Lawyers in Libraries comes to Seeley Lake May 25

SEELEY LAKE - Ed Higgins, from the Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) is coming to the Seeley Lake Public Library on Wednesday, May 25 from 3 - 5 p.m. for the annual Lawyers in Libraries celebration. Why Lawyers in Libraries? Because libraries are the heart of the community and justice is at the heart of our democracy.

This year's national theme: Toward a More Perfect Union – The Constitution in Times of Change.

The American Bar Association explained the theme: "The Constitution is a dynamic document, as it not only outlines a blueprint for government but also delegates power, articulates rights and offers mechanisms for change. It is neither perfect, nor exhaustive, as our nation's history makes clear. Legislation, court rulings, amendments, lawyers and 'we the people' have built upon those original words across generations to attempt to make the 'more perfect Union' more real. That effort continues today, as contemporary leaders and everyday citizens raise their voices as loud as ever to fulfill the promise of the Constitution. Defining and refining those words of the Constitution might be our oldest national tradition, and how each of us works-together-toward a more perfect Union."

In addition to discussing the Constitution, the presentation will focus on these three topics:

• Access to justice and why it is important to our communities.

• Legal resources that may be available to you in your community and in Montana.

• How to find and choose a lawyer when you have a legal problem.

Higgins will not be providing legal advice at this presentation but can direct people to local resources.

Higgins is a 2000 graduate of the University of Montana School of Law. Upon graduation, Higgins served as Judicial Staff Attorney for the Honorable John W. Larson. Higgins has been with MLSA since 2001 and has previously served as a Managing Attorney and Staff Attorney.

Higgins is the Vice Chair of the Western Montana Bar Association Pro Bono Committee, a member of the Missoula County Foster Care Review Board and a member of the Montana Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission's Committee on Self Represented Litigants. He also sits on an advisory committee for the Missoula Housing Authority's Housing Self Sufficiency programs. 

In 2016, Higgins won the George L. Bousliman Professionalism Award from the Montana State Bar for his work setting up a structured pro bono program for the Northwest Montana Bar Association and for his work creating easy-to-use forms for self-represented litigants with the Access to Justice Commission.

Come learn about the importance of the Constitution for the times and places we live in. Discover what legal resources are available to you in the area.

The Seeley Lake Public Library is located at 456 Airport Road in the Seeley Swan High School. For more information, call the library at 406-677-8995.