Legal Information Center


The Edgecomb Courthouse in Tampa Florida

Legal Information Center at the Edgecomb Courthouse
813-864-2280

Many people view the legal system as a maze with no exit or an indecipherable code. When you find yourself in the midst of a legal case it can be confusing, frustrating, and even frightening. If you can afford to hire an attorney, your attorney will guide you through the system. If you can't afford an attorney, you are left to find your own way.

The Legal Information Center is a free program to assist those people who are trying to represent themselves in certain types of cases. The Legal Information Center attorney will assist people with family law cases, residential landlord/tenant cases, and small claims cases. The greatest need is in family law. Imagine trying to do your own contested divorce, a custody dispute, or calculate child support. How do you proceed without knowing the basic procedures for filing a case and going through the numerous steps required before you get to speak to a judge? Do you know the difference between a Judge, a General Master, and a Hearing Officer? Do you know what process is required to file for divorce if your spouse is in another state? Do you know what to do if you can't provide medical consent for your grandchild because you don't have legal custody?

The Legal Information Center is an innovative partnership between Fowler White, TECO Energy and Bay Area Legal Services. The Legal Information Center is staffed by a full-time salaried Bay Area Legal Services' attorney and is located in The Edgecomb Courthouse at 800 E. Twiggs St., Room 203.

 Some time in July 2007, the 30,000^th pro se litigant will walk into the Legal Information Center. The Center is an example of how a pro bono project can evolve into something that significantly benefits the community.  The idea of the Center originated from a pro bono project developed and coordinated by Fowler White Boggs and Banker. For many years, Fowler White attorneys donated time providing legal information to the many pro se litigants who came to the downtown Tampa courthouse looking for help.

 Over time, the volunteer attorneys recognized that the demand for pro se assistance, particularly in family law, far exceeded the time they could devote as volunteers. After some discussion among Fowler White, Bay Area Legal Services, the Clerk of the Court, and the Court Administrator, the concept of a Legal Information Center, staffed by a full-time Bay Area attorney, was born.  With funding from Fowler White and TECO Energy and the donation of office space by the Clerk, Bay Area attorney Susan Whitaker opened the doors of the Center in October 2000.

 Nearly seven years later, the collaboration that created the Center continues and thousands of pro se litigants have received assistance with family law, landlord/tenant, and small claims matters.   Recently, the Center has been able to expand its hours of operation.  With the move of Bay Area’s Volunteer Lawyers Program to offices in the courthouse, BAVLP attorney, Nancy Lugo, is now available to staff the Center when Susan Whitaker is not available.

The service is free of charge.

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Find out more about the Legal Information Center & The Family Forms Clinic
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   click here for Spanish

We offer Free Interpreters to Applicants and Clients

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Privacy Policy

We are a 501(C) (3), a copy of the official charitable organization registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free (1-800-435-7352) within Florida.  Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state.  Registration #CH1969.