What is The Thursday Afternoon Project?

TMLG provides limited pro bono legal services for individuals who qualify.  The services are provided on Thursday afternoons as set forth below.   

Who qualifies for TAP?

Individuals who have been impacted significantly by the current recession or who can demonstrate a financial need for pro bono services, including: 1) loss of a job or spouse's loss of job; 2) significant loss of assets or pending insolvency; 3) unable to afford the retainer fee, i.e., no liquidity or no ability to borrow.  Clients must also have a case pending in San Diego County Superior Court or be residents of San Diego County. 

What services are provided?

Advice and counsel via e-mail, telephone consultation and limited office consultation.  Clients will be screened initially to ensure there is no conflict of interest with any TMLG current or past clients.  After the screening has been completed and the clients have signed a retainer agreement, they will have the opportunity to email questions to be answered by a TMLG attorney.  TMLG attorneys can then make the determination of whether an answer can be provided by reply email or whether a scheduled telephone or office meeting should be arranged for the next available Thursday afternoon.   

How is a TAP client different from a non-TAP client? 

Usually a client retains an attorney to represent his or her interests in litigation proceedings.  The attorney is the official attorney of record. The attorney's name and contact information is on all court documents, with the court communicating directly with the attorney.  The attorney also communicates directly with the other party's attorney. 

However, a TAP client is considered self represented by the court system and responsible for submitting all pleadings, making necessary court appointments, adhering to deadlines and complying with the court's requests for documentation, etc.  The TMLG attorney will usually not communicate directly with the opposing attorney or with the opposing party.   

What are the TAP Program Goals?

In the past, TMLG has represented pro bono clients in the traditional sense as the official attorney of record.  Unfortunately, a substantial amount of time in a divorce case can be wasted in a variety of ways sometimes the opposing attorney will churn a case by creating unnecessary litigation; the court system is sometimes slow and ineffective; clients can be stubborn, emotional or change their minds frequently, etc.  The TAP program seeks to use TMLG attorneys in the most efficient way; by focusing on educating and advising the client on how to obtain optimum results within the San Diego County family court system.