Wisconsin Judicare

Wisconsin Judicare's private attorney involvement and civil unit provides legal advice, referrals, and extended representation to financially-eligible people in northern Wisconsin who are unable to pay for legal services in civil (non-criminal) cases. During the year Wisconsin Judicare's private attorneys handled 2,008 cases, of which 284 were litigated in court.the mission of Wisconsin Judicare, Inc. [Judicare] is to provide legal assistance to those who otherwise cannot afford it. Judicare is committed to providing high quality legal services. Judicare has staff that provides direct representation, as well as education for clients and their families, providing rights and responsibilities under the law. Staff members also provide education to the bar and the community in ways to address the diverse needs of our service population. During this fiscal year, Judicare provided legal services in 2,128 cases in various subjects. The breakdown of those subjects is below. To provide these services Judicare used the services of twenty-one paid staff attorneys and 165 private attorneys and lay advocates. Judicare's work benefits the public in many ways. Cases move more quickly and more efficiently through the justice system when an attorney represents a litigant. By providing attorneys to represent litigants, Judicare assists in alleviating stress on the legal system. Judicare also plays a part in halting or reducing the effects of violence and removing barriers for victims of violence, which allows victims to become more productive members of society. Judicare's staff assists the community at large by helping victims to obtain protective orders, receive job training, obtain employment, and no longer receive welfare. Finally, as Judicare is a recipient of federal legal service corporation funds, there is no longer a prohibition from requesting and receiving attorney fee awards. The legal services corporation regulations regarding this requirement were modified in december 2009. Judicare does not collect fees for services from clients. 102 bankruptcy40 collection11 contracts3 creditor harrassment9 loans4 unfair & deceptive services4 other consumer1 suspension1 other education5 employment discrimination2 wage claims and other flsa (fair labor standards act)5 earned income tax credit146 taxes22 employee rights2 other employment181 custody320 divorce4 adult guardianship4 paternity79 domestic abuse7 child support14 other family18 delinquent7 neglect & abuse of juvenile18 minor guardianship12 medicaid2 medicare1 long term health care facilities2 state and local health36 federally subsidized housing22 homeownership238 private landlord/tenant52 public housing43 mobile homes3 housing discrimination51 mortgage not predatory lending practices3 mortgage predatory lending practices11 other housing12 food share31 ssdi95 ssi198 unemployment compensation8 state & local income maintenance10 other income maintenance7 mental health17 criminal record expungement5 pardons104 other individual rights8 indian law12 licenses5 torts79 wills & estates18 powers of attorney1 municipal legal needs21 tribal court criminal12 other miscellaneous

Wisconsin Judicare's indian law office provides legal advice, referrals, and extended representation to financially-eligible native americans enrolled in one of the eleven federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin and who are unable to pay for legal services in civil (non-criminal) and tribal (non-criminal and criminal) cases. During the year Wisconsin Judicare's indian law office handled 120 cases, of which 33 were litigated in court.