For this year’s American Bar Association pro-bono celebration, the theme is pro-bono in everyday life. This theme speaks to the core of our organization. Our team works tirelessly to assist residents with legal matters that impede their everyday life such as having a place to live or money to feed and clothe their children. With a wide offering of community outreach events, workshops, and educational opportunities, we connect residents with the resources they need to improve their quality of life and self-sufficiency. So please join us this month in celebrating Pro-Bono in everyday life.

Below we have included a wide array of the special programs and projects we offer to assist residents in Seminole County with legal issues the disrupt the daily functions in their family life.

We are delighted to announce that our Annual Silent Auction Fundraiser will be taking place on Friday, December 16^th at 11:30am at the Heathrow Country Club. We are so excited to be able to gather with friends, colleagues, and community partners to celebrate and do good for our community, but before we can do that, we first need your help.

We are looking for items to be donated in kind. Please contact Pro-Bono Coordinator, Camryn Williams at camrynw@scbalas.com or (407) 834-1660 ext. 114 for more information on how to donate.

We thank you in advance for your consideration!

Starting October 11^th, our office will be working with the Sharing Center as guest speakers for ProjectRise. This program focuses on creating pathways for individuals seeking to gain employment, obtain stable housing, provide life skills, and ensure compassionate care for all participants. Staff attorney Matthew Gripp will present about Tenant’s Rights to help educate renters about red flags when renting and best practices. We are also delighted to have Pro-Bono Attorney Erin Greene present on the Sealing & Expungement process to aid participants in putting their best foot forward. With each new cohort, our team will have the opportunity to teach these important subjects once a month.

As a college student, there are already so many important things pressing on your mind like exam due dates, homework assignments, and juggling your personal responsibilities, the last thing you should have to worry about is an eviction or timesharing issues. Our staff attorneys will be on campus every second and fourth Thursday of the month from 9:00am-12:00pm in order to help student address any legal concerns they have that may be affecting their ability to focus on graduation.

Upcoming dates:

October 13^th

October 27^th

November 10^th

December 8^th

Our Housing Education project is back October 26^th at 5:30pm via Zoom so please come to learn from our staff attorneys about eviction actions and best practices when renting. With increases in rent and changes to landlord tenant law, it is important now more than ever to understand your rights as a tenant. Attendees will have the opportunity to get answers to any questions you may have about your own housing issue. If you aren’t able to join us this month, don’t worry! There will be another presentation on November 30^th at 5:30pm.

Register by contacting Camryn Williams, Pro-Bono Coordinator at camrynw@scbalas.com.

We provide free legal advice and counsel to survivors of domestic violence in Seminole County with family law matters including dissolution of marriage, paternity, and time-sharing issues. Our Attorneys seek to achieve just outcomes that improve the lives of families and children and to promote the prevention of domestic abuse through community education to alert at risk population as to their rights, best practices to secure their safety, and the resources available in the community to safeguard them.

If you would like an appointment to apply for services, place call (407) 834-1660 or email administrator@scbalas.com.

Don't let that arrest on your record prevent you from getting the job of your dreams. In partnership with Goodwill Industries, our office holds a workshop to learn from our experienced volunteer attorneys how to seal or expunge your record.

You may qualify if you had:

• Adjudication withheld or charges dropped
• AND never previously sealed or expunged your record

To check the list of disqualifying crimes, click here.

Gas - October 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022

• During this period, the tax on gas will be reduced by $0.25 per gallon

A.O. 22-23 Supersedes 18-13-S:

In Re: Administrative Rules – Order Establishing Foreign Language Court Interpreter Policy

The Bureau of Victim Compensation's brochure provides useful information for those within our communities that have fallen victim to such crimes. The resources provided are:

1. Toll-Free Victim Services Information and Referral Line 1-800-226-6667
2. Benefits Available
3. How to Apply
4. Qualification Guidelines for Applying
5. Information Need to Apply
6. Next Steps after a Claim is Submitted

To view the full brochure and get complete information please click here.

Also, to view a list of other resources available to victims of crime please click here.

Upcoming Events

October 5, 2022 - In-Person Sealing and Expungement Workshop

October 11, 2022 - ProjectRise Presentation

October 13, 2022 - Seminole State College Legal Advice Clinic

October 13, 2022 - Preventing Fraud Senior Event

October 19, 2022 - Virtual Sealing and Expungement Workshop

October 20, 2022 - Veterans Free Legal Advice Clinic

October 26, 2022 - Housing Education Webinar

October 27, 2022 - Seminole State College Legal Advice Clinic