Eligibility
You are eligible for assistance under the Legal Service Fund if you are currently employed by and have worked for a contributing employer of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 or Bartenders Union Local 165 for an average of 80 hours per month in the 6 months before your request for legal assistance. The Trustees may make an exception if the hour requirement is not met due to lay-off.
If you are eligible, your spouse and dependents under 18 are also eligible for assistance.
The Legal Service Fund Program team will verify your eligibility prior to your scheduled appointment.
Fees and Costs
As an eligible employee, you will not be charged for the legal services provided under the Legal Service Fund. However, if your matter requires the payment of fees or costs, such as court filing fees or other application fees, you may have to pay those fees, depending on the nature of your legal matter.
Legal Matters Not Covered
The services available to you under the Legal Service Fund are detailed above. Legal matters and services other than those detailed above are not covered by the Legal Services Fund. This includes, for example,
- Matters where private attorneys will accept the case on a contingency with no upfront payment, such as personal injury, medical malpractice, and worker’s compensation, among others. For those matters, you will be provided information on finding and working with a lawyer.
- Matters involving traffic tickets or the criminal justice system. For those matters, you will be provided information on finding and working with a lawyer.
- Matters involving child support. For those matters, you will be referred to the District Attorney’s Family Support Division.
- Matters involving employment or union related issues. For those matters, you will be referred to your union.
- Matters in which one union member is adverse to another member. For those matters, you will be provided information on representing yourself in court or finding and working with a lawyer.
- Matters that would present a conflict of interest or where representation would otherwise be precluded under rules of ethical and professional conduct. For those matters, you will be provided information on representing yourself in court or finding and working with a lawyer.
