Civil advocacy is a wonderful part of Indiana communities. This act ensures that everyone is granted their rights regardless of race or background. Lawyers in the Hoosier state have the knowledge and the know-how to plead or negotiate a cause or a case for the public’s good. This is usually done by fighting for the everyday person’s right to compensation, but it can also cover other areas of public life.
Indiana residents may find great interest and comfort in learning how civil advocacy can benefit them by reading a law cases book by one of their own. Lawyers all over our great country fight for the rights of the powerless and provide a necessary service.
Civil Advocacy in Indiana Communities
When we think about lawyers and their role in society, many immediately think of one of William Shakespeare’s most quotable lines. Although a laughable joke, “The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers,” couldn’t be anything further from the truth.
Lawyers provide power to the powerless and will fight for the betterment of communities. Despite their unfair stereotype of being vultures, they provide several services that can benefit society.
Let’s look at some of the valuable services that lawyers provide, some of which you may not have been aware of. Most Indiana lawyers and law firms work for the people, not against them.
Information Providing Books
Lawyers have written many insightful books that can help to educate the general public about the law. They have the unique opportunity to help those needing legal counsel by publishing valuable information, both in paperback and digital form, that can provide much-needed information to the layperson.
Books written by lawyers can guide those who haven’t studied the law in an effortless way to educate themselves. Some wrote how-to manuals, while others wrote deep and insightful memoirs describing their struggles.
Free Consultations
Most people who’ve needed legal help feel they don’t have the money to retain a high-priced lawyer. This isn’t always entirely true. Although big corporations, the wealthy, and celebrities may require the services of high-end legal representation that requires a costly retainer, the same isn’t true for the average citizen.
For personal injury cases, situations such as car accidents, or medical malpractice suits, most law firms offer a free consultation to discuss your case. Many firms offer free legal advice to the poor and disadvantaged that’s available in some communities. For personal injury cases, the consultation is free, and most will take on your case on a contingency basis. This means that they’ll only get paid if you receive a settlement, and they’ll take a predetermined percentage.
Pro Bono Services
Despite a lawyer’s reputation of being expensive and looking to bill their clients for as many hours as possible, many do pro bono work. You may have heard this term before without fully understanding what it means. Pro bono is the commonly shortened Latin phrase “for the public good.” This could help an individual who cannot afford their services but has been hit with a huge social injustice.
When a lawyer takes on a case “Pro Bono,” they do it for free or at a severely reduced cost. Many lawyers also do pro bono work to give back to their communities by offering their legal counsel without cost. This could be to assist a not-for-profit industry or a volunteer company that provides a valuable service to the community.
Businesses that employ the disabled or privately owned food banks that feed the homeless often need legal advice. Companies that don’t operate for profit and are entirely dependent upon donations typically don’t have the funds for a lawyer. Many firms volunteer their time to help these types of businesses handle legal matters.
Civil Advocacy and Lawyers: The Bottom Line
It’s time to change the public’s perception of lawyers. Sure, they’re considered a necessary evil for some, but that is an unfair and untrue belief. Many lawyers perform valuable public service by providing free or reduced costs for individuals and community projects. Consultations are usually free; you won’t have to spend any upfront money to retain their services for personal injury cases.
