ANC Glendale, ABA, NLS partnership continues to Provide Free Access to Legal Help

Glendale, CA—The Armenian National Committee of Glendale in partnership with the Armenian Bar Association and Neighborhood Legal Services of LA County held its second free legal clinic on August 18th at the Glendale Youth Center. The event drew as many as 100 community members who were given opportunity to consult with attorneys regarding a wide range of legal issues.

“We once again had a fantastic turnout and are grateful to the ABA, NLS, all the attorneys and volunteers who made the second clinic such a great success,” stated Executive Director of ANC Glendale, Elen Asatryan. “Most participants had issues pertaining to immigration and landlord-tenant, while many others had concerns and questions about accumulated debt. Having such an overwhelming number of community members coming in with the same types of issues also gives us an opportunity to think of various potential programs that our organization can implement to provide much needed services and solutions to our community members,” added Asatryan.

The clinic provided community members an opportunity to receive guidance from attorneys in various areas of law including  immigration, landlord/tenant, civil, small claims, family law, criminal matters, trusts, will and estates.   After the intake process was completed, individuals were assigned to meet with and discuss their issue with an attorney on a one on one basis.  The attorneys offered information and assistance only. Where a referral was requested, an approved list from the Los Angeles County Bar Association and Glendale Bar Association was provided. Helpful information handouts were also provided to the community members, including legal information pamphlets in English and Armenian.

“The Glendale Free Legal Clinic is a great example of how community based organizations and private attorneys can work together to provide important services for the community.  We believe that the number of attendees is a testament to the need for increased access to legal services and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the Armenian National Committee and the Armenian Bar Association to provide these services,” noted NLS Dickran Tevrizian Fellow, Alina Azizian.

Volunteer attorneys included Varoujan Agemian, Benjamin Aydinzhyan, Sarkis Babachanian, Sara Bedirian, Garbis Etmekjian, Garo Ghazarian, Victor Hairapetian,  Armen Hovannisian, Raymond Hovsepian, Betty Jamgotchian, Saro Kerkonian,  Manya Lefian, Leonard Manoukian, Nigol Manoukian, Hovanes Margarian, Edvin Minassian, Sarkis Ourfalian, Vicken Simonian, Alice Yardum-Hunter, and Raymond Zakari.

“The second installment of our free legal clinic was again a tremendous success due to the unselfish contribution of many of our members who volunteered for the sole purpose of helping their community,” stated ABA Executive Director, Jacklin Boyadjian.

A number of volunteers from the ANCG, AYF Glendale and NLS were on hand at the clinic to greet community members, assist them with the intake process as well as assign appropriate attorneys. Where needed, the volunteers also served as interpreters.

ANCG, ABA, and NLS will continue to host free legal clinics the third Wednesday of every other month.  The next free legal clinic is scheduled to take place on October 20, 2010, from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the Glendale Youth Center (211 W. Chestnut St., Glendale, CA 91204.)  For more information contact ANC Glendale at 818.243.3444.

The Armenian National Committee-Glendale Chapter advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the city's Armenian American community and promotes increased civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.

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