In a message to members, San Antonio Bar Association President Beth Watkins said the need for legal services for those affected by the recent mass shooting at the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church will likely exceed what the legal community in that area can provide.
The San Antonio Bar Association predicts there will be a need for pro bono legal services in the areas of family, probate, guardianship, employment, and real estate law as a result of the tragedy. SABA and its pro bono project, the Community Justice Program, will perform legal intake services at the Sutherland Springs Disaster Resource Center, which serves as a hub of assistance for those affected by the tragedy.
“We must come together to care for this community and help them mend,” SABA Executive Director June Moynihan said in a news release.
Attorneys who are willing to volunteer with this effort should email the following information to cjp@sabar.org:
- Your name,
- Your phone number,
- Your email address, and
- What legal services (family law, probate, guardianship, real estate law) you can provide.
Sutherland Springs is a 45-minute drive from the Bexar County Courthouse. Volunteer attorneys should be prepared to travel to Floresville, the county seat of Wilson County, for any court proceedings. Wilson County Attorney Tom Caldwell has taken steps to waive county court filing fees and will serve as a local resource for volunteer attorneys.
Individuals or families affected by the Sutherland Springs tragedy who are in need of legal assistance should reach out to the Community Justice Program through the resource center, via phone at (210) 227-8828, or by email at cjp@sabar.org.