The Delaware Volunteer Legal Services Board of Directors is committed to our mission to provide quality pro bono legal services to indigent Delawareans with meritorious civil legal problems.
- Tiffany A. Poole, Esq., President
- Leslie Spoltore, Esquire, Vice President
- W. Donald Sparks II, Esq., Treasurer
- Don C. Brown, Esquire (Secretary)
- Pamela Brooks-Grimes
- Lawrence S. Drexler, Esquire
- Wilson Gualpa, Esquire
- Randolph K. Herndon, Esquire
- Robert Hirst, Esquire
- David Miller Meyers. Esquire
- Ryan P. Newell, Esquire
- Dana Harrington-Conner, Esquire
- Sharon Whitaker
- Kara Swasey, Esquire
- Kina Thornton-Frazier
- Jennifer Ying, Esquire
- Dr. Jeffrey Benson
- Executive Director - Janine N. Howard-O'Rangers, Esquire
- Janine N. Howard-O'Rangers, Esquire - Executive Director
- Jacquelyn A. Chacona, Esquire - Deputy Director
- Thomas V. McDonough, Esquire - Director of Pro Bono Recruitment
- Christina M. Showalter, Esquire - Staff Attorney
- Angela Desmond, Esquire - Staff Attorney
- Giovanna Crozier-Fitzgerald- Holland Fellow
- Tina Ventresca - Director of Finance & Administration
- Melissa Hughes - Grants Administrator/Office Manager
- Berma Scott - Legal Assistant/Intake Specialist
- Jennifer Castaneda - Pro Bono Case Manager/ Eviction Defense Specialist
- Gina Greim - Pro Bono Case Manager/Communications
- Kassia Cox- Intake Specialist
- Nilza Ramirez- Administration Assistant
Family law (for victims of domestic violence only)
- Custody/visitation when there is domestic violence
- Protection From Abuse matters when you are seeking protection
- Divorce
- THE SERVICES WE ARE FOR DIVORCE ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED; we may be able to assist with drafting initial paperwork when there is domestic violence involved and there are no property division or alimony issues WE CANNOT ASSIST WITH PROPERTY DIVISION OR ALIMONY MATTERS.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR ONLINE INTAKE
Estate
DVLS may be able to assist with estate documents if you are 60 years of age or older, have a terminal illness, or are a victim of domestic violence. WE CANNOT ASSIST WITH MATTERS INVOLVING PROBATE)
- Wills
- Power Of Attorney
- Advance Healthcare Directives
CLICK HERE FOR OUR ONLINE INTAKE
Miller Trusts
- Income and asset limitations apply.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR ONLINE INTAKE
Guardianship of an adult (uncontested)
- DVLS assists with uncontested cases meaning that you are the only person seeking a guardianship over an adult (18 years or older) with a disability AND in a physician’s opinion the person with a disability is unable to make their own decisions because they are: mentally disabled or in some instances physically disabled. A person who makes poor choices or who knowingly takes excessive risks is not necessarily a disabled person.
Assistance with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
- Etremely limited capacity. Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) allows some children to get lawful permanent residency when they cannot live with one or both parents due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment and it is not in their best interest to return to their home country.
Protect Rightful Owner
- After a Sheriff’s Sale excess proceeds arise when the value of the property, at the time of the sale, exceeds the amount of money needed to pay off all recorded liens and mortgages; DVLS may be able to assist in cases where the amount owed to be returned to the borrower is less than $5,000.
JPMC Second Chance Career Program:
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Is a collaborative effort involving DVLS and various nonprofit organizations that assist individuals who have criminal backgrounds in determining their potential for a career path in financial services or information technology. These non-profits will identify and refer potential eligible candidates to DVLS. DVLS will review an individual’s criminal background to determine if they are eligible and would benefit from an expungement, a pardon, or a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) waiver. DVLS primarily represents individuals who are seeking FDIC waivers and will refer eligible expungement and/or pardon matters to other collaborative partners.
Bankruptcy:
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Please note Legal Services Corporation of Delaware is the agency that primarily handles these matters and you should contact that agency first at 302-575-0408. If Legal Services Corporation of Delaware cannot assist you, call 302-478-8680.
Private Landlord Tenant matters for tenants:
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Please note Legal Services Corporation of Delaware is the agency that primarily handles these matters and you should contact that agency first at 302-575-0408.
Public Housing Landlord Tenant matters:
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Please note Community Legal Aid Society is the agency that primarily handles these matters and you should contact that agency first at 302-575-0660.
For all other legal issues go to delegalhelplink.org to find information and resources for possible assistance.
DVLS was established in 1981 by the Delaware State Bar Association (DSBA) to fill the void created by severe cutbacks in the federally funded Legal Services Corporation. DVLS has continued to expand the role of the private bar by providing quality, pro bono legal services to eligible Delawareans with meritorious civil legal problems.
DVLS is an organization of volunteer attorneys who assist eligible clients with problems in a variety of areas. Faced with an increasing demand for free legal services and rapidly diminishing resources, the DVLS Board of Directors and staff remain committed to providing pro bono civil representation to Delaware citizens.
Empowering Delaware's underserved communities through accessible legal support by offering compassionate advocacy and essential civil legal services for those in need. Through collaboration with dedicated volunteers, we strive to expand our reach and impact to advocate and work for justice.
1. Compassion and Empathy: Providing services with kindness and understanding, addressing each client's unique situation with patience and respect.
2. Making a Difference: Actively striving to create meaningful, positive change in clients' lives, helping them overcome legal challenges to gain stability and empowerment.
3. Community Impact: Strengthening communities by addressing critical legal needs and fostering a supportive environment through pro bono work.
4. Empowerment through Advocacy: Advocating for clients' rights to help them regain independence, fostering resilience and self-sufficiency.
5. Integrity and Respect: Maintaining honesty, transparency, and respect for all, creating a trustworthy environment for clients and volunteers alike.
To create a community where every individual has equal access to justice, empowering those in need to achieve stability, resilience, and dignity through compassionate legal support.