2014 Giving Guide: Legal Services of Southern Missouri

Executive Director: Douglas Kays
President: William Morgan, Attorney at Law
Board of Directors:
William Morgan, President, Attorney at Law    
Craig Heidemann, Vice President, Douglas, Haun & Heidemann    
Jerry Redfern, Treasurer, Neale & Newman   
Darla Boice, Secretary    
Mary Boner, Ludwig & Boner, LC    
Newt Brill, Brill & Wagoner    
Rebecca Burke, Attorney at Law    
James Crump, Crump Law Offices    
Joe Johnson, Lathrop & Gage    
Terry McVey Crow, Reynolds, Shetley, McVey & Scherer, LLP    
Joseph A. Murray, Williams & Sechrest   
Frank Schweitzer, Attorney at Law   
Randall Sutter, Attorney at Law    
Matt Trokey, Cantwell, Smith & Trockey, LLP    
Karla Crossley, Farmington, MO    
Nancy Heard, Buffalo, MO    
Ted Helms, Crocker, MO    
Kasie Ann Jones, Scott City, MO    
Don Shipley, Salem, MO    
Terril Shull, West Plains, MO

Mission Statement:

To provide quality legal representation and advice to low-income individuals and families to ensure equal access to justice in civil matters.

Service Area:

Counties served by LSSM:  Barry, Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Cedar, Christian, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Dunklin, Gasconade, Greene, Howell, Iron, Laclede, Lawrence, Madison, Maries, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stoddard, Stone, Taney, Texas, Wayne, Webster and Wright.

Funding:

LSSM is funded by federal, state and foundation grants; fundraising events; and donations from law firms, businesses and private individuals.

12-month Goals: 

Legal Services of Southern Missouri serves the needs of low-income and elderly persons in 43 counties across Southern Missouri.  LSSM advocates represent battered victims in contested family law cases, defend tenants to prevent them from becoming homeless, protect the vulnerable from consumer fraud, help elderly and disabled people in obtaining disability, welfare and medical benefits and assist people making the transition from welfare to work.  In fiscal year 2013, the LSSM staff processed 10,713 applications.  We represented approximately 2,266 low-income and elderly clients.  Unfortunately more people were turned away than were represented because of the lack of resources.  For these clients, hiring a private attorney was not possible because they could not afford one.

Annual Events:

Justice Fore All Golf Tournament; Warren E. Hearnes Memorial Golf Tournament; Thanks A Latte.

How People & Businesses Can Help:

By volunteering your time or giving donations of money, stocks, property, bequests, trusts or in-kind items.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Attorneys and paralegals may volunteer to provide direct services to clients while other volunteers can provide indirect services through administrative and management aspects of the organization.

Testimonial:

“Getting guardianship of my 2 disabled brothers gives me peace of mind knowing everything is legal so I can take care of them better.”  

“Keeping Medicaid, just cannot put it into words.  Thank you.” 

“My life is so much better.  I no longer live in fear.”  

“I now have better living conditions because of your help.”