LOOKING FOR WAY TO OFFER AFFORDABLE LEGAL AID

The Missouri Bar Association is looking at ways to expand legal services to more Missourians.

MBA President Charles Weiss said legal services should be available for those who need them, not just those who can afford them. He rightly observed that many middle-class people can't afford the $80- to $100-an-hour attorney fees.

The bar is looking at a number of ways to expand services, including implementation of a low-cost, pre-paid legal-service program.

Legal services for civil matters has worked well in Southeast Missouri, under the skillful guidance of director Warren Hearnes. He has learned to stretch a dollar as far as possible, and he has encouraged more than 100 attorneys in Southeast Missouri to participate in the program. In Southeast Missouri, the program operates efficiently and effectively.

If people can pay something -- even a small amount -- for legal services, they should do so. That money could go into a pool to help more clients. The feds should also look at allowing lawyers to collect contingency fees, only if they win, as payment.

With 23,000 practicing attorneys in Missouri, legal services should be available and affordable to more people.