The Jefferson Parish Library, in partnership with the Louisiana State Bar Association and the Louisiana Library Association, will present its fifth annual “Lawyers in Libraries” statewide program from 1 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 23, at the Gretna Library, 102 Willow Drive, Gretna.

“Lawyers in Libraries” is celebrated during the week of Oct. 22-27 in conjunction with National Celebrate Pro Bono Week. During this week, Louisiana attorneys will provide free, limited legal services to the public in libraries across the state. This event is free of charge and is open to the public.

Attorney Jeremy Epstein make a presentation that focuses on divorce, custody and support matters. He will also provide free individual consultations on legal issues, including the following.

• Bankruptcy
• Civil Lawsuits
• Collection matters
• Custody
• Divorce
• Evictions
• FEMA/Disaster Benefits
• Food Stamps
• Foreclosures
• Housing
• Medicaid
• Social Security
• SSI/SSDI
• Successions
• Taxes
• Wills

According to the LSBA, Louisiana has the third highest poverty rate in the nation. Every year, tens of thousands of people in Louisiana who live below the federal poverty line go without assistance for their basic legal issues. “Lawyers in Libraries” has assisted more than 3,000 Louisianans in public libraries and reached patrons in every parish in the state.

“The LSBA is committed to helping courts and our members to better serve the public,” says Barry H. Grodsky, President of the LSBA. “Through our Access to Justice program, we work with a broad, statewide network that includes local bar associations, court-based assistance programs, legal aid and pro bono organizations, and many community partners including public libraries.

For more information about this program, contact Chris Smith, Manager of Adult Programs, at 504-889-8143, or wcsmith@jplibrary.net.