The St. Bernard Parish Library is pleased to announce that it is participating in the 12th annual “Lawyers in Libraries” statewide program in partnership with the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA), the State Library of Louisiana, and the Louisiana Library Association. This year, library patrons across the state have the opportunity to meet with attorneys for brief “Ask-a-Lawyer” consultations in person at participating libraries. Phone consultations can also be arranged by registering online at bit.ly/LiL2025Patrons by October 10th.
On Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, local attorneys will provide free legal guidance at the St. Bernard Parish Library’s Main Branch located at 2600 Palmisano Blvd. in Chalmette. Those interested in the event can sign up for an appointment by calling the library at 504-279-0448. Residents unable to attend in person can either register at the above link or by calling the library. Walk-ins are welcome, but given the limited appointments and the large demand, anyone interested is strongly encouraged to sign up prior to the event.
The LSBA will, again, host a series of virtual webinars on its Facebook page. These daily legal presentations will focus on timely legal issues throughout the week of the program. Past topics have included divorce and custody, successions and estate planning, bankruptcy, and more. These online presentations will be led by attorney volunteers throughout the state and are free and open to public participation. Everyone is encouraged to like and follow the LSBA Louisiana Lawyers in Libraries Facebook page to receive notifications about upcoming events.
This attorney-library partnership is a critical one in a state where nearly 20% of the population lives below the federal poverty line, with many more just barely making ends meet. Many people need legal assistance but cannot afford an attorney or don’t know where to start. The Lawyers in Libraries program allows participants to get basic information on their legal issue and be connected to additional free and low-cost legal resources. Attorneys can answer questions on a wide range of civil legal topics such as: Bankruptcy, Collection Matters, Custody, Divorce, Evictions, FEMA/Disaster Benefits, Food Stamps, Foreclosures, Housing, Medicaid, Social Security, SSI/SSDI, Successions, Taxes and Wills, and more. (The program does not address criminal matters.)
Public libraries are natural starting points for people in search of information and services. Library staff can provide direction to available resources, but not legal advice. The Lawyers in Libraries program is a great benefit to patrons needing legal help, especially in areas without a legal aid office.
Thanks to the combined efforts of the LSBA, LSBA members, the State Library of Louisiana, LLA, Law Library of Louisiana, legal aid partners, local bar associations, and other community partners, the success of Lawyers in Libraries has only grown over the years. Since its launch, attorneys have assisted over 10,000 Louisianians and reached patrons in every parish in the state. St. Bernard Parish Library is very fortunate to have so many local attorneys participate in this event. They normally provide guidance to an average of 50 people during our in-person Ask-a-Lawyer Day events. For more details or help finding an event in your area, contact your local library or visit www.LouisianaLawyersinLibraries.org.
The Louisiana State Bar Association assists its more than 23,000 members in the practice of law. The statewide association, as part of its multi-faceted mission, promotes and maintains access to justice initiatives for the state’s residents, assists the Louisiana Supreme Court in its regulation of the practice of law, upholds the honor of the courts and the profession, and supports programs that increase public understanding of and respect for the law.