LegalCORPS decides cases based on total income of all members of a household (and a slew of other demographical information provided in the application). The household limit is 300% federal poverty. I live far below the poverty line, and have for years.
I have been homeless, and have lived in homes with people who also live far below poverty.
At the time I applied for pro bono assistance through legalCORPS, I happened to be living with people whose combined income was above the threshold for their service.
I explained on the application that their income is not my income, and that I am personally unable to afford legal services. The administrator who replied to me said she "appreciated" my circumstance, but that they could not assist me.
LegalCORPS is selective of who they help, rightfully so, but it is misleading that they help "those who otherwise could not afford needed legal help".
The truth is they help some but not others - they are exclusionist, rather than "as needed", which would be more fair. Why is one low-income inventor more worthy of help than another?
I will likely file a patent pro se (without any help); the silver lining I see is I will be able to take greater pride if I am successful with no help, but my road is going to be more difficult.
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- EIN 20-0792664
- 1000 Lasalle Avenue Sch317 Minneapolis MN 55403-2025 USA
- legalcorps.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Crime & Law, Legal Services
Mission: Legalcorps assists low-income owners of small businesses and small nonprofit organizations by connecting them with free, high-quality legal services from volunteer lawyers
Programs: Legalcorps assists low-income owners of small businesses and small nonprofit organizations by connecting them with free, high-quality legal services from volunteer lawyers. By lending a hand to those who otherwise could not afford needed legal help, legalcorps knowledgeable volunteer lawyers join efforts to make minnesotas communities great places to live, raise families and do business. Legal corps provided services to 570 clients, including small businesses and nonprofits.