Roundtable session hopes to solve civil legal needs

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SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - Where do you turn if you need legal council, but you don't have enough money to pay?

That was the question facing numerous judges, lawyers, and other legal analysts Friday during a civil legal needs roundtable at the Chatham County courthouse.

Together they hoped to find solutions to the legal problems facing so many low and moderate income households throughout the state. And while the discussion gave them great ideas, they say it's up to everyone to make it work.

"This is going to require a community effort," said Judge James Bass, Superior Court of Chatham County. "Not only by the courts, but by lawyers and by all those who have an interest in this whole area."

"We want to bring people out of poverty and if you can address people's housing, education, and employment needs through legal means, then you can start bringing people out of the situation that creates so many of their legal problems," explained Judge Louisa Abbotm, Superior Court of Chatham County.

Participants say the event was just the start of a beneficial dialogue with more talks planned for the future.