Chelan Douglas County Volunteer Attorney Services - VAS

06/01/2026

June is Pride Month. 🌈 At CDCVAS, we believe access to justice should be available to everyone, regardless of identity, background, income, or circumstance. We are committed to creating a community where people feel seen, respected, supported, and safe seeking help when they need it.

This month and every month, we celebrate inclusion, dignity, and equal access to justice for all.

05/29/2026

We believe justice should be accessible to everyone—regardless of immigration status, race, income, gender, or background. Our mission has always been to provide compassionate, professional, and confidential civil legal help, and that will never change.

Your privacy is our priority. All legal matters are handled with the utmost confidentiality, in full accordance with our legal and professional code of ethics. We understand that some may feel uncertain about seeking help, and we want to reassure you: immigration status has never been a barrier to our services, and we no longer ask about it during intake. We are here to support you—whether in person, by phone, or over Zoom. If we can’t assist, we will do our best to connect you with someone who can.

Everyone deserves to be heard, supported, and treated with dignity. We are committed to providing guidance, resources, and legal help—without barriers or judgment. Together, we create a stronger, more just, and welcoming community.

*Interpreter services and/or bilingual staff are available for communication in many languages, including Spanish, Russian, American Sign Language, etc. CDCVAS facilities are ADA accessible and virtual consultations are available.

05/28/2026

Meet the Board: Jennifer J. Tessier

Jennifer’s “Why” for board service:
“My ‘why’ is grounded in the belief that equitable access to civil legal aid is essential to community well-being and a fair justice system. I see CDCVAS as a vital organization helping ensure every person has the opportunity to navigate the legal system with dignity.”

Jennifer is a Datacenter Program Manager with Microsoft Corporation and a retired United States Navy veteran. She brings extensive leadership experience, a commitment to equity-centered systems, and a passion for expanding opportunity across rural communities in Central Washington. We’re grateful for her service on the CDCVAS Board. 💙⚖️

05/27/2026

Members of the CDBA gathered last week for some golf and a celebration dinner. CDCVAS is honored to included and to work together for greater access to justice. Over 50 local attorneys offer pro bono services through CDCVAS and countless others lend their financial support.

Outgoing Chelan Douglas Bar Association President, attorney Talia Lauren reflected on her term, delivered the President's Award to attorney Laurie Chamberlain of Overcast Law Offices - NCW, PLLC for his support, professionalism and overall commitment to the community. Talia passed the gavel to incoming CDBA President attorney Jacqueline O'Keefe of Jeffers, Danielson, Sonn & Aylward, P.S.

We love the local bar association and so grateful for their unwavering support!

05/27/2026

Join the Dementia Legal Planning Program for a discussion on the use and interpretation of advance legal planning documents. Hear about the practical application of powers of attorney and health care directives in the "real world” from an interdisciplinary panel of attorneys, physicians, and social workers. Learn how we can strengthen communication between legal and medical professionals when supporting individuals with cognitive decline or complex care needs.

Register here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/GCYy0rK9QyqcBJGJ8zdH7g #/registration

Sharing from the Dementia Legal Planning Program:

05/26/2026

After the long weekend, we’re back to regular hours and our Tuesday Walk-In Legal Clinic is happening today from 2–4 PM!

Stop by for a free, confidential consultation with a bilingual attorney. We can help with civil legal issues and offer guidance on next steps. First come, first served. Eligibility is based on income, civil legal issue, and residency in Chelan or Douglas counties.

Save time by applying online before you arrive: https://cdcvas.org/apply-on-line/

05/22/2026

CDCVAS will be closed on Memorial Day as we take time to honor and remember those who served. We will reopen and resume normal hours on Tuesday, May 26th.

We look forward to seeing you then.

05/22/2026

We had a successful CDCVAS Staff Retreat this week and somehow didn’t take nearly enough photos to prove it.

Our team gathered in the Community Room in our building for a day of thoughtful conversation, planning, and collaboration focused on the future of CDCVAS and continuing to bridge the justice gap in our community.

A huge thank you to Staci Jones of SRJ Collaborative for facilitating such a great retreat. We’re grateful for your guidance, energy, and insight!

05/21/2026

Why do judicial elections matter?

Judges make decisions that can impact housing, family stability, individual rights, public safety, and access to justice in our communities.

That’s why informed voting is so important. Taking time to learn about judicial candidates helps strengthen a fair and accessible justice system for everyone.

05/20/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. At CDCVAS, we recognize that mental health and access to justice are deeply connected. Legal challenges can be overwhelming, and stress often grows when people feel they have to navigate it alone.

Our goal is to help remove barriers and provide confidential, free support so you can get the guidance you need with less uncertainty and less stress. You don’t have to figure it out alone.