Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc.

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. FRLS is a non-profit law firm serving 13 FL counties, offering low-income individuals access to justice through legal advice, representation, and advocacy.

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) was founded in 1966 as a private, non-profit corporation. FRLS provides free civil legal assistance to low-income people in thirteen counties in South Central Florida. FRLS assists clients with legal issues in Consumer, Employment, Public Benefits, Economic Stability, Housing, Elder, and Farmworker law, as well as Civil Rights and Family Law. FRLS also pro

vides legal assistance to migrant workers throughout the state of Florida. Currently, FRLS has seven regional offices with a staff of over 100, including 50 plus attorneys, and approximately 10,000 closed cases each year. REQUIRED NOTICES: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN FLORIDA 1-800-435-7352. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION # CH5251. AS A CONDITION OF FUNDING RECEIVED BY THE LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION (LSC), FRLS MAY

For more information or to see if you qualify for FREE legal help, please contact us today!
1-888-582-3410

✨ Staff Spotlight ✨ Meet Erika Baylis, Staff Attorney at FRLS’s Fort Myers office.Erika was initially hired three years ...
05/28/2026

✨ Staff Spotlight ✨ Meet Erika Baylis, Staff Attorney at FRLS’s Fort Myers office.

Erika was initially hired three years ago as a Family Law Staff Attorney, then ten months later joined as a Staff Attorney. She is passionate about serving clients who are facing extraordinary hardships, which many of our clients are. FRLS often assists people during the most challenging times in their lives and helps achieve favorable outcomes that can positively impact them for years to come.

She assists clients with bankruptcy matters and regularly witnesses the immediate relief this support provides. Many of her clients are elderly and have nowhere else to turn. Helping someone keep their home from foreclosure is among the most rewarding parts of her everyday work as an FRLS advocate.

A widowed senior turned to FRLS as his home approached a foreclosure auction and the risk of homelessness grew.FRLS repr...
05/27/2026

A widowed senior turned to FRLS as his home approached a foreclosure auction and the risk of homelessness grew.

FRLS represented him in court, secured extra time to obtain financing, and ultimately helped him save his home, a life‑changing outcome for a client with nowhere else to turn.

Florida attorneys can help change the lives of clients just like this.

If you need legal assistance with mortgage foreclosure, apply today: FRLS.org

FRLS had the opportunity to attend the Governor’s Hurricane Conference (GHC) right here in West Palm Beach, one of the n...
05/26/2026

FRLS had the opportunity to attend the Governor’s Hurricane Conference (GHC) right here in West Palm Beach, one of the nation’s leading events dedicated to hurricane planning, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.

Kathy Grunewald, who is the Senior Disaster Coordination Attorney at Legal Services of North Florida, Inc. (), is seen with our Disaster Legal Services Project Manager Millie Ramos.

The conference brought together emergency management professionals, nonprofit leaders, and community partners to share lessons learned, best practices, and innovative strategies designed to strengthen disaster resilience.

Learn more about FRLS's free disaster legal services: https://www.frls.org/hurricane-services

Today our offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. We take the time to honor those who have fallen in servi...
05/25/2026

Today our offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. We take the time to honor those who have fallen in service of our country, fighting for our freedoms. We hope you all have a safe and happy holiday, and we’ll see you tomorrow during normal business hours.

Applications are still open online at FRLS.org

RSVP today! Email Reservations@FRLS.org to join us for a complimentary morning of refreshments and networking at our Jun...
05/23/2026

RSVP today! Email [email protected] to join us for a complimentary morning of refreshments and networking at our June 4 Grand Opening in Port St. Lucie.

Mark your calendars for our June 4th special event and RSVP today! You're invited to join Florida Rural Legal Services, ...
05/22/2026

Mark your calendars for our June 4th special event and RSVP today! You're invited to join Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) as we celebrate the Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting of our new Treasure Coast Office in Port St. Lucie.

📅 June 4, 2026
📍 Port St. Lucie, FL

Come meet our team, tour the new space, and learn how FRLS is expanding access to justice for communities across the Treasure Coast.

We look forward to celebrating this exciting milestone with you. Please RSVP by Friday, May 29. Email [email protected] if interested.

✨ Staff Spotlight ✨ Meet Kathleen Teller-Stamis, Outreach Paralegal at FRLS’s Fort Myers Office.Kathleen came on board a...
05/22/2026

✨ Staff Spotlight ✨ Meet Kathleen Teller-Stamis, Outreach Paralegal at FRLS’s Fort Myers Office.

Kathleen came on board as a Legal Secretary in March of 2024 and was later promoted to Paralegal where she worked under our former LITC program and then with Pro Bono team. Now, she is involved in community outreach, meeting applicants in Desoto and Charlotte Counties.

Before FRLS, Kathleen gained many years of paralegal experience working at several law firms in New York and Miami as well as at her own paralegal business. She chose FRLS because of her belief in justice and equality for all. Her father, a survivor of the Holocaust, taught her great life lessons about helping those who are forgotten, disenfranchised and poor which still guides her work today.

Kathleen’s passion for helping others goes beyond her work as a Paralegal. In the 60s she was a member of Urban League, civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment, equality, and social justice for African Americans and underserved communities, that gave her the opportunity to meet Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In her free time she also dedicates time to her at-home animal rescue where she takes in unwanted, handicapped and abused animals for rehabilitation.

Simple Steps to Avoid Auto Repair Fraud Protect yourself — and your wallet — by taking a few smart precautions before ge...
05/21/2026

Simple Steps to Avoid Auto Repair Fraud
Protect yourself — and your wallet — by taking a few smart precautions before getting your car serviced.
🔧 ✔️ Verify that the Shop is Registered
All motor vehicle repair shops in Florida must be registered with the state.
📘 ✔️ Review the Florida Motor Vehicle Repair Act
This law protects consumers and outlines your rights when dealing with repair shops.
🕒 ✔️ Bring Your Car During Business Hours
Avoid after‑hours drop‑offs when possible. Always speak directly with staff about your concerns.
👨‍🔧 ✔️ Ask About the Mechanic’s Certification
Certified mechanics are trained to follow industry standards and provide reliable service.

If you believe you’ve been a victim of auto repair fraud, Florida Rural Legal Services can help.
🌐 FRLS.org
📞 1‑888‑582‑3410

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) joined community partners this past weekend at the Glades Housing Summit, a fr...
05/21/2026

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) joined community partners this past weekend at the Glades Housing Summit, a free public event held at the Eddie Lee Rhodes Gymnasium aimed at empowering local families with critical housing and financial resources.

The summit, held in recognition of Fair Housing Awareness Month, brought together residents, advocates, and legal professionals to address some of the most pressing housing challenges facing the Glades community. Topics included fair housing rights, landlord-tenant disputes, the homebuying process, and budgeting strategies, all designed to help individuals and families achieve greater housing stability and long-term financial security.

Visit FRLS.org
Or call 1-888-582-3410
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Special invite incoming...You're invited to join Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) as we celebrate the Grand Ope...
05/20/2026

Special invite incoming...
You're invited to join Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) as we celebrate the Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting of our new Treasure Coast Office in Port St. Lucie.

📅 June 4, 2026
📍 Port St. Lucie, FL

Come meet our team, tour the new space, and learn about FRLS's free legal services for communities across the Treasure Coast.

We look forward to celebrating this exciting milestone with you. Please RSVP by Friday, May 29. Email [email protected] if interested.

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) participated in the City of Fort Myers 2026 Hurricane Preparedness Expo, held ...
05/20/2026

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) participated in the City of Fort Myers 2026 Hurricane Preparedness Expo, held at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center.

Throughout the event, we connected with attendees, and distributed a wide range of disaster related materials, brochures and information about our legal services, ensuring community members left with resources that could support them before and after a disaster.

Jennifer Schmidt, of the City of Fort Myers, shared the following prior to the event:
“Thank you again for your participation in this year’s City of Fort Myers 2026 Hurricane Preparedness Expo. We truly appreciate your support in helping us connect residents with the critical resources and expertise needed to prepare for hurricane season.”

Learn more about FRLS's free disaster legal services: https://www.frls.org/hurricane-services

Address

Lakeland, FL
33801

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

(888) 582-3410

Website

https://linktr.ee/floridarurallegalservices

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