For over 50 years, NLS has quietly served the low-income and vulnerable individuals in Allegheny County setting out each day on a path to ensure equal access to justice. All of the people represented by NLS are typically in crisis, with their basic needs for safety and security being threatened by domestic violence, eviction and/or unscrupulous creditors. In every case, NLS attorneys quickly address the client's issues and provide compassionate effective intervention on behalf of the client. Our support takes many forms. We educate, we give advice, and we provide representation in court. NLS currently serves low-income individuals and victims of domestic of violence in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Lawrence counties. When a criminal is lacking funds, the Constitution guarantees him the right to legal counsel. What happens when a citizen faces a civil legal crisis and is lacking funds? What right-to-counsel guarantees does the government provide him or her? Simple: none. NLS is a public interest law firm that works to help people with low incomes, the elderly, the sick and victims of domestic violence receive the legal counsel they need. Think about it - how does a young mother get a protection from abuse order? How does an unemployed man keep a roof over his family when a real estate shark is planning to evict him? How does a trusting senior citizen protect her assets after being taken advantage of by a predatory lender? How does a cancer patient appeal a public benefits denial that eliminates much needed transportation to chemotherapy. NLS works to ensure equal justice for everyone. Our support takes many forms. We educate; we give advice; and, if necessary, we even provide representation in court. In every case, our clients have reached a point of desperation because at least one of their basic needs of life - safety, shelter, health, food, warmth - is at risk. Last year, NLS handled 9,202 cases helping over 18,000 people resolve critical legal problems involving life's most basic needs: shelter, income, food, healthcare, essential benefits and personal safety.