FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 22, 2005

CONTACT: Suzanne Levitt, (515) 271-3851, suzanne.levitt@drake.edu
Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu

LEGAL ASSISTANCE OFFERED TO HURRICANE VICTIMS IN IOWA

Iowa Lawyers for Disaster Relief is offering free legal assistance to victims of Hurricane Katrina who have relocated to Iowa.

Those victims may experience many different types of legal problems, says Suzanne Levitt, director of clinical programs at the Drake University Legal Clinic and organizer of Iowa Lawyers for Disaster Relief. These problems often include obtaining assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, housing and medical issues, insurance concerns, unemployment compensation, benefits and tax relief.

“Now that people are out of immediate danger,” Levitt adds, “they often face many legal obstacles as they try to put their lives back together. We’re ready to help.”

Hurricane victims in need of legal assistance should call 1-800-992-8161 or (515) 282-8161 and ask for Iowa Lawyers for Disaster Relief. They also may apply in person at the United Way of Central Iowa building at 1111 Ninth St., Suite 230, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition, legal information and resources are posted at www.iowalegalaid.org.

In addition to the Drake Legal Clinic, the following organizations are participating in Lawyers for Disaster Relief: Iowa State Bar Association, Polk County Bar Association, Legal Aid of Iowa, Linn County Attorney’s Office, Polk County Attorney’s Office, Iowa Concerns Hotline and the Volunteer Lawyers Project.

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