2018 Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Annual Report

Southeast Louisiana Legal Services

2018 Annual
Report

Fighting for Fairness for Vulnerable People

Southeast Louisiana Legal Services 2018 Annual Report 1

Special thanks to Mark Surprenant, Gwynne Mashon, Kylie McNamara,
Roxanne Newman, & Elena Perez for their assistance in creating this report.

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Message from SLLS Board President, Mark Surprenant

I am proud to serve as the Board President of Southeast
Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) as we embark upon our next 50
years of providing life-changing civil legal help to low-income
people. Civil legal aid programs like SLLS improve communities
while keeping faith with one of America’s core values – equal
access to justice. On a daily basis, our staff and volunteers
strengthen communities and make a difference in the lives of
vulnerable families. Every year, SLLS is a lifeline for thousands
of people at the times in their lives when they most need
help.

Pictured: Mark Surprenant, SLLS Board President

2018 was a year of major change at SLLS. The New Orleans SLLS downtown office moved after
having been in the same place for over 15 years. The new location on the 6th Floor at 1340 Poydras
Street across the street from Civil District Court is better suited to meet the growing demands of
our clients and staff. We formed our 50 More Years Advisory Committee to lay a strong foundation
for the future. We revamped our agency website and engaged a fundraising consultant through a
generous capacity building grant from Baptist Community Ministries. The Louisiana Bar Foundation,
our second largest funder, made it possible for SLLS to upgrade its case management system to a
cloud based platform along with other improvements. SLLS completed an internal assessment of its
pro bono efforts and made significant progress in
building our capacity to increase access to justice
by better engaging volunteers through a Legal
Service Corporation (LSC) Pro Bono Innovation
Fund Transformation grant.

We are grateful for all the support we receive
from the community in the interest of justice and
invite you to join us as we fight for justice. We
hope you enjoy reading our 2018 Annual Report.
To stay in tune with our efforts year-round, sign
up for our monthly SLLS e-mail newsletter here
and follow us on Facebook here.

Pictured: Ribbon Cutting for Mark A. Moreau Conference Room at SLLS’ Open House at new location at
1340 Poydras St. Ste 600, New Orleans, La. – Left to Right: Roxanne Newman, SLLS Deputy Director,
Laura Tuggle, SLLS Executive Director, Janine Moreau Monsour, and Dr. Chin Chin Ho Moreau

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Our Mission

Our History

For over 50 years, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) has provided a legal
safety net. We serve 22 parishes covering half of Louisiana’s low-income
population from our offices in Baton Rouge, Covington, Harvey, Hammond,
Houma, and New Orleans. SLLS attorneys and support staff are complemented by
pro bono attorneys, law students, and other volunteers. We work in partnership
with other community stakeholders.

SLLS provides legal help for indigent and other vulnerable people who cannot
afford a lawyer. We protect livelihoods, health, housing, and families. Programs
like ours are essential to assuring fairness for all in the civil justice system.

SSLLLLSSSSttaafffAAtttoorrnneeyySStteevveeRReeeedd SLLS 2018 Summer Law Student Volunteers with
ahseslpisitnigngavveetteerraannaattaannnnuuaallVVAASSttaannddDDoowwnneevveenntt Federal District Judge Ivan Lemelle of the Eastern
District of Louisiana

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Our Priorities

Areas Served

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2018 By the Numbers

Having an SLLS attorney prevents the loss of family, food, shelter, income, medical care, or
personal safety. In 2018, SLLS handled 11,527 cases, closing almost 8,000 by 12/31/2018. We
helped 25,515 vulnerable Louisianans, reached another 15,604 people through community
education, and provided legal information to 200,587 more through LouisianaLawhelp.org. The
charts below show a breakdown of our 2018 closed and open cases.

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2018 Economic Impact

The direct economic impact of SLLS’ 2018 work for our clients exceeded $21 million. This
represents income secured, assets or benefits protected, such as the value of homes saved
from foreclosure, consumer debt relief, health coverage obtained, housing subsidies preserved,
financial support for hard-working families, and much more. No price tag can be placed on the
value of lives saved through our Domestic Violence and Child in Need of Care work. A new
Economic Impact Study on the value of civil legal aid released in early 2019 by the Louisiana bar
Foundation found that for every $1 supporting programs like SLLS, there is $9.13 in social
return on investment in immediate and long-term cost savings.

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Stories Behind the Numbers

SLLS Prevents Unjust Eviction of Tenant Living with a Disability

Mr. S, a voucher tenant recovering from tuberculosis, was
evicted by a Justice of the Peace when he could not appear
for his court date due to his chronic health condition. Despite
a letter from the State of Louisiana Tuberculosis Prevention
and Control program recommending a continuance for
medical reasons, his request was denied. Since he could not
appear in court to defend himself, a default judgment was
rendered ordering him to be put out on the street within 24
hours. Due to the eviction, the local Housing Authority
refused to release his voucher so he could seek other
housing. Instead, it began administrative proceedings to kick
him off the voucher program. Mr. S. turned to SLLS for help.
With only one day to stop this unjust eviction, SLLS sent a letter to the Housing Authority demanding
that Mr. S’s voucher be reinstated immediately as a reasonable accommodation of his disability under
the Fair Housing Act since he could not attend court due to his medical condition and the loss of his
voucher being detrimental to his health. The Housing Authority granted the request. SLLS also filed a
petition for a new trial in district court based on the Justice of the Peace’s failure to allow the
continuance. The new trial was granted and the eviction was dismissed. A miscarriage of justice was
prevented and Mr. S.’ housing and health are now stabilized.

Disaster Recovery for Livingston Parish Senior Accomplished

Though Ms. C’s father passed away many years ago, a succession was never done. Both Ms. C and her
brother had lived in the family home for many years caring for their ailing mother. Some funds for
rebuilding were provided by FEMA, but they were inadequate to cover the cost of repairing the home.

Ms. C, her brother, and their elderly mother were living in a
FEMA trailer while attempting to complete repairs on the
home. Due to the physical limitations on Ms. C and her
mother because of serious health problems, an SLLS attorney
made a home visit to complete and execute an Affidavit of
Small Succession. Once this completed with Ms. C and her
family, SLLS recorded this legal proof of ownership with the
local Clerk of Court. This cleared the way for Restore
Louisiana, the States long-term recovery program to approve
additional funds for repairs on the family home. The economic
benefit received by Ms. C and her family through our work
was $198,675.00.

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Fighting for Fairness in Tax Court for Hard-Working Youth

When he was only 18, Mr. B got involved in a one-time
business adventure. He was to purchase a vehicle for a
Florida company, transfer the title and drive the vehicle to
deliver it. The company wire transferred $80,050.85 to his
checking account and he earned a commission of $625.
When he filed his tax return, he in error only included
wages earned from his restaurant job and he expected to
receive a small refund of about $200.

Upon getting the return, the IRS notified him that he failed
to include wages of less than $1000 and other income. The IRS recalculated his tax liability and notified
Mr. B that he owed approximately $35,000. The Florida company had submitted a 1099 form to the IRS
that made it seem that the $80,050.85 wire transfer for the car was actually his income. Mr. B. tried to
resolve this himself, but wound up in Tax Court. He filed a pro se petition on his own to try to fix the
dispute. The Tax Court informed him about SLLS ‘Low- Income Taxpayer Clinic.

He contacted us right away for legal help. After taking on his case, SLLS quickly realized the problem and
determined Mr. B only owed $146 for not including his commission. SLLS worked with the IRS Appeals
Office to resolve the dispute. Not only did the IRS agree with SLLS, they reduced his liability to $146,
gave a credit of $36 and reduced interest that had accrued to $9.63 for a total of tax debt owed of
$119.63. We advised Mr. B. of the IRS’ revised decision that he only owed $119.63 but that we also felt
he was entitled to an Earned Income Tax Credit of approximately $300 that the IRS did not figure in.
Upon getting the news, Mr. B exclaimed, “I’ll pay the $119. I never made $35,000 in my life. I’ll pay it!”

Helping Emma Get the Family She Longed For

Emma’s family was neglecting her. She was removed
from the home and placed in foster care at only five
months old. Her mom was either unable or unwilling to
comply with a family reunification plan. Her foster
family quickly fell in love with Emma and wanted
nothing more than to make her their own. But because
she was released from the hospital without a birth
certificate, she could not be adopted. SLLS was
appointed to represent Emma. We advocated for the
court to order records needed to free Emma for
adoption. After we got the birth certificate, we stayed
on the case, determined to see Emma finally have a
permanent home with the family she loved and who
loved her back. Through our advocacy, the adoption was expedited after we convinced the
court that systemic changes were needed so children like Emma could have permanent homes
as quickly as possible. After 1,208 days in the foster care system, Emma’s foster family could
finally adopt her. Emma couldn’t be happier to be part of a safe, stable, and loving family.

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Resolution of Thorny Probate Matter Results in Long-Term Disaster Recovery

Ms. P had lived in the family home with her
mother until her mom passed away a month after
catastrophic flooding in Baton Rouge. The home
suffered extensive damage due to the flood. All
the contents of her home were destroyed.
Immediately after the flood and just prior to her
death, Ms. P’s mother applied for and received
limited FEMA assistance to make minimal home
repairs. Ms. P’s mother had a will, but it was lost
in the flood. The will left all of Ms. P’s mother’s
property to Ms. P and her siblings, with a special
bequest of the home to Ms. P only. But due to the
damage to the will, Ms. P’s siblings did not believe
that the home had been left solely to her. Tensions among Ms. P and her siblings increased.

Ms. P sought legal assistance from SLLS’ collaborative “Flood Proof” Project. We secured a copy
of the will from the attorney who originally drafted it. SLLS successfully probated the will in
court obtaining a judgment recognizing Ms. P as the owner of the home .This work cleared the
legal hurdle for Ms. P. to obtain further assistance from the Restore Louisiana Program. Ms. P
received a total economic benefit of $95,720.18 and is now living in the repaired family home.

SLLS Pro Bono Attorney Helps Veteran Living with a Disability Adopt His Grandson

Mr. A., a disabled veteran, wanted to adopt his grandson
Kyle to help care for him and provide stable home. Kyle’s
mother was addicted to opioids and his father was in
prison. Kyle’s mother agreed not to object to Mr. A.
having legal custody of her son. But once the lawsuit was
filed, Kyle’s father did not want to agree to allow him to
adopt his grandson.

This is where SLLS was able to help. Our SLLS Northshore
Pro Bono Project Coordinator quickly assigned one of our
volunteer attorneys in our pro bono panel to represent
Mr. A. in court. This greatly sped up the process of Kyle’s
adoption. Our pro bono attorney explained that he met
all the elements required by the law to support his
request to adopt his grandson. Through his volunteer attorney’s advocacy, both of Kyle’s
parents eventually agreed to give up their parental rights and allow Kyle to be adopted by his
grandfather. Thanks to SLLS’ help, Kyle now has a stable, forever home.

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Ending Homelessness for a Disabled Veteran

After leaving the Army, Mr. Leonard struggled with PTSD,
depression, and other medical conditions. Despite his
illnesses, he built a life for himself as a civilian and worked
a full-time job. Over time, his health got worse and he lost
his job. With no income, he would up losing his home.
Over the years, he had lost touch with his family. With
nowhere else to turn, he slept in homeless shelters and
sometimes under the overpass.

Through our partnership with another nonprofit for
homeless veterans, Mr. Leonard was referred to SLLS for
help with applying for disability. Our staff helped him get
approved for expedited Social Security benefits in only
four weeks instead of the typical 4-8 month application
process. We were also successful in getting him approved for a housing voucher for homeless
veterans. He now has the economic support needed to permanently end his homelessness.

Providing Hope to a Client in Critical Condition

Mr. T struggled to make ends meet working low-wage manual labor jobs --cutting grass, digging
ditches, and restaurant work. He made a bad decision and got in trouble with the law. He went
to prison for several years and was seriously injured there. When he was released, he had no
income, no health insurance, and couldn’t work due to his injury. A relative let him move into
an abandoned family home that had no electricity or running water. He got a serious infection
and faced a limb amputation.

At the Capital Area Alliance for the Homeless One Stop
Center, he was referred to the SLLS attorney onsite
there. We helped him get quickly linked to Medicaid and
medical transportation so that he could access the
healthcare he so desperately needed. Our SLLS attorney
was able to help him build his case and medical record
for a disability claim. Through our legal intervention, Mr.
T was approved for ongoing benefits and a lump sum
back pay award. Now with a source of income, he was
able to make repairs to his home and his health
improved. He has not been in further trouble with the
criminal justice system and his future is more stable.

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Protecting the Housing Rights of Domestic Violence Survivors

Ms. G and her two-year-old son were living in affordable
housing using a voucher issued by a public housing
authority (PHA) when their world was turned upside down.
Ms. G’s boyfriend became physically abusive attacking her
in the home. She sought and was granted a protective
order. She was too afraid to return to her apartment since
her abuser knew where she lived. She reported this to the
PHA and asked for a relocation voucher. The PHA refused
her request. Even worse, the PHA told Ms. G that she had
abandoned her unit and would be cut her off the voucher
program if she did not return to the apartment. Living on a
fixed disability income and unable to afford market rent,
she didn’t know where to turn. She assumed she would
have to give up her voucher since she felt unsafe returning.
That’s when she was referred to SLLS by her New Orleans Family Justice Center case manager.

We immediately realized the PHA was in violation of the law under the Violence against
Women Act (VAWA). We gathered the necessary documents to prove Ms. G’s eligibility for
VAWA protection and an emergency voucher. We presented this to the PHA and they
overturned their prior decision. Ms. G. was issued a new voucher. She found a safe, new home
for family and is no longer in danger of having her housing voucher terminated.

Securing Access to Home Health Services to Support Aging in Place

Janice worked hard all her life, but times had
gotten tougher since her husband passed away and
her health began to deteriorate. Now 68 years old
and living on a fixed income, she needed Medicaid
to take care of her worsening health conditions.
She applied for it, but was rejected.

The local senior center referred her to SLLS. We
developed the case and submitted a request for
reconsideration to the Medicaid office. We also
asked that Janice be approved for home health
care services under a special program. We won. Janice is now getting the health care supports
she needs to remain living in her home and the health insurance she needs. The economic
benefit of these resources to Janice was $27,228 annually.

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Civil Legal Aid Helps Domestic Violence Survivor Overcome Trauma

For years, Mrs. B. was beaten, and berated by her
husband. She had become isolated in her rural
community after quitting her job to homeschool her
children, two of whom had special needs. She knew she
needed to end the relationship but had no means of
economic support. She finally sought legal help from
SLLS after her husband put a gun to his head and
threatened to kill himself on Christmas Day in front of
their children.

An SLLS attorney immediately helped her get a
protective order and defended her rights in courts.
With our help, the court approved Mrs. B. as the
domiciliary parent of children, was awarded $1,700 per month in child support, and granted use
of both the family home and the van. Now Mrs. B. has the security she needs to move forward
and protect her family from future harm.

SLLS Helps Lessen Tragedy

After his sister passed away from a brain tumor, Mr. J
had been providing a loving home in rural Bogalusa
for his niece. He had a positive and loving
relationship with his niece’s paternal relatives, except
for her father. The father was a drug addict living in a
house with no running water or gas. His niece’s
father came in the night to try to take Mr. J’s niece
away. The police were called.

The police did not remove his niece from Mr. J.’s care that night but told him he needed legal
custody. Mr. J. and other family members believed that his niece’s father only decided to try to
take his daughter back after he learned she was receiving Social Security benefits from her
deceased mother. Mr. J.’s niece begged not to have to go live with her father as he had never
been involved in her life, she felt she barely knew him, and his home was not stable. She
wanted to stay with Mr. J. who had been an active and engaged informal guardian helping her
through the traumatic death of her mother.

Mr. J. sought help from SLLS to gain legal custody of his niece so that he could continue
providing for her well-being. We filed a non-parent custody suit in court to ensure the
continued stability of this family. The court ruled in Mr. J.’s favor ordering him sole custody of
his niece. Thanks to the help of SLLS, a little girl who suffered the loss of her mother was able to
stay in a loving home to support her throughout her life.

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Highlights from 2018 SLLS Impact Advocacy

In Second Zion Baptist Church v. Jones, the 4th
Circuit reversed an eviction judgment for having
a dog in violation of a no pets rule, where the
animal was an emotional support dog. Our
client was a person living with disabilities who
participated in the Louisiana Permanent
Supportive Housing program. She had paid a pet
deposit. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal held
that the landlord failed to prove that the dog
presented any threat to the health and safety of
other residents. In addition, the court held that
where a lease requires a notice to cure, that
notice must be separate from the notice to vacate.

Three SLLS clients using vouchers at the same apartment complex sought assistance from SLLS
regarding health-harming living conditions in their homes. Their units had mold and water
damage which the landlord refused to repair. Though their units repeatedly failed housing
inspections because of these conditions, the landlord failed to make required repairs or to
voluntarily release the tenants from their leases. SLLS Housing Law Unit attorneys teamed up
with the New Orleans office of Adams & Reese law firm to tackle affirmative litigation against
the landlord. Adams & Reese generously agreed to co-counsel the case on a pro bono basis. By
the end of 2018, settlements were obtained for two clients of about $9,500 and $14,000. At the
time of this report, the last case was about to settle. Taking on affirmative litigation in housing
conditions cases is critical to helping end defective living conditions.

We advocated for and obtained systemic
changes at the Social Security office in New
Orleans to ensure people with severe
disabilities who are homeless - not just our
clients but all who are homeless in our area -
can obtain disability benefits they are entitled
to more quickly, moving our city a step closer
to ending chronic homelessness.

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SLLS 2018 Honors

The Federal Bar Association New Orleans Chapter
honored SLLS Litigation Director David Williams
with the Camille Gravel Public Service Bro Bono
Award.

Pictured left to right: Doug Carey, SLLS Family Law Unit Managing
Attorney, Roxanne Newman, SLLS Deputy Director, Elena Perez, SLLS Pro
Bono Unit Managing Attorney, David Williams, SLLS Litigation Director,
Gwynne Mashon, SLLS Director of Development & Strategic Advocacy,
and Steve Reed, SLLS Staff Attorney.

SLLS Managing Attorney Paul Tuttle received the
2018 Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) Career
Public Interest Award at the Louisiana Supreme
Court for his lifelong dedication to improving the
lives of vulnerable people during his tenure at SLLS.

Pictured: Paul Tuttle, Managing Attorney of SLLS’ Low-Income
Taxpayer Unit

The SLLS led Flood Proof Project received
the LSBA Legal Service Innovation Award
for developing our five partner disaster
title clearing collaborative. The project
helped 337 disaster impacted homeowners
access almost $9 million in recovery funds,
insurance proceeds, and other economic
benefits to rebuild after the 2016 floods in
the greater Baton Rouge area.

Pictured left to right: Robert Kutcher, LSBA President, LSU
Law School Associate Dean Andrea Carroll, Gerren Sias,
Louisiana Appleseed, Laura Tuggle, SLLS, Robin Kay, Baton
Rouge Bar Association, and Judy Perry Martinez, ABA
Center for Innovation

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Increasing Access to Justice for All through Technology Innovation

SLLS continued to expand justice to all by operating the statewide free legal information
website Louisianalawhelp.org with resources available in both Spanish and English. We also
posted legal alerts through our website and Facebook page.

Statewide Public 204,000 About 500,000
Information Website Unique Site Page Views

www.LouisianaLawhelp.org Users

www.slls.org 28,462 Unique About 113,000
Site Visitors Page Views

SLLS’ Technology Projects Coordinator recruits, trains, and supervises "LiveHelp" navigators
from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. The navigators help people
find information on LouisianaLawHelp.org. Law Student Volunteers use instant messaging
software to communicate in real time with hundreds of visitors to LouisianaLawHelp.org. For
more information or to become a volunteer please contact Lisa Stansky at [email protected].

SLLS Awarded Two Technology Initiative Grants

SLLS was awarded two Legal Services Corporation
Technology Initiative Grants (TIG). Both will provide
greater access to quality legal information for low-
income people.

The first TIG will allow SLLS to streamline and update
LouisianaLawHelp.org. The project will refresh the look
of the site, improve navigation, and boost access for
mobile device users. SLLS also hosted its first ever
Access to Justice Technology Fellow to help with the
website project.

Our other TIG will allow us to develop interactive
online forms to help pro se litigants with consumer debt and simple divorce cases. The project
will also develop instructional “LibGuides” to help librarians refer pro se litigants to legal
information.

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Self Help Desks Help Address Unrepresented Litigant Crisis

Near 2010, with shrinking funding for civil legal aid, the number of self-represented litigants
rose to as high as 65% in many courts across the country including Louisiana. The civil justice
system found it needed new ways to provide some level of help for people without an attorney
especially in family law cases. Local court partnerships with civil legal aid, bar associations, and
other organizations started self-help desks or courthouse kiosks with self-help resources.

In Louisiana, civil legal aid and pro bono programs began operating self-help desks several years
ago. These desks now serve thousands of people annually. SLLS usually places the self-help
desks it operates in rural areas where it does not have an office or where it runs a pro bono
project. Through the support of the Louisiana Bar Foundation, the United Way of Southeast
Louisiana, and the United Way of St. Charles Parish, SLLS started pilot self-help desks. These
and other resources have allowed SLLS to continue operations beyond initial startup.

22nd Judicial 17th Judicial St. Charles
District District Parish Access to

Washington Parish Lafourche Parish Justice Center
Self-Help Desk Self-Help Desk
St. Charles Parish
St. Tammany Parish Self-Help Desk
Self-Help Desk

24th Judicial 32nd Judicial
District District

Jefferson Parish Terrebonne Parish
Domestic Violence Self-Help Desk

Self-Help Desk

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Community Outreach

SLLS staff and volunteers participated in 139 community outreach and legal education efforts in
2018, including Ask- a- Lawyer Programs, Wills for Heroes events, Council on Aging
presentations, monthly veterans outreach events, community-based legal clinics, and more. In
2018, 15,604 people were served through our 2018 community events and dissemination of
legal information and resources.

SLLS’s Northshore Pro Bono Project’s LSBA Disaster Relief Event
Volunteers for Veterans Legal Clinic



“Wills for Heroes” Event for First Responders, Delgado Community College Single Stop,
in partnership with 22nd JDC, St. Tammany Staff Attorney Rebecca Holmes & Entergy,
Parish Sherriff Office, and LSBA Young Lawyers Inc. Paralegal Volunteer Rebecca Favalora
Division with support from Capital One Bank. at Delgado Outreach Event

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Making a Difference Through Pro Bono

Baton Rouge Bar SLLS Northsore The Pro Bono
Association Pro Bono Project Project

1,432 Closed Cases

SLLS Incubator 4,782.36 Hours Donated in SLLS Low-
Pro Bono 2018 Income Tax
Payer Clinic
$717,354 Market Value
Project

Law Students Make Lasting Contributions

SLLS is fortunate to have law clerks assisting in the delivery of civil legal aid from Loyola, LSU,
Southern, and Tulane Law Schools. We also host law students from schools across the country
during alternate spring and winter breaks. This nationwide interest in volunteering at SLLS
started as an outpouring of support after Hurricane Katrina and continues today. In 2018, law
students provided over 10,000 hours of service valued at $150,000. Special thanks to all these
dedicated future lawyers and their schools in supporting our work for vulnerable clients.

Mark Surprenant, SLLS Board of Directors President, welcomes the SLLS 2018 cohort of
summer law students at the Louisiana State Bar Association.

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Distinguished Access to Justice Pro Bono Fellows Program

In 2018, the Louisiana State Bar Association began its Distinguished Access to Justice Pro Bono
Fellows Program, the second program of its kind in the nation. This program is designed for
lawyers and judges who have transitioned from their positions or who are currently in the
process of doing so. Distinguished Fellows commit to devoting at least 20 hours per month of
access to justice service. SLLS is pleased to have been an inaugural host site for this new
program and to continue our participation in partnership with two outstanding Distinguished
Fellows.

Judy Perry Martinez, Of Counsel for Simon,
Peragine, Smith, & Redfearn and incoming ABA
President, served as the 2018 Distinguished Fellow
for SLLS. Judy worked with SLLS on a variety of
projects, including the Flood Proof Project,
technological advancement in supporting rural
clients, and supporting other efforts to enhance
our capacity. She offered invaluable support
throughout SLLS’ 50th anniversary year.

Pictured from left to right: Mark Surprenant, SLLS President,
Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Bernette Johnson, Judy
Perry Martinez, SLLS Distinguished Fellow, and Laura Tuggle,
SLLS Executive Director

Terrel J. Broussard is currently serving as SLLS’
2019 Distinguished Fellow. He was previously a
judge pro tempore on the Louisiana Fourth Circuit
Court of Appeal and is an attorney and mediator at
Broussard Dispute Solutions. Mr. Broussard is
supporting SLLS in efforts to expand outreach to
senior citizens by offering legal clinics through the
New Orleans Council on Aging. Terrel is also
helping SLLS engage additional volunteers in
partnership with the Greater New Orleans Chapter
of the Louis A. Martinet Society.

Pictured: Terrel J. Broussard, SLLS Distinguished Fellow

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SLLS in Action as Access to Justice Leader

Bar leaders, civil legal aid directors, Louisiana
Appleseed, and the LSBA Access to Justice
Program joined together at the inaugural Civil
Legal Aid Day at the Capital to educate
legislators and the public about the importance
of civil legal aid to strengthening our state.

Pictured from left to right: Laura Tuggle, SLLS Executive
Director, Greg Landry, Executive Director Acadiana Legal
Services, Christy Kane, former Executive Director Louisiana
Appleseed, and Monte Mollere, LSBA Access to Justice
Director in Louisiana State Senate

2018 ABA/NLADA Equal Justice Conference
Louisiana Delegation

Pictured from left to right: Josette Gossen, Executive
Director, Lafayette Bar Association, Jean Hill, 15th JDC
Lafayette Staff Attorney, Sachida Rahman, Acadiana Legal
Services, Deputy Director, Monte Mollere, LSBA Access to
Justice Director, Dave Lancer, Louisiana Civil Justice
Center, Elena Perez, SLLS Pro Bono Program Managing
Attorney, Amy Duncan, LSBA Special Projects Counsel,
Marilyn Lopez, Lafayette Volunteer Lawyers Program Pro
Bono Coordinator, and Roxanne Newman, SLLS Deputy
Director

Last May, SLLS joined bar leaders, public interest
staff, pro bono programs, judges, and other
stakeholders to focus on improving the impact
of pro bono at Louisiana’s first ever Louisiana
State Bar Pro Bono Summit. SLLS participated
on a panel to share how it was changing its
approach to pro bono through an LSC Pro Bono
Transformation Grant.

Pictured: 2018 Pro Bono Summit Participants

SLLS Executive Director & LSC Disaster
Task Force member Laura Tuggle spoke
at LSC’s first Disaster Task Force field
hearing about civil legal aid’s importance.

Pictured: SLLS Executive Director Laura Tuggle (left)
with Saundra Brown (right), manager of the Disaster
Relief Unit at Lone Star Legal Aid

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Cultivating the Next Generation of Justice Leaders

Louisiana New Orleans Bar Equal Justice
Bar Association (NOBA) & Works
Veteran
Foundation NOBA Foundation
Child Welfare Veteran Justice Public Legal Corps
& MLP Fellows Interest Law Fellowship Fellow

Loyola Law Protecting the Tulane Law
School Most School Lutz
Fellowships
Social Justice Vulnerable & Child in Need of
Fellowship Developing Care & Domestic
Future Justice
Violence
Leaders

Berkeley
Fellowship
Re-Entry &
Housing Justice

With generous support from local and national organizations, SLLS hosts innovative Fellowship projects
to respond to urgent community needs. The New Orleans Bar Association and the New Orleans Bar
Foundation currently fund a Veterans Justice Fellowship and the Equal Justice Works Foundation
supports a Veterans Legal Corps Fellow to address the unmet legal needs of vulnerable veterans. Two
Tulane Law School Lutz Fellows and a Loyola Law School Gills Long Social Justice Fellow help address
critical needs of domestic violence victims and abused children. Two Louisiana Bar Foundation (LBF)
Fellowships expanded legal services to vulnerable populations. Our first ever Berkeley Public Law
Foundation Fellowship enabled SLLS to fight for housing justice for returning citizens.

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“2018 Bar Exam”

Thanks to our Sponsors & Donors!

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Resources and Finances

For every $1 invested in civil legal aid in Louisiana, our communities receive a $9.13 social
return on investment. This includes emergency services, law enforcement, healthcare, justice
returns, and other public cost savings. For nearly the past 15 years, Louisiana was one of only
three states that provided no line item statewide appropriation for civil legal aid in its state
budget. That’s why strong support from our funders and donors is so important. Because of
you, we were able to impact the lives of 25,515 vulnerable people across Southeast Louisiana in
2018. Thousands more were helped through our community outreach and technology projects.

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Thank You 2018 Funders!

 19th Judicial Family  Edward Wisner  New Orleans Chapter

Court for the Parish of Foundation Federal Bar Association

East Baton Rouge  Equal Justice Works  Plaquemines Council on

 21st Judicial District Foundation Aging

Court (Tangipahoa,  Entergy Services Inc.  Public Interest Law

Livingston, St. Helena)  Gillis W. Long Poverty Foundation (Berkley School

 22nd Judicial District Law Center of Law)

Court (St. Tammany and  Healing Place Church  Single Stop USA (Delgado
Washington)
 Hope Center, Inc. Community College)
 24th Judicial District
 Internal Revenue Service  St. Charles Council on Aging
Court for the Parish of (Low Income Taxpayer  St. Helena Clerk of Court

Jefferson Clinic)  St. James Council on Aging

 34th Judicial District  Irene W. and C.B.  St. John Council on Aging

Court (St. Bernard) Pennington Foundation  St. Tammany Council on

 AmazonSmile  Jefferson Parish Office of Aging (COAST)

Foundation Community Development  Start Corporation,, Inc.

 American College of  Lafourche Parish Council  Substance Abuse and

Bankruptcy Foundation on Aging Mental Health Services

 American College of  Legal Services Administration

Trial Lawyers Corporation  Terrebonne Council on

Foundation  Livingston Council on Aging

 Baptist Community Aging  Terrebonne Parish

Ministries  Livingston Parish Clerk of Consolidated Government

 Baton Rouge Area Court  U.S. Department of Housing

Foundation  Louisiana Bar Foundation and Urban Development

 Baton Rouge City Court  Louisiana Commission on  U.S. Department of Justice
  Law Enforcement 
 Civil District Court  U.S. Department of
Loyola University New  Veterans Affairs' Supportive
 Bureau of Justice  Orleans College of Law  Services for Veteran
Assistance  
 Lutz Family Foundation Families (SSVF)
Capital Area Agency on (Tulane University School
 Aging of Law) United Way of St. Charles
United Way of Southeast
Capital Area Alliance for New Orleans Bar Louisiana
the Homeless Association/Foundation West Tennessee Legal
Services
City of New Orleans New Orleans Artists
(Emergency Solutions & Against Hunger and
Re-Entry Grants)

 East Baton Rouge Homelessness

Council on Aging

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You Can Increase Access to Justice in Southeast Louisiana

Make a Donation Today.

Your donation to SLLS helps ensure families can escape abuse, keep their homes, become self-
sufficient, and access health and education services they need to succeed. The demand for our
services continues to grow at a pace that outstrips resources. Your support makes it possible for
SLLS to respond to urgent needs like helping crime victims, supporting disaster survivors, and
helping support children impacted by the opioid epidemic. You can join our community of
donors by making a gift today at: https://slls.org/donations/. A donation of at least $1,000 will
include membership in SLLS’ new Circle of Justice. To learn more about our Circle of Justice,
please visit: https://slls.org/about-us/celebrating-50-years-news-letter-sign-up/.

Or your tax-deductible donation can be mailed to:

Southeast Louisiana Legal Services
P.O. Drawer 2867
Hammond, Louisiana 70404

Interested in Volunteering with SLLS?

We are always in need of law students, attorneys, undergraduates, and other volunteers. Email
[email protected] to learn more about how you can join our fight for justice.

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Thanks to all of our 2018 donors for your generous support! You helped us fulfill our mission of
achieving justice for low-income people in twenty-two parishes in Southeast Louisiana. Please accept

our apologies for any omissions or errors.

Thank You 2018 Donors!

 Mr. David Abbenante  Gainsburgh Benjamin David Meunier &
 Mr. Richard Adams Warshauer LLC
 Adams and Reese LLP
 The Honorable Candice Bates-Anderson  Gilsbar
 Mr. Stephen Armbruster  The Honorable Hunter Greene
 Ms. Mary Audiffred  Ms. Caryn Groedel
 Ms. Laura Avery  Ms. Vivian Guillory
 Mr. Clyde Babylon  Ms. Caitrin Gladow
 Mr. George Baker  Mr. Mark Goldstein
 Mr. George Boesch  Goldstein & Bendana LLC
 Mr. Jude Bratman  Ms. Amanda Golob
 Ms. Jessica Braun  Ms. Catharine Gracia
 Mr. Douglas Carey  Mr. David Handelman
 Mr. Michael Casey  Ms. Maureen Harbourt
 Ms. Robin Cassedy  Ms. Autumn Harrell
 Mr. Nathan Cataline  Ms. Stephanie Hartman
 Ms. Paula Charles  Mr. Charlie Hayes
 Ms. Miriam Childs  Mr. Stephen Herman
 Ms. Tessa Cluck  Herman, Herman, & Katz LLC
 Gianluca Cocito-Monoc  Ms. Nicole Hershey
 Ms. Elana Cohen  Mr. Phu Ho
 Ms. Johnell Colbert  Dr. Chin Chin Ho Moreau
 Ms. Megan Colyer  Ms. Lila Hogan
 Ardis Cotter  Hogan Attorneys
 The Honorable Bernadette D’Souza &  The Honorable Paulette Irons
 Dr. Terence D’Souza  Irwin Fritchie Urquhart & Moore LLC
 Ms. Jennifer Deasy  Mr. Jay Jalenak
 Degan, Blanchard & Nash  Ms. Andrea Jeanmarie
 Mr. Charles Delbaum  Ms. Susan Johnson
 Ms. Alexis Depp  Chief Justice Bernette Johnson
 Ms. Betsy Dienes  Ms. Jane Johnson & Mr. David Marcello
 Duplantier, Hrapmann, Hogan & Maher  Jasmine Consulting LLC
 Ms. Jennifer Eagan  Blake Jones Law Firm LLC
 Ms. Nora Ellertsen  Jones Walker LLP
 Mr. Michael Eppenbach  Ms. Regina Joseph
 Mr. Adam Feibelman  Ms. Amanda Kaiser
 Ms. Chelsea Fitzgerald  Ms. Christy Kane
 Mr. Eric Foley  Mr. Kyle Keenan
 Mr. Nic Footer  Ms. April Kennedy

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 Ms. Claire Kent  Mr. Christopher Ralston

 Ms. Sue Kohn  Mr. Alan Raphael

 Mr. Andrew Kopplin  Ms. Nicole Rezza

 The Honorable Ivan L.R. Lemelle  Ms. Tara Richard

 Mr. Josh Lichtman  Ms. Elisabeth Rietvelt

 Mr. Dylan Lintern  Ms. Nicole Roberts

 Mr. Brandt Lorio  Ms. Theresa Robertson

 Lowe, Stein, Hoffman, Allweiss, &  Mr. Steven Scheckman
Hauver LLP
 Ms. Rebecca Schiller
 Loyola University New Orleans College of Law  Ms. Stacy Seicshnaydre
 Ms. Ellen Lu
 Ms. M.A. Sheehan
 Ms. Eileen Lumar-Johnson
 Shuart & Associates
 Ms. Janet MacDonell
 Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn
 Ms. Marion MacKenzie
 Ms. Jena Smith
 Ms. Cheryl Magee
 Ms. Allison Spindler
 Ms. Cindy Mandina
 Mr. Mark Surprenant & Mrs. Monica
 Mr. Frank Marcello Surprenant

 Ms. Danielle Marshall  Mr. Paul Tabary

 Ms. Judy Perry Martinez & Mr. Rene Martinez  Mr. Charles Tate

 Ms. Gwynne & Mr. Matthew Mashon  Ms. Ann Theriot

 Mr. Michael Massimi  Ms. Adrienne Thomas

 Ms. Betty Maury  Ms. Cynthia Thomas

 Ms. Diana Mercer  Ms. Lynnette Tillis

 Ms. Rachael Mills  Tulane University Law School

 Ms. Marie Mineo  Ms. Laura Tuggle

 Ms. Andreanecia Morris  Mr. Paul Tuttle

 Mr. Theodore Nass  USI Insurance Services

 Ms. Roxanne Newman  M. R. Patrick Vance & The Honorable Sarah S.

 Ms. Loi Nguyen Vance

 Mr. Timothy Nguyen  Ms. Danielle Vasquez-Corpus

 Ms. Nga Nguyen  Ms. Delaney Vollmer

 Ms. Maria Nunez  The Honorable Zorraine Waguespack

 Ms. Marsha Oliver  Ms. Plezetta West

 Mr. Garrett Orgeron  Ms. Adrienne Wheeler

 Mr. Robert Owens  Ms. Rachael Whitley

 Pandit Law  Ms. Sarah Whittington

 Ms. Jade Patton  Ms. Sherri Wilder

 JD Perez  Mr. David Williams

 Ms. Elena Perez  Ms. Joy Willig

 Phelps Dunbar LLP  Ms. Christina Wright

 Ms. Mary Pichon  Ms. Katherine Yeargain

 Ms. Rachel Piercey  Ms. Mary Zeppa

 Mr. Paul Pugliese

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Thank You to Our In-Kind Supporters!

 Abita Roasting Company in Covington  New Orleans Athletic Club
 Adventure Quest Laser Tag  New Orleans Baby Cakes
 AMC Theaters  New Orleans Boulder Lounge
 Audubon Nature Institute  New Orleans Food & Spirits
 Belle Terre Country Club  New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)
 Cattycar Corner  New Orleans Saints
 Chimes Restaurant  New Orleans Shakespeare Festival
 Cigna  NITA
 City Putt Miniature Golf Course  NOLA Brewing
 Coffee Rani  NOPSI Hotel
 Costco  Painting With A Twist
 Courtyard Marriott  Party City
 Daily Beet  Power Miller Track Club
 Di Martino’s  Punchline Conversion Copywriting
 Don’s Seafood  Queer Mountain
 Eiffel Society  Ram Computers
 Gray Line Attractions  Reginelli’s Pizza
 Fred Herman Law Firm  Rooster Club Barbers of New Orleans
 The Home Depot  Saenger Theater
 Hyatt House  Salt of the Earth Catering
 International Paper  Seven-Three Distillery
 Italian Pie  Sticky Rice
 Kaplan Bar Review  Tulane Summer Lyric Theater
 Kendra Scott  Urban South
 Claire and David Kent  Walk-Ons
 Liberty Cheesesteaks  Wayfare
 Lowe’s  Westlaw
 Mandina’s Restaurant  Wild Lotus Yoga
 Midway Pizza  Windsor Court
 Milk Bar  WWII Museum
 Museum of Death  Ye Olde College Inn and Rock N’ Bowl
 Network for Good

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The SLLS Board of Directors thanks

you for your support!

Mark Surprenant, President

Joseph Ballard, Vice-President
Lila Arsan, Second Vice-President
Christopher Ralston, Secretary
Jennifer Van Metre, Treasurer
Regina Joseph, Assistant Treasurer
Mary Barrios
Lauren Bridges
Ashely Greenhouse
Vivian Guillory
Kerrie Haro
Brandt Lorio
Warren McKenna III
Joel Miller
Paul Tabary
Claudette Warren
Patrick Yancey

www.slls.org

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2018 Annual Report