Mission
Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services (TCVLS) promotes access to justice through the coordinated efforts of trained volunteers and community partners. TCVLS strives to enable low-income clients to resolve their civil legal problems by providing legal advice, information, and direct representation in a manner sensitive to individuals and their legal needs.
History
The Thurston – Mason Pro Bono Project was founded in 1981 to organize attorneys willing to provide legal representation to low income residents of the two counties. In 1994, the Thurston County Volunteer Legal Clinic Foundation was started to have free legal advice clinics for the same population in Olympia. The two organizations merged in 2004 and became Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services (TCVLS).
The organization quickly grew in response to need for free civil legal aid in the community. In 2004, TCVLS and SafePlace collaborated to start a legal clinic for survivors of domestic violence. This clinic is still going on and in mid-March will move to the new SafePlace location. In 2005, TCVLS teamed up with a Mason County organization called Save Our County’s Kids (SOCK) to launch the Mason County Volunteer Legal Clinic. The Housing Justice Project (“HJP”) was started in 2007 to provide representation to low income residents of Thurston County who are being evicted from their homes. And in 2009, TCVLS began welcoming residents of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties to its clinics in Shelton and Olympia.
TCVLS has continued to expand our services, including offering fully remote clinics during the Covid-19 pandemic. There are currently two evening clinics that see clients at the Family Support Center in Olympia and at SafePlace. TCVLS continues to offer remote and in-person clinic services serving Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties.
Our Staff
Executive Director:
Sandra Miller
(360) 515-5381
Program Manager:
Dr. Stacy Hicks
(360) 915-7488
Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services operates primarily using volunteer attorneys. There are three primary staff who do the behind-the-scenes administration for the clinics and the organization.
General Intake
(360) 705-8194
Housing Intake
(360) 890-4678
The 2023 Board of Directors
The TCVLS Board of Directors is made up of representatives from organizations who are committed to our mission. There are three representatives each from Thurston County Bar Association, the Government Lawyers Bar Association, and Washington Women Lawyers/Capitol Chapter. Other directors are considered “at large” board members and represent other counties in the TCVLS coverage area, other civil legal aid organizations, paralegals, and community partners.
If you are interested in applying to be on the TCVLS Board of Directors, please contact the Executive Director at (360) 515-5381.
Officers
- President: Jon Pitel, Office of the Attorney General
- Vice President: Ingrid Zerpa, Office of the Attorney General
- Secretary: Jessica Shen, Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney
- Treasurer: Clifford Kato, Office of the Attorney General
Directors
- Joseph Scuderi, Scuderi Law Offices, P.S.
- Emily Kimble, Olympia Federal Savings Bank
- Lance Cornick, Northwest Justice Project
- Robbi Kesler, Chehalis Tribal Enterprises
- Eric Pilon, Budd Bay Law, P.S.
- Allyson Bazan, Hillis, Clark, Martin & Peterson
- Randy Trick, Office of the Attorney General
Judicial Liaisons
- Judge Chris Lanese, Thurston County Superior Court
- Commissioner Tirsa Butler, Mason County Superior Court
Contributors
Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services is part of a network of organizations that provide pro bono (free) legal services to low income individuals and families. 55% of our funding comes from the Legal Foundation of Washington. The remaining 45% comes from local bar associations, community based grants, and individual donations.
We love our local contributors! Here is a list of those who have made a difference by financially supporting our mission:
- Thurston County Bar Association
- Government Lawyers Bar Association
- Washington Women Lawyers, Capitol Chapter
- Nisqually Tribe
- Squaxin Tribe
- Community Foundation of South Puget Sound
- Grays Harbor Community Foundation
- State Employees who contribute through the Combined Fund Drive
Partner Organizations
Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services benefits from close, working relationships with local associations of attorneys who support pro bono service.
This includes:
- Government Lawyers Bar Association
- Thurston County Bar Association
- Washington Women Lawyers, Capitol Chapter
- Grays Harbor Bar Association
- Mason County Bar Association
We also benefit from partnerships with other community organizations.
This includes:
- Columbia Legal Services, Olympia Office
- Family Support Center
- Northwest Justice Project, Olympia and Aberdeen Offices
- SafePlace
- Family Education and Support Services