Texas Riogrande Legal AID
Real Estate, Administrative Law, Business & Trade, Wills & Probate, Civil & Human Rights
Firm Size:
1
Texas Riogrande Legal AID
Lawyers
Alexander Abraham Stamm
General Practice,
Allison Christina Schmitz
Government, Visa, General Practice,
Cathryn Anne Ibarra
Government, General Practice,
Cynthia Marie Dyar
Juvenile Law, Divorce & Family Law, State Appellate Practice, Family Law, Family Law
Eva Diane Sikes
Consumer Bankruptcy, Wills, Commercial Real Estate, General Practice,
Fabiola Flores
Employment, Workers' Compensation, Employee Rights, General Practice,
Ingrid Ellerbee
Administrative Law, Government, General Practice,
Jennifer Nadine Richards
General Practice,
Jerad Kent Nicholson
Administrative Law, Disability, Social Security, Health Care Other, Health Care Other
Jessica D. Prado
Family Law, General Practice,
Jessica Aimee Villalon
Non-profit, General Practice,
Kristin Maria Etter
Criminal, Immigration, Juvenile Law, General Practice,
Leah Rebecca Rodriguez
Immigration, General Practice,
Leila Ann Blatt
Family Law, General Practice,
Mandi Lee Matlock
International, Gift Taxation, Consumer Rights, Consumer Bankruptcy, Consumer Bankruptcy
Mandi Lee Matlock
International, Gift Taxation, Consumer Rights, Consumer Bankruptcy, Consumer Bankruptcy
Maria Jose Vallejo Manzur
General Practice,
Marissa Marie Walker
General Practice,
Melissa Anne Jacobs
Employment, Immigration, Employee Rights, General Practice,
Michael Gregory Garlow
Administrative Law, Family Law, Wills, Commercial Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate
Sascha Birdie Rips
Consumer Bankruptcy, Commercial Real Estate, General Practice,
Shoshana Jessie Krieger
General Practice,
Sophie Alicia Primeaux
Stacie Leigh Jonas
Employment, Immigration, Employee Rights,
Stephanie Kay Trinh
General Practice,
William Joseph Pavord
State Appellate Practice, General Practice,
Reviews
Applying for legal aid is a big step for most people who are really struggling and the process takes so long. A lot of the people working with the team are very rude, or impatient. They don’t have the resources to help those in desperate situations and who are very much in need of assistance.
I applied for legal aid from TRLA/Austin Tenants Council due to a mold problem in my apartment that my landlord/property management refused to repair/remediate in a reasonable amount of time. - To apply, I called and waited on hold for 30 minutes (this can be up to 2 hours, in my experience) - Then did intake for an hour. Based on my income information "the lawyers" had to be consulted so I then had to wait for a week to proceed. - In the meantime, sent email to my intake person with financial documents. -A week later, my intake person texted and said she could finish my application. I said how do I do that (because I don't have time to call and wait on hold for 30 minutes or 2 hours). She said she could call me or I could call the main number and talk to someone else when they came available. Not wanting to wait on hold for hours, I had her call me. -I spoke to her for 45 minutes, explained again what happened and answered all the questions. She requested I send pictures, copies of letters sent, etc. Which I did in time for when the office would be open on July 5. -Got an email late in the day on July 5, asking for the certified letter. I stated the one she had was it--I printed it out, signed it, and mailed it. - 4 days later, I receive an email that they can't assist, with a very vague explanation "we can't help everyone." After all the time spent on the phone, texting, getting financial information and documents related to my case together to send to them. Tenant Council/TRLA doesn't respect the time of people seeking its aid. Do not recommend. If I didn't need 1 star to submit this review, I would put no star.
I have only started a process with them but they ask better questions than more professional law firms during my phone screening!! One question I was surprised at was they asked if a situation/ other co workers caused you too loose you're job which was part of my case. I'm not sure they will take it because I might have signed a paper with my employer but I'm hopping someone can at least write a demand letter since it's contractual and they broke there own policy! As for other reviews like the one with the boyfriend that might not be the kind of law or problems they help with. Legal clinics can't do everything! I've worked with others and sometimes they are ok but other times they aren't the best or honest about communication etc. I hope I'll have a good case with this clinic as I actually already have everything documented! It's funny to me how an employee can work hard and even follow the policy and still be fired!
I would not even give 1 star to this organization. Where do I start? I contacted them numerous times for legal assistance over the last few years. I have been a single mom for over 10 years and am low income. I have been sued by my ex husband and ex-boyfriend who both come from families with millions. I have been exploited and abused over and over again, and forced into poverty and homelessness. I am a victim of domestic violence and sexual assault and couldn't even get a shelter after my ex boyfriend stole my son, and forcefully evicted me in Austin. When I was finally able to get through to someone at TRLA, they basically did absolutely nothing to help me, and then told me that they would not help me or take my case. This is the worst legal assistance in the country. Because I was not able to find a lawyer to assist me, because of my socio economic status, I have lost time and money, and the ability to pay for childcare, car and rent. I also was never able to receive child support or alimony from my exes. I lost custody of my son to an abuser, drug addict and criminal, and the geographic restriction on my order was lifted so he was able to take my son out of Texas. Thanks for ruining my life Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid!
0 stars would be more appropriate. I waited to have my call answered for over 20mins. Then an operator answered and told me they could not help, proceeded to interrogate me about which number I dialed. She Then told me I needed to hang up and call back because she could not assist. When I explained that I didn't understand this process she placed me on hold again without telling me for another 10min and when they returned they said hello twice and hung up. I am a single mom and work a full time job. I can not sit on the phone calling all day hoping I will get someone that can assist. It's 2023 get a better process.