Business Details
48 Years
experience
Free Civil Legal Services for Louisiana Residents
Acadiana Legal Svc (ALSC) has been a steadfast advocate for low-income individuals and families in Louisiana since 1978. Our mission centers on bridging the justice gap by providing free civil legal services to those facing urgent legal challenges, including housing instability, domestic violence, and public benefits disputes. With a dedicated team of attorneys and staff, we operate across 42 parishes, prioritizing community-driven solutions that stabilize families and protect vulnerable populations. Our approach combines direct legal representation with outreach initiatives, including mobile justice services and partnerships with local organizations, to ensure equitable access to justice. Guided by core values of respect, compassion, and integrity, we navigate complex legal systems on behalf of clients while empowering them through educational resources and self-advocacy tools.Over four decades of service have solidified our reputation as a trusted legal aid provider, with strategic expansions increasing our service area from 6 to 42 parishes. We maintain rigorous professional standards through compliance with funding regulations and transparent grievance procedures, ensuring accountability to both clients and donors. Our collaborative model engages pro bono attorneys and community partners to amplify impact, while financial stewardship enables efficient allocation of limited resources to address the most pressing legal needs.
Services
Family Law
Housing Issues
Public Benefits
Disaster Recovery
Consumer Law
Estate Planning
Child Advocacy
Eviction Defense
Legal Education
Pro Bono Coordination
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- We have provided free legal aid in Louisiana since 1978
- Our services cover 42 parishes across central and north Louisiana
- We offer specialized legal representation in housing and family law
- Our mobile justice buses reach rural and underserved communities
- We maintain strict compliance with legal aid funding regulations
What people say
Lifesaving legal support
Compassionate family law guidance
Effective disaster recovery help
Dedicated child advocacy
Accessible rural outreach
Services
Family Law
We provide comprehensive legal representation in domestic violence protection, divorce proceedings, child custody disputes, and intra-family adoptions. Our attorneys prioritize client safety while navigating complex family court systems. Services include emergency protective orders, custody mediation, and support modification cases.
Housing Issues
Our housing specialists defend tenants against wrongful evictions, unsafe living conditions, and housing discrimination. We assist with landlord disputes, habitability claims, and housing subsidy program compliance. Legal interventions often prevent family homelessness through court-ordered repairs or eviction prevention.
Disaster Recovery
Post-disaster services address property damage claims, insurance disputes, and document restoration after hurricanes or floods. We help clients navigate FEMA applications, insurance settlements, and property succession issues that block rebuilding efforts in affected communities.
Public Benefits
We assist with public benefits applications and appeals for programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and disability benefits. Legal support includes representation at administrative hearings and guidance through complex eligibility requirements to ensure clients receive entitled assistance.
Consumer Law
Our consumer law practice addresses debt collection defense, credit report errors, and predatory lending issues. We help clients with bankruptcy alternatives, debt negotiation, and estate planning to protect financial stability and establish legal legacies for future generations.
People
Sachida R. Raman
Executive Director
Sachida R. Raman leads ALSC's strategic operations with over 20 years of legal aid experience. She oversees service delivery across 42 parishes while managing state and federal grant compliance.
George D. Ernest III
Board President
George D. Ernest III chairs ALSC's board with extensive nonprofit governance experience. He provides strategic oversight while maintaining community partnerships that expand the organization's service capacity.
Thomas H. Fields, III
Litigation Director
Thomas H. Fields, III directs ALSC's litigation strategy with expertise in complex civil cases. He supervises attorneys handling housing, family law, and disaster recovery cases across multiple jurisdictions.
Franchesca Hamilton - Acker
Child Advocacy Director
Franchesca Hamilton - Acker specializes in child protection cases, representing vulnerable minors in dependency and neglect proceedings. She ensures legal safeguards for children during traumatic family court interventions.
Avis Gutekunst
Chief Financial Officer
Avis Gutekunst manages ALSC's financial operations with focus on grant compliance and resource optimization. She oversees budgeting for legal services that assist over 10,000 Louisianans annually.
Questions
What areas of law does ALSC handle?
We specialize in family law, housing rights, public benefits, disaster recovery, and consumer law cases for low-income Louisianans.
How can I check eligibility for services?
Complete our online application or call during intake hours to determine if your income qualifies under federal poverty guidelines.
Do you handle criminal cases?
We only provide civil legal services. Our partners can connect you with criminal defense resources if needed.
Are services available outside office hours?
Online applications operate 24/7, but phone consultations require scheduling during our weekday intake hours.
How does disaster legal aid work?
We assist with post-disaster housing claims, insurance disputes, and document restoration to help families rebuild after emergencies.
Can I volunteer as an attorney?
Our pro bono program accepts licensed Louisiana attorneys to handle family law, expungement, and succession cases through local bar partnerships.
