The service is a collaborative effort to provide legal information and services to West Virginians who need legal advice and help but cannot afford to pay for it.

In a news release announcing the partnership, Legal Aid said the Lawyer Information Service cannot guarantee legal representation, but it does offer people the opportunity to speak with a lawyer who can offer up legal information.

The new service is scheduled to begin Aug. 3 and will be staffed with volunteer attorneys from local law firms. The service will be available from 6 to 8 p.m., each Tuesday, according to the release.

During those hours, volunteer attorneys will take phone calls from people, then assess the legal problem and provide direction. The public may call the emergency legal help line at 1-800-642-3617.

According to Jennifer Jordan of Legal Aid of West Virginia, the Mountain State is one of a few states that does not provide this type of service on a consistent basis. But she said the partnership between the West Virginia State Bar and Legal Aid of West Virginia made the service possible.

Cathy Wallace, director of the Access to Legal Aid Services Program of Legal Aid of West Virginia, was heavily involved in bringing the program to fruition.

“Despite our best efforts, Legal Aid simply cannot provide services to everyone who needs them,” Wallace said. “The Lawyer Information Service provides one more way, through the help of volunteers, that we can help desperate people in need.”

Several law firms came together to help man the Lawyer Information Service. According to the release, Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love LLP will provide volunteer attorneys to staff the service each Tuesday evening in August. Steptoe & Johnson will provide volunteer attorneys in September, and Kay Casto & Chaney has been invited to provide volunteer attorneys in October.

Other law firms and lawyer organizations are expected to sponsor weeks and months ahead, the release stated.

If things proceed as planned, the program is expected to become statewide in 2011.

Stuart McMillan, chairman of the Lawyer Information Service Committee of the State Bar and a member of the State Bar board of governors, was instrumental in launching the service.

“As attorneys, we know that there are thousands of West Virginians who are unable to afford private counsel,” he said. “We also know that as attorneys, we have a responsibility to protect the less fortunate. I urge every attorney across the state to commit one Tuesday evening to this program.  In one evening, you may touch many lives.”

The State Bar and Legal Aid of West Virginia hope to establish CLE-approved training for volunteering attorneys. The training will focus on both substantive legal issues and helping volunteers recognize when called should be referred to Legal Aid programs and/or the State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service.

To volunteer or learn about the Lawyer Information Service, contact Wallace at 866-255-4370 ext. 2129.