27th Judicial Circuit

209 W. 6^th, Suite 5

Joplin, MO 64801

1 800 492-7095

FAX (417) 782-1653

Mission Statement

The mission of Legal Aid of Western Missouri is to provide the highest quality legal services to individuals, families and groups faced with economic barriers in obtaining civil legal representation, and to assure that legal assistance is provided in a manner that favorably resolves their legal problems and obtains improvements in institutions, laws, policies and practices which have a great impact on the client community. Legal services should also be provided in a manner that increases the self-sufficiency of clients, and in a manner which takes into account the expressed needs of the client.

Family Law – Domestic Violence

A staff attorney represents clients seeking Adult and/or Child Orders of Protection and participates in community outreach programs to bring services to victims of domestic violence.

Housing

Preventing homelessness and preserving and expanding the availability of affordable housing are key goals of LAWMO’s housing work. LAWMO represents clients in cases that have the greatest immediate impact on clients’ ability to secure and maintain safe and affordable housing, such as those involving illegal evictions and landlord/tenant disputes, housing discrimination, housing conditions and habitability, utility shut-off, and foreclosures. LAWMO also represents tenants associations and neighborhood and community groups in their efforts to maintain public and other low-income housing and to eliminate blight and preserve neighborhoods.

Public Benefits

LAWMO helps low-income persons obtain and maintain a minimum level of income, achieve access to health insurance or medical care and secure supportive services, such a daycare, job training and educational services, that enable clients to secure employment at a living wage. LAWMO staff not only represent clients coping with the transition from welfare, but in all types of administrative hearings and in court to insure they receive the public benefits they are entitled to under law. The types of public assistance cases include Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF), Aid to the Blind, food stamps, Medicaid, social security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), veterans benefits, and general assistance.

Employment

LAWMO staff provide advice, community education and representation on matters relating to the preservation and development of jobs that pay a living wage. We focus on removing legal barriers to employment, improving our clients’ access to jobs paying above the poverty level and increasing clients’ control over their economic future. The issues might include wrongful denial, or termination of employment due to illegal discrimination, or wrongful denial of employment benefits.

Education

LAWMO staff represent individuals denied school services or access to an education due to a disability, discrimination, or a wrongful suspension or expulsion. With the help of an attorney, these students are given the opportunity to obtain the best possible education at the learning institutions they are entitled to attend.

Consumer

LAWMO staff represent clients in consumer cases, providing advice and counsel, representation to resolve complaints and contract disputes, and help with access to affordable credit. Cases are handled especially where there is over-reaching and/or a pattern of exploitation of people living in poverty. These include deceptive sales or lending practices, faulty home repairs, and automobile purchases and repair problems. As a last resort, bankruptcy can relieve clients of over burdensome debt.