FARMINGTON — Farmington Public Library will join other libraries across the state to host a time for people to “talk to a lawyer” on Law Day, May 1.

Farmington attorneys Ed David, Walter Hanstein and Kevin Joyce will be available at the library from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday to answer legal questions from the public at no charge.

The Lawyers in Libraries: Law Day 2014 event is organized through a collaborative effort of the Maine Justice Action Group. 

“Because libraries are at the heart of our communities and justice is at the heart of our democracy, librarians and lawyers are joining forces,” a program poster stated.

For Farmington, this is the second year that the library and the attorneys from Joyce, David & Hanstein law firm have participated, Melanie Coombs, library director, said.

“It’s a great program offering individual legal advice,” Coombs said.

The Maine Bar Association took care of the details and reached out to the library and attorneys, she said.

The local attorneys responded and volunteered, Ed David said Friday. 

“We meet with any residents who have legal questions,” he said. “We encourage people to come with their questions. It’s a free shot at an attorney.”

Areas of concern range from real estate and titles to estate questions and probate law, he said. There’s an endless array from family law questions to the occasional lawsuit questions on personal injury or workmen’s compensation needs.

The library provides space for people to meet quietly and privately with an attorney, Coombs said.

Access to legal advice and information is the purpose of the event. Participating attorneys will provide information about free resources, low-cost legal assistance and legal referrals.

“Legal access is critical to a community’s well-being; an entire community suffers when neighbors and friends go through foreclosure, are not safe in their homes, or cannot afford heat and food,” according to a release provided by organizers.

“We hope people will come and challenge us,” David said.

More information and a list of participating libraries are available at www.lawyersinlibraries.org.

abryant@sunjournal.com