James Richardson Volunteers Legal Aid to Hurricane Harvey Victims

August 17, 2018 | Mentions



As South Texas approaches the first anniversary of the day Hurricane Harvey made landfall, the need for legal help remains in Harris County.

For Houston associate James Richardson’s client Marion, Harvey’s damage is visible on the ceiling and walls of her home. After several failed attempts to receive assistance from FEMA, James stepped in to offer his assistance—free of charge to Marion—through Houston Volunteer Lawyers, the legal service arm of the Houston Bar Association.


Legal Help for Harvey Victims – Houston (Fox 29)

“It just underscores the need for legal assistance. This has been almost a year. She filed her first claim with FEMA assistance back in August,” James said in a recent interview with Fox 29. “It’s disheartening to see that some things like this continue to happen and to see the struggle, so that’s why we’re here.”

James is one of many attorneys volunteering with the organization to provide assistance to those affected by Hurricane Harvey. As part of the Hurricane Harvey Legal Relief Project, low-income residents of Harris County are connected with volunteer lawyers like James who handle matters pro bono. The organization also offers Harvey-specific clinics, where attorneys volunteer their time to help those in need with various issues including FEMA appeals, probate, clear home ownership, insurance, and bankruptcy.

With the help of a recent grant from the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas, Houston Volunteer Lawyers can continue providing high-impact legal representation to households who cannot afford an attorney and have legal issues caused by Harvey, particularly cases involving litigation.

Jackson Walker is proud to have James among our attorneys who volunteer more than 10,000 hours collectively every year. To learn more about the Firm’s commitment to helping ensure equal access to justice by all members of society, visit our Pro Bono page.