Tort for two: Attorney offers up legal advice with a cup of Joe

Larry Cruikshank/ViewAttorney Maria Perez Avilez assists a woman with legal questions during her Legal Lounge at Saxby?s Coffee Shop, 475 W. Craig Road. Avilez offers free legal advice to those who talk to her during her monthly sessions. Larry Cruikshank/ViewMaria Perez Avilez orders a cup of coffee prior to her March Legal Lounge session. Advertisement

Taking a seat at a dark oak table with an iced latte in one hand and sheaf of legal documents in the other, attorney Maria Perez Avilez was a refreshing contrast to the cut-n-dry lawyer image that looms large in the popular culture.

Her temporary offices also did not jibe -- but they did java -- as Avilez held free consultations at Saxby's Coffee Shop at 475 W. Craig Road from 1 to 3 p.m. in a monthly session she has come to call the Legal Lounge.

"I'm trying to reach those people who may need legal advice, but who often feel too intimidated to come into an attorney's office," Avilez said as she stood at the counter, waiting for her first chilled cup of the session.

"I also work with Clark County Legal Services pro bono as an attorney in family law, domestic violence cases, custody battles," she said. "But I wanted to reach out and do more in a setting that feels comfortable in order to reach the people who benefit most from legal advice."

Avilez conducted her first lounge in July 2007 at the Rejavanate Coffee Shop at 3300 E. Flamingo Road. Subsequent lounges then moved to Saxby's in Anthem, but found a permanent home in Avilez's North Las Vegas neighborhood when owner Shannon McEwen opened the coffee and pastry shop back in November directly across from what will become Craig Ranch Regional Park.

When Avilez approached McEwen with plans to turn the new shop into legal offices at least one Sunday a month, McEwen said she was not at all surprised.

"Our doors are always open for the community," said McEwen, who already is preparing for a Mother's Day open house at the shop with live music and storytime.

"When Maria comes in she makes it her spot," McEwen said as Avilez helped a patron fill a somewhat daunting stack of divorce papers.

Estella Alvarez had attempted to attend classes at Clark County Legal Services, but on two occasions had found classes canceled.

"The court told me she could help," Alvarez said.

Avilez, a mother of two who runs her own practice, will appear on the upcoming election ballot for justice of the peace.

She spent the better part of an hour conferring with Alvarez. In an attorney's office, a billable hour can range from $275 to $600.

Participants in the Legal Lounge sessions, Avilez said, often have come in seeking advice for themselves or their family members on legal issues such as misdemeanor crimes, traffic tickets, renter issues, child support and divorce, or simply how to find an attorney. Avilez warns participants that as Legal Lounge is an open forum, confidentiality is not assured.

"Part of being a lawyer is about making yourself responsible to your community," said Betsey Allen, an attorney in criminal defense, who accompanied Avilez to act as another resource for those seeking good legal advice along with their cappuccino.

"We both do a lot of pro bono work," Allen said. "It should be mandatory and it's not. When she first told me about this, I said good for her. She's very bright and very inventive and definitely about giving back to the community. Most lawyers don't always think about that."

The next Legal Lounge is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. on April 13 at Saxby's Coffee Shop, 475 W. Craig Road. For more information on the lounge, call 540-0808.