Hammond's mayor has yet again blazed a trail in government.

The editor of Indiana Lawyer magazine praised Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. for providing a legal aid clinic in the Community, by stating "It's an idea worth copying."

The clinic has functioned as a city department, funded by the mayor's discretionary gaming funds, from November 2004 until the present moment.

McDermott's legal aid mission doesn't end there. He requires that lawyers working for the city and being paid without taxpayer dollars take cases at the clinic providing pro bono legal services.

The Clinic was also strongly endorsed by Randall Sheppard, Chief Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court. Kris Sakelaris, Director of Legal Aid Clinic said, "Indiana Chief Justice pushed to have certified interpreters in our courts to solve the language barrier.

"Because of our high Hispanic population in Hammond, it's important for me to have a bilingual paralegal in the clinic," said

Sakelaris.

The Legal Aid Clinic assists approximately 21 percent of Hispanics per year.

Kris Sakelaris, Lisa Berdine, April Etheridge, and other hard-working lawyers have contributed to the Hammond Legal Aid Clinic which has reached a milestone by servicing 1,000 clients within the four short years since it opened its doors.

Griselda Barraza a bilingual paralegal with more than 8 years experience interpreting in the Indiana court system, compassionately assists Spanish speaking petitioners and respondents at the Legal Aid Clinic.

"How is the person going to be heard if they don't speak the language," said Barraza. "They can't defend themselves, in their own language, but I reassure them that I'm there to help them," she added.

The Legal Aid Clinic provides civil services such as paternity, divorce, child custody, contract dispute and unemployment.

To obtain free legal advice or service, applicants are required to be residents of Hammond for at least one month, meet the poverty guidelines and household size. Normally the applicants are notified within 48 hours if they quality for legal assistance.

"We want to impress upon them that they don't have to be ashamed of asking or seeking some legal advice," said Sakelaris.

By not seeking legal advice, they'll compound the problem; such as signing a rental lease or a contract without understanding what they are signing and what the contract reads.

"This is their detriment," added Sakaleris.

For additional information or assistance, contact the Legal Aid Clinic at (219) 853-6611.