Free Legal Advice to Tea Fire Victims
Santa Barbara County Bar Association Helps Relief Effort
Any residents affected by the recent Tea Fire who are seeking advice on legal issues related to the disaster should contact the Santa Barbara County Bar Association. The organization has mobilized 70 area attorneys to provide up to one hour of counsel to anyone with questions concerning the effects of the fire at no cost.
William Clinkenbeard, president of the S.B. Bar Association, credited the idea to aid fire victims with legal advice to Harvey Wolf, husband of 2nd District Supervisor Janet Wolf. The Wolfs were personally affected by the Painted Cave fire in 1990 and remembered the widespread need for legal help in addition to traditional disaster assistance. In addition, Clinkenbeard explained he received countless calls from area attorneys affiliated with the association asking if there was anything they could do to help.
The result is that fire victims can now speak with an attorney on the phone by calling (805) 569-5511. The executive director of the Bar Association, Elizabeth Nolan, will then connect them directly to a lawyer. Tea Fire area residents can also send email to sblawmag@verizon.net.
Attorneys will also be present at the Davis Center at 1232 De La Vina St., Saturday, November 22, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., as well as Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. of next week, for those who prefer to meet with a lawyer in person.
