Free Legal Aid for New Hope’s Clients

26 Feb Free Legal Aid for New Hope’s Clients

Do you know Nick Parker? His name may sound familiar, but how is he connected to New Hope? Nick is an attorney from Indiana Legal Services who provides free legal services to New Hope’s clients particularly in areas of decision-making supports such as the preparation of wills, healthcare representative designees, and guardianships; benefit appeals; landlord-tenant issues; and expungement of conviction records.

In 2016, through a generous grant by the Lilly Endowment and the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, Indiana Legal Services and New Hope began the PLAID (Providing Legal Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities) Partnership. Nick is the staff attorney for the PLAID program and has worked with Indiana Legal Services since 2016. PLAID is entering year three and has already assisted over 400 individuals in the greater Indianapolis area!

Coming from a family who chose careers where they could help others, Nick became an attorney. He wanted to follow his family members’ leads by pursuing a career in law to directly help others and to empower those who do not traditionally have access to the legal system. So, in 2013, Nick came to Indiana from his home state of Ohio for law school. While in law school, he interned with the Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio in Hamilton, OH; Citizen Advocacy Center in Elmhurst, IL; and was a student liaison at the Career Services Office. Nick was also Editor-in-Chief of Vol. IV of the Indiana Journal of Law & Social Equality. Upon graduation, PLAID seemed like a perfect fit for Nick.

Nick visits New Hope the first Friday of each month to assist clients with their legal needs. One of his favorite things about New Hope is the connection the clients have with the organization and the passion of our staff. Everyone is always so friendly, and the programming, events, and activities are all structured on the clients served. He also likes how the staff go above and beyond to ensure that everybody’s voice is being heard and that we are focusing on solutions. Thank you, Nick, for pursuing a career to help others and for providing this unparalleled service to New Hope’s clients! From clients, staff, and families, we are so grateful that you are part of the New Hope family!