Finding Free Lawyers

Beyer413 · 01-13-2008, 02:03 PM

Hey,

I'm helping a co-worker whose teacher told his parents that he is gay after he came out. We are sure he has a case but he cannot afford legal representation. Does anyone know how to find one who will work for free, and what "working for free" is called in the legal world?

Thanks,
Beyer

**slap_j** · 01-13-2008, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beyer413

Does anyone know how to find one who will work for free, and what "working for free" is called in the legal world?

Pro bono.

Sorry, can't help you out beyond that.

Andrew · 01-13-2008, 02:16 PM

Wait. A case for what? Someone gossiping? That's a pretty regular occurrence.

Big_al · 01-13-2008, 02:51 PM

Tell your friend he shouldn't have come out to his teacher if he didn't want his parents knowing.

Beyer413 · 01-13-2008, 02:54 PM

No, the right to privacy has been proven for homosexuals in the case McLaughlin v. Pulaski County Special School District. I am not here to debate this or homosexuality, I am here to find out how to find legal representation.

Andrew · 01-13-2008, 06:23 PM

Hahaha. Litigation in this country is completely out of control. This is a total joke.

Mattlock · 01-13-2008, 07:00 PM

Tell your friend to suck it up. His teacher can relay whatever the student tells them during class to his parents. Or, rather, should be able to.

JerryLove · 01-13-2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beyer413

No, the right to privacy has been proven for homosexuals in the case McLaughlin v. Pulaski County Special School District. I am not here to debate this or homosexuality, I am here to find out how to find legal representation.

My understanding of McLaughlin v. Pulaski County Special School District is that a 14-year-old was outed then punished for discussing his sexual orientation with other kids.

I'm not intemately familiar with the case, bu there seems to be a lot of difference between pusnighing someone for their sexual orientation and notifying their parents.

Jeffrey · 01-13-2008, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

Hahaha. Litigation in this country is completely out of control. This is a total joke.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattlock

Tell your friend to suck it up. His teacher can relay whatever the student tells them during class to his parents. Or, rather, should be able to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryLove

My understanding of McLaughlin v. Pulaski County Special School District is that a 14-year-old was outed then punished for discussing his sexual orientation with other kids.

I'm not intemately familiar with the case, bu there seems to be a lot of difference between pusnighing someone for their sexual orientation and notifying their parents.

Just to comment overall: in many if not most communities in the States, coming out is still a very difficult process. If his orientation was told to the teacher with the assumption that it was being given in confidence, and if the student was concerned about emotional or physical abuse from the parents, it could be a valid lawsuit.

If one of my students came out, I would do a great deal of research and discussion with superiors (without, obviously, naming the student or even hinting that my queries were anything but hypothetical at first) before alerting the parents.

Danny · 01-14-2008, 01:56 AM

I'm sympathetic to your coworker and can't really see why his teacher decided it would be a good idea to tell his parents if he didn't want them knowing yet, but as others have said, I'm not really sure he has a legal case.

Not to mention the ethical issue (what does he really stand to gain by collecting damages from someone who was probably doing what they felt was the "right thing," and how does that interact with the harm done to the teacher? It's not like he can make the situation go away by getting money out of it), but you've made it clear you're not here to discuss that so I won't prod.

In any event, occassionally you can find law students who are willing to help with relatively simple things pro bono for the experience, but it seems for something like this you're going to need someone who is already experienced. Your best bet is to find someone who would be sympathetic to your coworker's case for whatever reason. Maybe look around some LGBT communities on the web, especially those dedicated to civil rights. I might suggest the ACLU, but they're much more first-amendment oriented, so I doubt they'd bite.

normajean777 · 01-14-2008, 03:33 PM

Also the lawyer may do the case if they think they can win, and win enough for a percent instead of hourly or whatever. If you phone a lawyer and they lawyer says theres no case, theres probably no case, or not enough to win some reasonable money. I've heard a normal lawyer cut is 33%.