After a five year absence, the nonprofit public interest law firm Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS) returns to Butler this week.

Government spending reductions resulted in NLS closing its former full-time office in the city in 2014, but the organization raised money to reopen on a part-time basis due to demand for its services. The office will be open part-time, from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays.

“With additional fundraising, we're planning to (fully) reopen the office,” said Christien Kirby, director of development for the Pittsburgh-based organization. “Our plan, once we grow the funding, is to open full-time with the initial step of opening a third day.”

NLS assists victims of crime and low-income residents and their families with civil matters at no cost. NLS attorneys represent people facing forfeitures, foreclosures, loss or denial of government benefits and other civil issues and crime victims facing issues, such as identity theft.

“A lot of people can't afford legal help when they're facing life-changing challenges in court,” Kirby said. “Neighborhood Legal Services helps everyday Americans stand up for their legal rights. We help victims of crime with civil matters that are a result of their victimization.”

Depending on the particular types of civil legal problems, NLS may provide direct representation, advice, assistance in self-representation, brief service/limited legal assistance or referral to a private attorney (including free and reduced-fee). The organization also provides community education on legal topics.

The reopened Butler office will bring the number of NLS locations up to four, including offices in Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence counties.

Kirby said that while county residents were still able to obtain NLS services through the Pittsburgh office while the Butler office was closed, there was demand to reopen a local office.

“It was a very difficult decision we made to close the office. We always maintained services for Butler County residents,” Kirby said. “Because we weren't there, people didn't believe we had services or that services were available.”

Kirby said the organization understood the community's need to have, at the very least, a part-time office open and will continue to work with its partners to try to open the office five days a week.

Jackie Dimun, president of the county bar association, said the organization is glad Neighborhood Legal Services again has a physical presence in Butler County,

“We're really happy with the services they provide. We're glad that they're back,” Dimun said. “It seems they've been able to expand a little. It will service a population where it is greatly needed.”

A defendant in the criminal justice system who can't afford an attorney can be represented at no cost by the public defender's office, but defendants in civil cases are not entitled to court-appointed attorneys. “There is no right to counsel in civil legal matters, unfortunately.” Kirby said. “We work to ensure fairness in the civil justice system to protect people's rights and the rights of their families. We fight for justice and fairness. We operate as a legal emergency room for civil matters.”

The Butler office staff includes senior attorney Joan Tutak, attorney Alyssa Pietropaolo and receptionist Kendra Hillard.

Attorney Ariel Oliver, an Equal Justice Works Veterans Legal Corps Fellow, is available to provide legal services to low-income and homeless veterans and their families. Oliver, along with attorney Wendy Beechling, who works with protection from abuse victims, will work in the city office as needed, as well as three law students.

In addition to coming to the office, people can call NLS toll free at 866-761-6572 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. or visit the website www.nlsa.us to request services.

Kirby said the Butler office is planning to host community education workshops on topics such as landlord and tenant rights, custody rights and expungement.

WHAT: Neighborhood Legal Services open houseWHEN: 2:30 to 5 p.m. WednesdayWHERE: Suite C, plaza level, Holly Pointe Building, 220 S. Main St.