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Public
Employee Press MELS lawyers answer
members questions
The unions first Ask
a Lawyer Night, held April 8 by DC 37s Municipal Employees Legal Services
program, went so well that MELS plans to hold another in the fall.
Participants
sent in their specific questions as they registered to attend and MELS matched
them with a lawyer or legal assistant who specializes in their particular issue.
While
members can make an appointment to speak with a lawyer or attend free MELS workshops,
this was the first program where they could ask questions directly to MELS attorneys
and staff.
The feedback from the members was very positive,
said Joan L. Beranbaum, director and chief counsel of the free legal service.
Before
the individual consultations provided to 36 members, MELS legal experts made brief
presentations on bankruptcy and consumer issues. The staff also handed out brochures
that covered tricky issues like hiring a contractor for home repairs, what to
do if youre contacted by a debt collector, and the Federal Reserves
new credit card regulations that took effect in February.
The 14 MELS attorneys
and legal assistants who participated did an outstanding job, Beranbaum
said.
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