- Remarks of Professor David Hall
on PTLA's 40th Anniversary
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- What is Pine Tree Legal Assistance?
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- How Many Staff and Offices Do You Currently Have?
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- What Kind of Services Are Provided by Pinetree?
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- How Do You Decide What Kinds of Cases to Take?
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- What Kind of Cases Receive your Highest Attention?
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- Financial and Charitable Information from Guidestar
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- How You Can Help
At Pine Tree Legal Assistance, you will not be denied our services on the basis of race,
color, sex, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, age, religion, political affiliation
or belief, or disability.
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WHAT IS PINE TREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE?
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Pine Tree is a nonprofit corporation with 501(c)(3) status established in 1966 by
private attorneys in Maine to meet the need for legal assistance by low-income residents.
Over the past 35 years, Pine Tree has become a recognized part of the justice system in
Maine, providing help to over 350,000 Maine people since its doors first opened.
Pine Tree is governed by a local Board of Directors, composed of attorneys, client
representatives of various organizations and at large members. Many of the Board members
have served for 10+ years on the Board, and they take a very active role in setting policy
for the program.
There are over 300 legal services programs in the United States which are designated
recipients of federal funding from the Legal Services Corporation; Pine Tree is one of the
few statewide programs and one of the oldest.
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HOW MANY STAFF AND OFFICES DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE?
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As of January 1, 2005, Pine Tree was staffed by 55 individuals. Twenty-nine of the staff
are full or part-time attorneys, including several who work in administrative positions within
the program.
Pine Tree maintains six permanent field offices in Portland, Lewiston, Augusta, Bangor, Machias
and Presque Isle. Pine Tree operates special statewide units for services to Native Americans
and migrant farmworkers from its location in Bangor. Pine Tree also staffs and provides
substantial funding for the Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP), which organizes the pro bono
contributions of private attorneys to expand upon the legal services available from Pine Tree
staff. Pine Tree’s newest statewide project, Kids Legal Aid of Maine, operates with 4 staff from
its offices in Portland and Bangor.
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WHAT KIND OF SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY PINE TREE?
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By federal requirement, most Pine Tree services are limited to people whose household
incomes are at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. Recent estimates indicate
that roughly 230,000 Maine residents qualify for assistance -- roughly 20% of the Maine
population. (With special funding support, Pine Tree is able to provide some
services to victims of domestic violence without reference to income guidelines.)
The type of service provided by Pine Tree depends largely on the type of legal problem
facing the individual client. Most clients get immediate advice on their problem,
including things they could do in order to resolve the problem on their own. Some receive
written materials which provide a more detailed information on common legal problems and
solutions. Others are referred to an agency or service which can more appropriately
resolve their immediate crisis or long-term problems.
Less than twenty percent of all cases involve extended representation, and most
of these are resolved through negotiation with the other side without the need for a
hearing. The majority of legal problems brought to our attention are resolved within 30
days of the initial request for Pine Tree assistance. However, if Pine Tree does take a
case to a final hearing, our clients win nine out of ten times.
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HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHAT KIND OF CASES TO TAKE?
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Over 65,000 people contact Pine Tree each year seeking help but Pine Tree only has
sufficient staff to respond to twenty percent of those requests. Staff resources are
allocated according to a list of the most pressing or serious legal problems facing
low-income individuals in Maine. This list is regularly reviewed by the Pine Tree Board of
Directors and is available upon request.
In order to develop the list, periodic surveys are conducted of low-income individuals
around the State, as well as the staff of social service agencies, legislators and
Congressional offices, court officials and other individuals whose work provides insight
into the legal needs facing low-income Mainers. The surveys identify the most frequent
problems faced by low- income people and invite comment on the most serious problems
needing legal attention. Using this information, the Board of Directors then develops an
updated list of priorities for the organization. The last needs assessment was
completed in 2001.
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WHAT KIND OF LEGAL PROBLEMS RECEIVE YOUR HIGHEST ATTENTION?
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The cases receiving our top priority involve the preservation of housing and related
housing needs; maintaining, enhancing and protecting income and economic stability;
improving outcomes for children; and personal safety, stability and well-being. Pine Tree
does not take criminal cases.
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FINANCIAL AND CHARITABLE INFORMATION FROM GUIDESTAR
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We participate on GuideStar, the on-line standard for nonprofit accountability.
Take a look at
our listing. You'll have to register with Guidestar, but it's pretty easy and free.
Our listing has financial, charitable, and program information for the past
several years. Pine Tree Legal Assistance makes the best possible use of your charitable
contributions.
