Florida Rural Legal Services Inc - Lakeland, FL
Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. is a venerable nonprofit legal aid law firm established in 1966, providing vital, no-cost civil legal representation to vulnerable families, seniors, domestic violence victims, and migrant farmworkers throughout Central Florida.
Championing Justice and Civil Legal Aid in Lakeland Since 1966
Access to quality legal counsel is a fundamental right, yet navigating the complexities of Florida courts can be daunting for low-income families facing severe hardships. Founded in 1966, Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. operates as a nonprofit public-interest law firm providing free civil legal aid across thirteen Florida counties. Headquartered locally at 1321 East Memorial Boulevard in Lakeland, the firm's dedicated staff attorneys and pro bono partners advocate tirelessly to protect the civil liberties, housing stability, and economic independence of vulnerable residents.
Housing Security, Tenant Protection, and Consumer Rights
Unlawful evictions and substandard living conditions threaten family stability across Polk County. Serving as zealous residential real estate lawyers and consumer advocates, Florida Rural Legal Services represents tenants and low-income homeowners confronted by predatory practices and institutional misconduct.
- Eviction Defense and Tenant Rights: Defending impoverished individuals and families against unjustified evictions, retaliatory landlord actions, and unlawful security deposit withholdings.
- Habitability and Housing Code Violations: Compelling negligent landlords to address dangerous living conditions, structural hazards, mold infestations, and utility shutoffs.
- Foreclosure Prevention and Property Preservation: Assisting vulnerable homeowners and elderly property owners facing mortgage foreclosure, tax deed sales, or predatory lending scams.
- Consumer Protection and Debt Relief: Guiding financially distressed clients as dedicated debt relief lawyers to halt abusive collection practices, illegal wage garnishments, and creditor harassment.
- Disaster Legal Recovery: Providing counseling after hurricanes and natural disasters to challenge insurance denials and secure emergency relief benefits.
Family Safety, Domestic Injunctions, and Statewide Farmworker Rights
Preserving family safety and dignity is at the heart of the organization's mission. As compassionate divorce lawyers, child custody lawyers, and domestic violence lawyers, the firm helps survivors of domestic abuse, dating violence, and stalking obtain emergency civil injunctions for protection, secure temporary child support, and establish stable custody arrangements without financial burden.
Florida Rural Legal Services also operates a celebrated statewide Migrant Farmworker Unit. Working alongside agricultural laborers who power Florida's agricultural economy, the firm acts as fierce employment and labor lawyers and wage and hour lawyers. The unit combats labor exploitation, enforces minimum wage and overtime standards, and prosecutes severe health and safety violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Holistic Elder Law and Vital Public Benefits Assistance
The practice delivers extensive support to aging residents as caring wills lawyers and power of attorney lawyers, drafting essential end-of-life directives and protecting seniors against financial exploitation. Additionally, staff attorneys assist clients with administrative appeals involving denied Medicaid benefits, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility, and Social Security disability determinations.
Connect with Lakeland Legal Aid for Free Assistance
Legal assistance from Florida Rural Legal Services is provided free of charge to individuals meeting income guidelines and eligibility rules. Multilingual services are available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. Located at 1321 East Memorial Boulevard, Suite 101 in Lakeland, the firm welcomes applicants to call the local office at (863) 688-7376 or the intake hotline at (888) 582-3410 to seek legal help.
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Location & Access
Primary Address
Located along the busy East Memorial Boulevard (US-92) commercial corridor in east Lakeland.
Building Location
This is a modern two-story freestanding commercial office building built in 2008, featuring outstanding curb appeal and situated close to local conveniences like the S V Oriental Market.
Parking Details
The property features a private on-site surface parking lot with approximately 20 parking spaces available for clients and staff.
Public Transit
Served by Citrus Connection Route Purple Line (Inbound); nearest stop is at 1010 E. Memorial Blvd.
Accessibility / Suite Access
Enter through the main front entrance of the building on the ground level. The offices for the firm are easily accessible on the ground floor in Suite 101.