Consumer Law
Contact: Jay Speer
Phone: 804-782-9430 ext. 12
Fax: 804-649-0974
E-mail: jay [at] vplc [dot] org
Overview
Advocacy
The Virginia Poverty Law Center tracks the progress of consumer-related legislation through the General Assembly, consults with case handlers about the possible impact of proposed legislation, and provides input to committees and individual legislators and other advocacy groups on how a particular bill may affect our clients. The staff issues reports on the outcome of the legislative session.
Training
The Virginia Poverty Law Center conducts annual training workshops for attorneys that are new to the legal aid network, and for attorneys in private law firms who do pro bono work for legal aid clients. The Center also conducts an annual conference for legal aid attorneys and others who serve our clients. The conference features workshops dealing with the various areas covered by case handlers. Most of the workshops provide CLE credits.
Representation
For assistance, call the local legal aid office that serves your area or call 1-866-534-5243 to be connected with your local legal aid office. As a statewide support organization for local legal aid programs and their staff, we do not generally handle individual cases except when asked to act as co-counsel with a legal aid attorney. On a case-by-case basis, however, VPLC may be available to provide direct legal representation in matters involving complicated or innovative legal issues.