Here for Our Community
Our Mission
At Indian River Legal Aid, we believe everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and understood when facing legal challenges. We stand beside families in need—offering guidance, support, representation, and peace of mind when it matters most.
Indian River Legal Aid Leadership
Board of Directors
Chairman
Director
Director
John E. Moore, III Esq.
Director
Director
Legal Aid Staff
John E. Moore, III Esq.
President
Pro Bono Program Director
Consulting Director of Operations, Strategy & New Initiatives
Our History
The Gifford Legal Services Clinic (GLSC) began with local attorneys Sam Block and John Moore, who recognized that many families in Indian River County were navigating serious legal issues without guidance or support. Sam offered monthly legal consultations at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center (GYAC), while John identified a donor committed to expanding access to legal representation. Working together with GYAC, they laid the foundation for the Clinic.
Although established in 2002, the Clinic launched full-time services in 2023, responding to the urgent need in what had long been considered a “legal aid desert.” Today, we are the only Florida Supreme Court-recognized Legal Aid provider in Indian River County.
Our work has grown from one-on-one consultations into a county-wide network of support, powered by a dedicated legal team and more than 50 volunteer attorneys from the Indian River County Bar Association. Together with donors, partners, and community advocates, we help our neighbors protect their families, their homes, and their futures—ensuring they are seen, heard, and understood.
Our New Name
We began as Gifford Legal Services Clinic (GLSC), rooted in the Gifford community and dedicated to closing the justice gap in Indian River County. As our reach expanded, our name evolved to reflect what we already do every day—provide free civil legal help countywide. Now known as Indian River Legal Aid (IRLA), our mission and services remain unchanged: supporting families through life’s toughest challenges with fairness, dignity, and hope.
Our Impact
Since our founding, IRLA has helped more than 557+ households and facilitated over 100 attorney referrals, valued at more than $491,735+ in free legal help.
With every case, every conversation, and every act of service, we strive to transform lives by building resilience, restoring stability, and giving families a fair chance to move forward.
- A single mother recovered money from a negligent landlord after months without water.
- A tenant with a chronic health condition finally had air conditioning restored after a pro bono attorney’s demand letter.
- A disabled woman, after 22 years of marriage, secured a divorce and equitable property distribution with free legal representation.
How We Help
We meet people where they are with our tiered model of legal services.
- Community Education & Tools
- Paralegal-Guided Self-Help
One-on-one support to prepare forms, navigate processes, and build confidence.
- Representation by an Attorney
Volunteer attorneys provide pro bono representation in the most complex and urgent matters.
This structure ensures that every resident can access the right level of help — from basic guidance to full representation — while maximizing the reach of our volunteer attorneys.
Practice Areas
Divorce
Alimony
Child Support
Equitable Distribution
Parenting Plans
And more…
Parental Rights
& Guardianship
Paternity
Adoption
Relative Custody
Timesharing
And more…
Probate & Estate Planning
Wills
Heirs’ Property
Lady Bird Deeds
Power of Attorney
And more…
Landlord / Tenant
Mediation
Eviction Defense
Unsafe Housing
Fair Housing Practices
And more…
Domestic Violence
Restraining Orders
Stalking
Dating Violence
Repeat Violence
And more…
Consumer Law
Debt Collection
Defense
Wage Garnishments
Foreclosure Defense
Bankruptcy
And more…
Employment Law
Discrimination & Harassment
Wage Disputes
Workplace Safety
Job Terminations
And more…
Civil Law
Contract Disputes
Property Disputes
Medical Malpractice
Scams & Fraud
Defensive Products
And more…
Our Funders
We are grateful for our supporters who make this work possible. Your generous contributions support programs that provide critical legal services to the vulnerable and disadvantaged members of our community.
Ready to get started?
Start with our quick, confidential intake so we can connect you with the support you need.