start Year: 2021 St. Louis Heather Walker University Position: STOP VAWA Lawyer Start year: 2016 Missouri Southern State University – BA / University of Tulsa College of Law – JD Martin Blake Cram (he/he/his) Team/Unit: Administration Position: Director of Development Start year: 2021 MS. Kim Hayes Team/Unit: VAP Position: Coordinator Start year: 2020 BA Theatre Education Program MA Teaching Matt Dameron – President Lawyer Nominating Agency: KCMBA Gwen Sowder Team/Unit: Federal Law Position: Legal Secretary Year founded: 2009 In order to serve those who need it most, the Legal Aid Board of Directors, with the significant participation of clients and providers, has established strict priorities for the cases that will be accepted.