Each year on the first Friday in November, the legal community celebrates Love Your Lawyer Day, a time to recognize the dedication, compassion, and public service of lawyers who make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. This year, on November 7, 2025, we take special pride in honoring the many attorneys who work tirelessly to promote fairness, uphold the rule of law, and expand access to justice—particularly those serving in legal aid and pro bono roles.
At the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library, we see firsthand how the work of these professionals strengthens our community. Legal aid attorneys provide critical representation to those who might otherwise face the legal system alone—tenants confronting unlawful evictions, survivors seeking protection from abuse, or families navigating complex matters such as child custody, child support, visitation, or divorce. Their efforts ensure that justice is not determined by income but guided by fairness, dignity, and compassion.
We are proud to collaborate with two of Houston’s leading organizations advancing this mission: Houston Volunteer Lawyers (HVL) and Lone Star Legal Aid. We also recognize an indispensable Harris County resource, the Office of the Public Probate Administrator. All three of these organizations play vital roles in expanding access to civil legal services for Harris County residents who need it most.
Houston Volunteer Lawyers
On the first and third Wednesday of each month, volunteer attorneys from Houston Volunteer Lawyers meet with clients virtually from a private LAWPod located inside the Law Library at 1019 Congress. During these sessions, attorneys provide limited-scope representation, assisting clients by drafting essential motions or other legal documents. Completed documents are securely emailed to clients the same day and may also be printed at the library free of charge.
Each clinic accommodates three carefully screened cases to ensure that every participant receives meaningful, individualized attention. Since the launch of the HVL LAWPods Clinics in June, volunteer attorneys have assisted 19 self-represented litigants—16 of whom were just beginning their cases and 3 whose matters had previously stalled due to service or procedural barriers.
Self-represented litigants seeking assistance in family law matters are encouraged to complete the HVL intake form to determine eligibility for LAWPods services. (For general HVL services and LegalLine scheduling, please visit https://legalhelphouston.org/.) Upon approval, qualifying participants are contacted to schedule a one-hour consultation at the Law Library’s LAWPod, conveniently located on the first floor of Congress Plaza.
With so many Houstonians receiving help in just the first six months of the program, we are proud to celebrate this innovative partnership with Houston Volunteer Lawyers. And on this Love Your Lawyer Day, we can truly say, we love our lawyers!
Lone Star Legal Aid
Our partnership with Lone Star Legal Aid also continues to grow. Over the summer, Amir Befroui, Managing Attorney of the Foreclosure Prevention Project at Lone Star Legal Aid, offered a series of public information sessions held at the Law Library. Topics included Property Tax Assessment & Collection Outreach, Mortgage & Home Equity Rights Outreach, Living with an HOA, and Estate Planning. These sessions have empowered residents to better understand their rights, manage property and financial concerns, and plan for the future with confidence.
Harris County Public Probate Administrator
Our third valued community partner, the Office of the Harris County Public Probate Administrator, further enhances the Law Library’s mission to support access to justice by providing direct education and guidance on probate matters. Public Probate Administrator Brandon Cofield and Deputy Administrator Nijm Ramsey, both experienced attorneys, lead an ongoing educational series at the Law Library designed to help residents better understand the process of estate administration.
Each Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m., Brandon and/or Nijm host a free, one-hour session covering key topics relevant to self-represented litigants. On alternating weeks, sessions focus on Probate 101 and Small Estate Affidavits, offering practical insight into the steps involved in initiating and managing probate cases. Mr. Cofield welcomes questions from attendees on topics such as heirship, probate and estate administration, as well as transfer of property and preserving generational wealth.
Throughout these sessions, participants receive valuable legal advice and are referred to the resources and forms available at the Law Library to help them navigate basic probate matters with greater confidence. This collaboration demonstrates how public service attorneys and the Law Library work together to provide meaningful education and guidance to Harris County residents.
Love Your Lawyer
As we celebrate Love Your Lawyer Day, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the attorneys who give their time, skill, and dedication to helping those in need. Through partnerships like those with Houston Volunteer Lawyers, Lone Star Legal Aid, and the Public Probate Administrator, the Law Library remains committed to supporting access to justice and ensuring that every member of our community has the opportunity to be heard.
For updates on upcoming legal aid clinics, public information sessions, and other access to justice initiatives, please visit the Law Library’s website or follow us on social media.