named programs · 12 · from sources
what they call their work
Attorneys Sharing Knowledge (ASK)
A mentorship program where volunteer attorneys answer questions from DNA litigators over the phone or email on specific subject areas.
Buying a Car Information
Educates consumers on the car buying process, including tips for shopping, understanding car loans and payments, and what to do before leaving a dealership.
CLE Presentations
Volunteer attorneys provide Continuing Legal Education presentations at bar association meetings, legal aid trainings, or the Navajo Nation Bar Review course.
Community Education Presentations
Volunteer attorneys deliver presentations to various community groups on legal topics such as criminal rights, consumer issues, estate planning, and property/custody issues.
Dealing with a Repossession Information
Offers guidance on preventing and managing vehicle repossessions, including advice on payments, understanding repossession laws on and off reservations, and court procedures.
How to Represent Yourself in Court Seminar
A bimonthly seminar presented by a volunteer lawyer and a judge, open to the public, covering topics like jurisdiction, starting a case, and trial procedures.
Identity Theft Information
Provides steps for individuals to take if they have been targeted by identity theft, including contacting businesses, freezing credit, and filing reports with the FTC.
Monthly Self-Help Divorce Clinic
Volunteer attorneys help individuals in a classroom setting to complete pro se divorce packets, answer questions, and review documents.
New Client Intake
Volunteer attorneys interview new clients, provide advice, or conduct brief services like making phone calls or writing demand letters.
Self-Help Clinics
Volunteer attorneys assist clients in completing self-help packets for legal matters such as divorce, custody, paternity, child support, and name changes.
Telemarketing Scams Information
Provides information and resources to help individuals identify, avoid, and report telemarketing, email, and internet scams, including phishing and tech support scams.
Volunteer Law Program (VLP)
Engages volunteer attorneys to provide pro bono legal services to low-income individuals, offering support like malpractice coverage, Westlaw access, and secretarial assistance to volunteers.
activities · 7 clusters
what they do
-
Auto Dealer Licensing & Compliance Support 3 activities
- Car Purchase Legal GuidanceProvides guidance on securing key legal and financial documents during car purchases, evaluating vehicle condition, and advises consumers on comparing dealers and vehicles. Also offers information on Vehicle License Tax exemption for Tribal Members in Arizona.
- Provide legal information and resources on consumer car purchase issuesOffers legal guidance, downloadable resources, and checklists to assist consumers with car purchasing, including warranty agreements, title transfers, loan agreements, test driving, dealer comparisons, and securing signed documents.
- Support tribal members with vehicle license tax exemption accessProvides specific information to help Tribal Members in Arizona access exemption from Vehicle License Tax.
-
-
Credit Counseling and Debt Management 3 activities
- Debt Collection and Repossession GuidanceOffers guidance to individuals on responding to debt collectors, negotiating payment plans to avoid repossession, accessing financial assistance, refinancing auto loans, and understanding legal consequences of acceleration notices. Also advises on actions to avoid during repossession threats and negotiating deficiency waivers.
- Provide legal advice for debt-related court casesOffers direct legal advice and referrals to individuals facing debt-related court cases through office contact and resource connections.
- Support individuals facing debt collection and repossessionProvides guidance on responding to debt collectors, negotiating payment plans, refinancing auto loans, understanding acceleration notices, avoiding repossession, and securing written agreements when surrendering vehicles, including advice on not signing documents or surrendering keys without legal counsel.
-
-
Pro Bono Attorney Recruitment & Training 3 activities
- Legal Training for LitigatorsProvides training to new litigators, which results in legal assistance for 100–200 clients over a six-month period.
- Pro Bono Legal Services CoordinationEngages at least 100 volunteer attorneys annually to provide pro bono legal services in Arizona and New Mexico.
- Train new litigators to expand legal service capacityConducts training programs for new litigators that enable them to provide legal assistance to 100–200 clients over a six-month period.
-
-
Community Legal Education & Outreach 2 activities
- Community Legal EducationOffers community education programs on legal rights and the justice system.
- Produce and distribute legal education materials on consumer and public benefits issuesCreates and distributes brochures and compiled legal information on public assistance, consumer debt, identity theft, car purchasing, and telemarketing harassment to support community legal literacy.
-
-
Elder Fraud & Cybercrime Victim Support 2 activities
- Consumer Legal Information and ResourcesCompiles and provides legal information and resources through brochures and downloadable guides on various consumer topics, including car purchase issues, consumer debt, identity theft, telemarketing scams, and online privacy.
- Provide scam prevention and consumer protection informationOffers information on telemarketing and email scams, directs individuals to FTC.gov for privacy and security resources, and informs about the National Do Not Call Registry for managing unwanted communications.
-
-
Free Civil Legal Assistance for Low-Income Communities 2 activities
- Deliver free legal aid in remote and tribal areasProvides legal assistance, representation, and community education in U.S. and tribal courts across three states and seven Native American nations, serving thousands of low-income individuals annually, including help with protecting property, civil rights, and avoiding exploitation.
- Legal Aid and RepresentationProvides free legal aid, advice, and representation in U.S. and tribal courts to thousands of low-income individuals annually across three states and seven Native American nations. This includes assistance with protecting property and assets, avoiding abuse and exploitation, safeguarding civil rights, and addressing debt-related court cases.
-
-
Pro Bono Legal Clinics & Intake Coordination 2 activities
- Legal Eligibility ScreeningOperates an online intake and pre-application system to determine eligibility for free or reduced-fee legal assistance and direct individuals to appropriate programs.
- Operate online intake and pre-application system for legal aid eligibilityManages an online intake and pre-application system to assess eligibility for free or reduced-fee legal assistance and direct individuals to appropriate programs.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2022
the money
revenue
Total revenue$5.45M
Contributions & grants$4.36M80%
Program service revenue$1.06M19%
Investment income$22K0%
Other revenue$7K
expenses
Total expenses$5.66M
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead25%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$4.06M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.56M
Cash$1.50M
Investments$744K
Liabilities$1.00M
Net assets$2.56M
Liquid reserves4.8 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +2.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022
who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RODOLFO D SANCHEZ | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $174K |
board members · 18
- ANGELINA JAMES — FORMER DIRECTOR
- ANNA ATENCIO — DIRECTOR
- ANNETTE TECUBE — DIRECTOR
- CHAD O ABEYTA — DIRECTOR
- DELORES COOCHYAMPTEWA — DIRECTOR
- EARL METTLER — DIRECTOR
- ELLA R WILSON — DIRECTOR
- HERM W OLSEN — DIRECTOR
- JOHNNY JOHNSON — DIRECTOR
- JUDY DWORKIN — PRESIDENT
- LAURIE KALIVAS — DIRECTOR
- LAVERNE H GARNENEZ — DIRECTOR
- LEWIS KING — DIRECTOR
- LOUISE J NELSON — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL MINNAUGH — DIRECTOR
- NANCY WHITE — SECRETARY/TREASURER
- RICHARD T TSOSIE — DIRECTOR
- VIRJINYA TORREZ — VICE PRESIDENT
relationships · 14
who they work with
- Arizona Department of Transportation Government — Source of Vehicle License Tax Tribal Exemption information for Arizona Tribal Members
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Partner — Collaborates by directing clients to its resources for sample letters and guidance on responding to debt collectors.
- County Bar Partner — Partners to deliver CLE presentations at monthly bar meetings.
- Equifax Partner — Recommends contacting Equifax to put a fraud alert on credit reports after identity theft.
- Experian Partner — Recommends contacting Experian to put a fraud alert on credit reports after identity theft.
- Facebook Partner — Social media platform used for sharing legal resources and increasing outreach.
- Federal Trade Commission Government — Advises filing an official report of identity theft with the Federal Trade Commission.
- Federal Trade Commission Government — Directs individuals to contact the Federal Trade Commission (ReportFraud.ftc.gov) if targeted by scams like unwanted calls, government impersonators, phishing, or identity theft.
- Navajo Nation Government — Provides legal jurisdiction and potential financial assistance through personal loan programs for clients facing repossession.
- Navajo Nation Bar Association Partner — Collaborates on CLE presentations and legal training opportunities for attorneys.
- State Bar Partner — Collaborates on CLE presentations and statewide legal aid trainings.
- The Alternatives Center Partner — Provides legal education presentations to youth on criminal rights.
- TransUnion Partner — Recommends contacting TransUnion to put a fraud alert on credit reports after identity theft.
- X Partner — Social media platform used for sharing legal resources and increasing outreach.