DO YOU NEED A LAWYER?

If you need a lawyer, the NEA provides WEA/NEA members with the services of an attorney at a discounted hourly rate.  The Attorney Referral Program (ARP) is a service provided to NEA members (active, life, educational support or retired, their spouses and dependent children) who need services of an attorney on personal legal matters, i.e., not employment-related.

Participating ARP attorneys provide each member with two free 30-minute consultation sessions during each year of the program (Sept. 1 through Aug. 31).  These two free consultations are taken separately and deal with two different questions.  This benefit allows you to discuss your problem with an attorney to determine whether you need additional legal services.  Do not expect the attorney to draft or review documents during a consultation.  It is important to discuss any fee arrangements at your initial meeting.

If your problem falls within any of the areas listed below, the attorney's fees are discounted 30%:

1. real estate matters;
2. wills and estates;
3. domestic relations;
4. consumer protection; or
5. traffic violations (includes DWI citations).

You may discuss almost any subject during one of your 30-minute conferences, although certain matters are excluded:  member's business dealings; preparation of income tax returns; bankruptcies, or defense of criminal violations (other than traffic).  The participating attorney will not represent a member in a suit against another member, the WEA, NEA affiliate, or a UniServ Council.  The exception to this would be in a separation or dissolution of marriage if your spouse is also a NEA member.  Court costs, attorney out-of-pocket expenses, filing and service fees are not covered.  If you obtain your own attorney, you will not receive the discounted rate.

Upon your initial visit to the attorney's office, you must present some evidence of NEA membership.  Payment for all legal fees is the responsibility of the member.  The participating law firms for our area are as follows:

LONGVIEW (and Cowlitz County)

Walstead Mertsching, Civic Center Bldg, 3rd Floor, PO Box 1549

Longview, WA   98632, 360-423-5220, www.walstead.com

Pre-Discount Hourly Fee:    $150-250

OLYMPIA

Morgan Hill, 2102 Carriage Drive SW Bldg C

Olympia, WA   98502, 360-357-5700, http://www.morganhilllawoffice.com

Pre-Discount Hourly Fee:    $250

VANCOUVER

Broer & Passannante, 8904 NE Hazel Dell Ave

Vancouver, WA   98665, 360-576-7947

Pre-Discount Hourly Fee:    $200

There are other firms in Washington State.  If you would prefer a different law firm, please call Shari Boyd at the UniServ Office, 360-425-8900 / 1-888-297-8276.