The sagging local economy has flooded local courts with people in financial trouble who can’t pay for what could help them most: an attorney to guide them.

Only a few local programs exist to help people who need lawyers, a need that has far outstripped the programs’ ability to find lawyers willing to work for little or no pay. As a result, court dockets are clogged with people trying – and failing – to wade through a complicated system of hearings and paperwork without legal help.

“It’s a pretty grim picture out there if you need a lawyer and can’t afford one,” said Al McNeil, an associate professor with University Legal Assistance, which provides free or low-cost legal services to low-income Spokane County residents and just celebrated its 35-year anniversary at Gonzaga University School of Law.

Read the rest of Tom Clouse’s story here.

Spokane defense attorney John Clark will be honored Wednesday by the Spokane County Bar Association.

The 2010 Smithmoore P. Myers Professionalism Award, named after the former U.S. magistrate judge and dean of the Gonzaga University School of Law, will be presented at a ceremony at the Davenport Hotel.

“But the accolade comes at a time when Clark faces a challenge that has nothing to do with making sure police or prosecutors do their jobs: Clark doesn’t know how many days he has left to live.”

Read  the rest of Tom Clouse’s story here.