Consumer Advocacy Project

WHO WE ARE

The Consumer Advocacy Project began in 2014 and is a joint project of Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) and the John Boner Neighborhood Centers (Center) in the Near Eastside community of Indianapolis.

WHAT WE DO

ILS provides one-on-one free legal consultation and legal assistance to individuals* working with the Center’s Financial Foundations staff to meet their financial goals. In addition, ILS provides consumer education through brochures and through live legal educational clinics, with support from the Center. ILS also works closely with the Heartland Pro Bono Council, which connects low-income individuals with civil legal needs to private attorneys who represent individuals pro bono (free or a reduced rate). When ILS cannot assist directly, ILS can refer individuals with certain legal issues who meet specific qualifications to Heartland. 

SERVICES PROVIDED

The Indianapolis-based ILS attorney is available at the John Boner Neighborhood Centers to help individuals with legal issues involving consumer rights and legal barriers to employment. The attorney is on-site at the Center each week on most Monday mornings, Wednesdays, & Fridays. We provide legal assistance with consumer law issues and legal barriers to employment, such as:

• Bankruptcy
• Credit reporting errors 
• Criminal record expungement petitions  
• Debt collection
• Federal tax debt & related state tax debt
• Foreclosure prevention
• Predatory lending: pay day/ cash advances, pawn shop, other short-term loans
• Repossessions
• Specialized driving privileges petitions
• Wage garnishment