Bowen graduate establishes nonprofit law firm in Hot Springs
A graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law partnered with a like-minded associate to create one of the few nonprofit law firms in central Arkansas.
“My dad said he always knew I’d be an attorney,” Angela Echols said. “Since I was a kid, I’ve been able to strategically formulate arguments.”
Echols graduated from the law school in 1999, and her career has flourished.
“My partner, Emily Reynolds, and I met one day for lunch and we talked about our interests and why we chose to get into the practice,” Echols said. “We both saw the need to bridge the gap between costly legal services and the people who were turned away because they couldn’t afford them.”
With a total of 23 years of experience between the two, Echols and Reynolds decided to start
Accessible Legal Services, located in Hot Springs.
At Accessible Legal Services, costs are determined on a sliding scale based on a person’s income and the number of residents living in his or her household. Thanks to grant funding, instead of paying $200 an hour, clients are now able to afford legal services for about $50 a month.
“The only reason we have now to turn down a client is if we don’t have the skill set they’re looking for,” Echols said.
As Echols continues to expand her reach, she hopes to build relationships and attract young, up-and-coming law students with the mindset to make a change in the community.
Ultimately, her goal is to build her clientele and open multiple nonprofit law firms throughout the state.
For more information, contact Echols at 501.239.850
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