OUR MISSION

We provide exceptional civil legal services by advocating for fairness, protection, and justice for our disadvantaged client community. 

OUR VISION

Our disadvantaged client community has easy and timely access to exceptional civil legal assistance.

OUR PRIORITIES

We’re committed to protecting families, securing housing, promoting economic stability, upholding rights and strengthening communities through compassionate legal support.

Your legacy is our priority. It's in our history!

Acadiana Legal Service Corporation (ALSC) is a nonprofit organization, funded primarily by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) and the Louisiana Bar Foundation (LBF), that provides free legal aid in civil matters to economically disadvantaged individuals living in our service area. We were incorporated in 1978 and began serving 6 parishes in 1979. We expanded our service area to 8 parishes in 1981. We added 3 additional parishes in 1992 with the merger of the former LSC-funded provider in central Louisiana.

By 2002, we expanded to a 16-parish service area by adding 5 parishes in southwest Louisiana. In 2017, with additional LSC funding, we were able to acquire 26 additional parishes in north Louisiana. Consequently, we are currently serving a total of 42 parishes in central and north Louisiana, encompassing most parishes west of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers.

The founders of ALSC understood the ideal that providing civil legal representation to the marginalized has the power to bring about hope, dignity, and justice for the individual and the community as a whole. We are committed to continuing the mission of making meaningful difference in the lives of our clients and community by helping to address their critical legal problems, such as domestic violence and other family law disputes, consumer finance, housing, public benefits, health, education, employment, and disaster benefits.

Our Core Values

Respect

We acknowledge and honor all individuals’ inherent value, worth, and dignity while embracing diversity, different perspectives, and varying experiences without prejudice or discrimination.

Compassion

We foster a culture of caring, empathy, and support while nurturing a genuine desire to serve and make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Innovation

We encourage and nurture creativity, fostering an environment where new ideas are generated, explored, and valued.

Responsibility

We are accountable as stewards of resources, client services, or organizational assets in order to minimize waste.

Integrity

We are trustworthy, dependable, and honorable with actions driven by a genuine desire to do what is right, even in challenging circumstances.

Our commitment to these core values enables us to make a positive impact in our communities. Learn more about our impact!

Meet our Board Members

George D. Ernest III

PRESIDENT

Santrica Pope

VICE PRESIDENT

Anna Simmons

SECRETARY

Julhelene Jackson

TREASURER

Susan E. Kutcher

Lindsay Meador Young

James E. Calhoun

Karen C. McLellan

Cynthia Cobb

Stacy L. Guice

Sylvia Hill

Mary Winchell

Brannon Menard

Ashley Freeman

Tamara Battles

Theresa Richard

Ann Poole

Melody Trout

Meet Our Management Team

Sachida R. Raman

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Tamiko Chatman

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Thomas H. Fields, III

LITIGATION DIRECTOR

Avis Gutekunst

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Nina Colman

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW MANAGING ATTORNEY

Franchesca Hamilton – Acker

CHILD IN NEED OF CARE MANAGING ATTORNEY

Vandana Chaturvedi

FAMILY LAW MANAGING ATTORNEY

Walter McClatchey

GENERAL LAW MANAGING ATTORNEY

Hailey Barnett

DISASTER MANAGING ATTORNEY

Taylor Robinson

HOUSING MANAGING ATTORNEY

Gregory Hopkins

PRO BONO MANAGING ATTORNEY

Christina Lemaire

INTAKE MANAGING ATTORNEY

Tiffany Augustine

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER

Paul Senegal

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGER

Margaret Derise

PROJECT MANAGER

Andre DeClouet

FACILITIES MANAGER

April Guillote

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Gwen Angelle

OFFICE MANAGER

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