Clarissa Ayala

Houston, TX — Lone Star Legal Aid proudly announces that Fallon Hamilton Vaughn, a staff attorney on the Civil Matters in Criminal Justice Team, has been elected Director of the Houston Lawyers Association (HLA). At the HLA’s 70th Annual Scholarship & Awards Gala held on May 3, 2025, Vaughn was also honored with the prestigious Presidential Pillar Award, recognizing her […]

When 65-year-old Royce Galbreath reached out to Lone Star Legal Aid, she had already received a denial from FEMA. A widow living with limited mobility, Royce relied on her cane and walker to move around her home, made accessible by a ramp and lift system. But after Hurricane Beryl tore through her neighborhood, her home was no longer the safe […]

When you’re living on a fixed income, every dollar matters. Ms. T, 57, resides with her husband in their quiet home as empty nesters. With both relying on limited Supplemental Security Income (SSI), any unexpected deductions or changes in benefits can create significant financial strain. After her husband was awarded SSI, Ms. T came to Lone Star Legal Aid with […]

Lone Star Legal Aid continues to make steady progress on our AI chatbot project, supported by the Legal Services Corporation’s Technology Initiative Grant. Our team is focused on building a smarter, more responsive system that empowers clients to navigate legal issues, starting with housing and family law, more easily and effectively. During our most recent project meeting, team members Ashley […]

For many families, Social Security benefits are a vital source of support. When those benefits disappear unexpectedly, it can truly shake their world. This was the reality for our client, Ms B, a dedicated 45-year-old mother of two, who faced an overwhelming situation when her disabled son’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits were suddenly stopped. Even though she had tried […]

Houston, TX (April 9, 2025) — Lone Star Legal Aid is honored to accept the prestigious ECI Marcia Johnson Change Agent Award on Thursday, April 10, 2025 on behalf of the Eviction Defense Coalition (EDC) for its groundbreaking work protecting housing rights and preventing evictions for Houstonians. The award will be presented by the Earl Carl Institute for Legal and […]

HOUSTON, TX – Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is proud to participate in East Texas Giving Day on April 29, 2025, an 18-hour online fundraising event that unites the region in support of local nonprofits. Organized by East Texas Communities Foundation (ETCF), this annual initiative provides an opportunity for individuals to make a lasting impact on their community by donating […]

In 2010-2011, Danay Jones was battling alcoholism and depression, challenges that ultimately led to an event that changed the course of her life. Facing three felony charges, she found herself trapped in a legal system that often leaves individuals with few options for redemption. Fortunately, her defense attorney, Melissa Morris, was able to get two of her charges dismissed. However, […]

At Lone Star Legal Aid, we are always looking for innovative ways to improve efficiency and enhance access to legal services. Our AI chatbot initiative is one such effort, and we’ve made significant progress over the past month. LSLAsks: Streamlining Administrative Processes On February 12, we met with our accounting department to discuss LSLAsks, our internal chatbot designed to streamline […]

Mr. Soublet, a 60-year-old man who has survived several natural disasters, was struggling to make ends meet. His only income came from Social Security benefits, which were being reduced to pay off old debts to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Social Security Administration. Because of this, he did not have enough money to pay his rent and faced eviction […]

Estate planning is more than just drafting a will—it’s about ensuring that a person’s wishes are carried out efficiently and legally after they pass. Without proper planning, an estate often has to go through probate, a court process that can be time-consuming and costly. By setting up the right legal documents, individuals can avoid probate and ensure their assets go […]

Houston, Texas—Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded three Technology Initiative Grants (TIG) from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) to implement innovative technology to advance access to justice and improve legal services. LSLA will advance its Legal Aid Content Intelligence (LACI) software, which tracks changes in laws and regulations to keep legal content […]

Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) honored the dedication of 27 employees during its final quarterly board meeting in 2024. Certificates of Appreciation, presented by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), recognized these individuals for their remarkable service of 25 years or more to advancing justice for underserved communities. Highlighting the ceremony were employees with exemplary tenures, including Gloretta Thornton, honored for […]

Mona Aarons, a 40-year-old married mother of three, faced an uncertain future when she and her family were served with an eviction notice for nonpayment of rent. Living in Houston, Mona and her husband both worked, bringing in a combined income of $4,800 per month, but rising expenses and unexpected challenges left them unable to pay two months’ rent of […]

Stephanie Hume, a 46-year-old single mother of three, faced an uphill battle after her home was heavily damaged during the April/May 2024 storms. She had inherited her father’s home after his passing, but the property records had never been updated to reflect her ownership. While her father’s will was probated, and she was named the sole heir, FEMA denied her […]

For Immediate Release November 19, 2024 Lone Star Legal Aid proudly hosted a series of impactful events and community education presentations last week as part of Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week (TVLAW). Designed to provide critical legal resources to veterans and their dependents, these events addressed common legal challenges faced by those who have served our nation. Throughout the week, […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HOUSTON, TEXAS — Northwest Justice Project, in collaboration with Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA), Lone Star Legal Aid, Pro Bono Net, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Legal Aid of Arkansas, Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Disability Rights California, California Rural Legal Assistance, Briefly Now, and several other significant contributors, […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 15, 2024 Rebecca Johnson Public Affairs Director, State Bar of Texas (512) 427-1714; rjohnson@texasbar.com Clarissa Ayala Communications Director, Lone Star Legal Aid (832) 627-8404; cayala@lonestarlegal.org Shelby Jean Communications Director, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (817) 339-5384; jeans@lanwt.org Samantha Rucobo Public Relations Manager, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (915) 241-6923; srucobo@trla.org Free legal assistance, toll-free hotline available For […]

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. has officially declared a major disaster in the State of Texas due to the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that began on April 26, 2024, and continue to impact our community. Federal assistance is now available to individuals in Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, and Walker counties. This aid can help […]

UPDATE: CHECK OUT OUR LITC SERVICE PAGE FOR A LIST OF NEW TAXPAYER RESOURCES In these FAQs, we explore the ins and outs of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) with Karyna Lopez, Litigation Director, shedding light on eligibility criteria, recent regulatory changes, required documentation, and more. How can I determine if I qualify for the EITC? If you have […]