The Law Office of Johnnie James, PLLC

PROJECT PURPOSE

To employ the up and coming minorities in the legal industry. Covid has impacted our ability to hire and retain quality minority applicants in a shrinking legal market. Tighter budgets for small firms AND lack of access to capital by clientele, make it difficult to recruit, hire, and maintain quality minority attorney and support personnel. Our firm seeks to provide quality representation both inside and outside of the courtroom, general legal education, and essential legal services to underserved families Tulsa County. The essential services include estate planning, business formation, expungements, in court representation, and payment of fines, fees, and bail on behalf of underserved in Tulsa County. Some areas of education will include estate/end of life planning, business development and growth. Our main target area are families North of I-244.

EVIDENCE

None

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

North Tulsa, (North of Highway 244) is home to 17% of Tulsa?s population, and holds 41% of Tulsa?s Black population. More than 35% of north Tulsa?s population lives in poverty compared with 17% in the rest of the city. The unemployment rate is 12.2% in north Tulsa and 5.7% in the rest of the city. Covid 19 has increased the need for essential services (estate planning, expungements, business legal services). (1) Unexpected Covid related deaths have left families unprepared and ill-equipped to deal with sudden loss. Families with no estate plan are forfeiting opportunities to build generational wealth, often leaving loved ones to carry the financial burden. (2) A decreasing job market equals a competitive market. Criminal history is a deterrent to employers. With Covid 19 impacting the job market in a negative way, criminal history makes it easier to disqualify an otherwise qualified applicant. (3) With jobs scarce, citizens have turned to entrepreneurship to create opportunities. Many startups are unable to afford legal representation to assist them with the essential formation documents and knowledge needed to navigate ordinances, statutes, and regulations. They often run into legal issues that impact the stability of a business and can lead to dissolution.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

We will collect and measure data thru (1) Close of representation surveys; (2) interviews with clients and their families; (3) focus groups with community leaders. Data will be analyzed on a quarterly basis. Information will be collected on how services have impacted them personally and future expectations regarding employment, educational, and finances.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma