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Free Legal Services Brochure Offered by Pennsylvania Bar Association and County Bar Associations

HARRISBURG (Sept. 29, 2008) - During the month of October, the Pennsylvania Bar Association and local bar associations across the state are offering a free brochure that provides tips about the smart use of legal services. The "How a Lawyer Can Help You" brochure is part of a statewide campaign encouraging Pennsylvanians to seek legal help before, not after, legal problems develop.

"Doctors advise their patients to have routine examinations to ward off medical problems and to schedule appointments at the first hints of health issues," said C. Dale McClain, president, Pennsylvania Bar Association. "That same 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' approach should be taken when it comes to legal matters, because taking proactive steps can head off potential problems and provide peace of mind."

Common situations when a lawyer is needed include the following:

  • When making a will, planning an estate and protecting assets
  • Before signing contracts to buy or sell a home and contracts with major financial consequences
  • When dealing with domestic/marital problems
  • Before facing major credit and tax issues
  • When organizing a business

The brochure also includes answers to these frequently asked questions:

  • How should a lawyer be chosen?
  • Why is it unwise for a non-lawyer to handle legal matters?
  • What are the best approaches to working with a lawyer?

To receive a free copy of the brochure by mail, contact the Pennsylvania Bar Association toll-free at 1-888-799-4557. The brochure also is available at no cost on the association's Web site at www.pabar.org.

The campaign is a project of the association's Community and Public Relations Committee and is funded by the Pennsylvania Bar Association and a grant from the Pennsylvania Bar Trust Fund.

Local bar associations participating in the campaign include the Adams County Bar Association, Beaver County Bar Association, Bucks County Bar Association, Butler County Bar Association, Cambria County Bar Association, Centre County Bar Association, Chester County Bar Association, Clarion County Bar Association, Clinton County Bar Association, Cumberland County Bar Association, Dauphin County Bar Association, Delaware County Bar Association, Erie County Bar Association, Franklin County Bar Association, Lackawanna Bar Association, Lancaster Bar Association, Lawrence County Bar Association, Bar Association of Lehigh County, Lycoming Law Association, Mercer County Bar Association, Monroe County Bar Association, Montgomery Bar Association, Northampton County Bar Association, Northumberland County Bar Association, Schuylkill County Bar Association, Washington County Bar Association, Wayne County Bar Association, Westmoreland Bar Association, Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association and York County Bar Association.

Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association exists to promote justice, professional excellence and respect of the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access to legal services; and serve the 29,000 lawyers who are members of the association.