Volunteer Spotlight
Serving the Community: Inside Perry County’s Free Legal Clinic and Wills for Vets
Spotlighting Judge Luann Cooperrider, Perry County
Juvenile Judge
After witnessing the frustration of individuals navigating the courthouse without legal support, Judge Luann Cooperrider reached out to Legal Aid about setting up a free legal clinic.
“People would say, ‘I just don’t know where to go,’” she recalls. Since its founding in 2008, the Perry County Free Legal Clinic has been a lifeline for residents facing civil legal challenges. Over the past 18 years, the clinic has assisted an estimated 1,500–1,800 people with issues ranging from domestic relations to evictions and probate matters.
With no budget and a small local bar association, the clinic continues to thrive thanks to the dedication of volunteer attorneys like Valerie Wiggins and Steve Carr—along with many others who travel from neighboring counties—and the steadfast support of LASCO. “Legal Aid is wonderful,” she said. “They send a staff member to each clinic. They ensure that the process is smooth for volunteers and clients.”
Judge Cooperrider also credits Lea Wells, her court administrator, as an essential partner in keeping the clinic organized and running smoothly.
As Judge Cooperrider shares regarding the Free Legal Clinic, “It has truly been one of the best things I have done to give back to the people of Perry County who have been so good to me. Working hand in hand with LASCO allows us together to help the ones that need legal assistance who cannot afford it. “
The clinic’s success has inspired additional programs in Perry County, including “Good Deeds,” which offered free copies of property deeds, and an expungement clinic that helped over 60 individuals clear old records. Now, Judge Cooperrider is spearheading a new initiative: Wills for Vets. Launching on Feb. 3., this program will provide free wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to veterans. “It’s a way to give back to those who served our country,” says Cooperrider. With support from LASCO and local attorneys like Wiggins and Carr, the program will also host a second event later in the year.
Judge Cooperrider emphasizes that court involvement is key to sustaining these vital efforts. “If we can do this in Perry County with no budget, any court can,” she notes. Court partnerships with LASCO ensure that justice is not just a principle, but a reality for those who need it most.
Interested in volunteering? The clinic is held on the first Tuesday of each month (excluding January and July). The clinic provides free legal guidance to individuals who cannot afford an attorney.