Access to Justice in Louisiana: Free Legal Resources and Pro Bono Services

Attorney Jonathan Rhodes Launches State's First Help Desks for Self-Represented Litigants in Louisiana Courts

Access to justice has long been one of the most pressing challenges in the American legal system. For the thousands of Louisianans who cannot afford an attorney, navigating the courthouse alone — without guidance, without forms, without anyone to explain the process — can mean losing custody of a child, failing to escape an abusive relationship, or being denied rights they are legally entitled to.

Starting in 2010, Attorney Jonathan Rhodes took on that challenge directly.

The Beginning: New Orleans and Judge Tiffany Chase

While working with the Louisiana State Bar Association's Access to Justice Program, Jonathan designed, developed, and launched Louisiana's first help desks for self-represented litigants — people who appear in court without a lawyer. Modeled on similar programs in other states, these help desks were created to fill a critical gap: providing much-needed legal information and basic services to thousands of people each year who otherwise could not afford an attorney.

Jonathan launched the first help desk in New Orleans in partnership with Judge Tiffany Chase, then a state court judge at the Orleans Civil District Court. Together, they worked to make the courthouse more accessible to everyday people. Jonathan developed standardized forms for the most common family law issues — divorce, child custody, child support, and protective orders — that litigants could complete with the guidance of pro bono attorneys staffing the desks.

A Statewide Network of Help Desks

What began as a single desk in New Orleans has grown into a statewide network. Today, there are courthouse help desks in every major courthouse and in smaller courts across Louisiana, including:

• Jefferson Parish
• Baton Rouge
• Lafayette
• Lake Charles
• Alexandria
• Shreveport
• And many others across the state

These help desks are staffed by pro bono volunteers, court staff, and legal aid attorneys. They offer legal information and basic services in divorce, child custody, child support, and other family law matters — all free of charge to qualifying individuals.

Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence

Perhaps nowhere has the impact been felt more acutely than in domestic violence cases. The help desks have been particularly critical in helping victims of domestic abuse navigate the legal system to secure protection orders. Since 2010, the program has helped more than 10,000 people secure protection from abuse who otherwise could not have afforded access to justice.

For many of those individuals, the help desk was the difference between safety and continued harm.

Resources Now Available Online

Much of the information and services originally provided in person at the help desks have now been made available online, extending reach to Louisianans who cannot make it to a courthouse in person. Key online resources include:

• Orleans Civil District Court Self-Help Resource Center: orleanscivildistrictcourt.org/selfhelp-resource-center
• 24th Judicial District Court Self-Represented Litigants: 24jdc.us/srl

Additional Pro Bono and Legal Aid Resources in Louisiana

If you or someone you know needs legal assistance and cannot afford an attorney, the following organizations provide free or low-cost legal services across Louisiana:

• Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS): Free civil legal aid for low-income residents in 22 parishes. slls.org
• Acadiana Legal Service Corporation: Civil legal aid for low-income individuals in southwest and central Louisiana. la-law.org
• Louisiana Law Help: Plain-language legal information and referrals for Louisiana residents. louisianalawhelp.org
• Louisiana State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: Connect with attorneys for low-cost initial consultations. lsba.org
• Pro Bono Project: Free civil legal services for low-income residents in the Greater New Orleans area. probono.net/la
• Louisiana Civil Justice Center: Online dispute resolution and legal services for Louisianans. lajustice.org

Access to Justice Is Not a Privilege — It's a Right

Jonathan Rhodes' work on courthouse help desks is a reflection of a broader commitment: that the legal system should work for everyone, not just those who can afford representation. Whether through pro bono service, community education, or systemic advocacy, The Rhodes Law Firm remains dedicated to expanding access to justice for all Louisianans.

If you need legal assistance and are unsure where to start, contact our office for a free initial consultation. We are here to help.