Houston Volunteer Lawyers

06/03/2026

We're proud to have America on our team! Here's to one year of her vital work of increasing access to information and assistance through the AH MLP!

In May, we celebrated the two years since the formal beginning of the Medical-Legal Partnership between Houston Volunteer Lawyers and AccessHealth. This month, we're celebrating a more recent addition to our program: the addition of a Legal Access Fellow from Texas Immigration Law Council! One year ago, America Malacara joined us in expanding access to justice for low-income, limited-asset individuals in the greater Houston area. For months, America has been visiting the AccessHealth clinic lobbies, letting patients know about the MLP. In addition, she creates materials with legal information for clients and service providers alike. Please join me in celebrating this milestone!

05/29/2026

HYLA recognized HVL Staff Attorney Iris Onassis as the 2026 awardee for the Justice Jeffrey S. Boyd Excellence in Access to Justice Award last night. Iris received this honor because of her fierce advocacy and passion for increasing access to justice. Her dedication is evident in the quality of mentorship she provides for pro bono attorneys and the care she gives to each client she interacts with. HVL is proud and grateful to have the privilege of working to close the justice gap with Iris!

05/27/2026

HVL/AH MLP Staff Attorney Susan Soto has been making a difference in the lives of AccessHealth patients for two years!

Melissa Hender, LCSW shared a heartwarming story to exemplify Susan’s dedication to her patient clients: "Having Susan Soto in our office has been exceptionally beneficial, not only to the clients but also to staff, as she is able to provide guidance regarding legal matters. One of my patients is having concerns with his apartment management and fees they are charging him monthly and not attending to his maintenance issues. Ms. Soto provided answers to questions regarding charges that the patient was unaware of on his lease. Patient is in his 80’s and management did not discuss any of these charges at time of signing and his apartment is not up to standards. Management has only addressed one issue, one time, thus demonstrating a predatory landlord. Thanks to Ms. Soto, my patient is now at ease knowing his rights and having legal guidance throughout this process."

Read Susan's blog post here: https://www.makejusticehappen.org/newsroom/two-years-of-innovation-addressing-legal-needs-through-the-hvl-accesshealth-medical-legal-partnership/

Houston Volunteer Lawyers

05/27/2026

Before the month of May comes to an end, we would like to recognize . FAPAC’s 2026 theme of “Power in Unity” resonates heavily with HVL and the people we serve. Join us in celebrating the vibrant Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities that bridge gaps through innovation, resilience, and connection.

05/26/2026

This May marks two years of the Medical-Legal Partnership between HVL and AccessHealth. This partnership has contributed to improved quality of life of nearly 1000 patients as the first MLP in Fort Bend and Waller Counties.

Are you a patient of AccessHealth in need of civil legal services? Connect with your Community Health Worker to start the application process.

05/25/2026

05/22/2026

Today is Harvey Milk Day!

As one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S., Harvey Milk’s legacy continues to inspire our fight for justice, equality, and human rights for ALL people.

05/20/2026

05/19/2026

On May 13, MLP Staff Attorney Susan Soto and AccessHealth Lead Community Health Worker Carol Luna traveled to Charlotte, NC to attend a Community Justice Worker convening hosted by Frontline Justice, a national organization with a mission to mobilize, support, and equip trusted community advocates to become frontline legal helpers. The national movement to train community members to provide essential civil legal support to underserved populations, bridging gaps in access to justice, is a natural complement to our medical-legal partnership (MLP). The MLP helps to resolve AccessHealth patients' health-harming legal needs by increasing access to justice and continuously works to expand services to reach more members of the Fort Bend and Waller County communities. The MLP team looks forward to the possibility of adding Community Justice Workers to the team in the future. Pictured: MLP staff attorney Susan Soto meeting Texas Access to Justice Commission chairperson, Commissioner Harriet Miers. Pictured: Susan Soto and Lead Community Health Worker Carol Luna working together on an interactive learning activity during the convening.

HVL AH Medical-Legal Partnership

05/11/2026

Thank you to the Texas Bar Foundation for supporting the growth of HVL’s Workers’ Rights Program with a generous $10,000 grant. The Workers’ Rights Project began in late 2025 as a collaboration between Houston Volunteer Lawyers (HVL) and Tahirih Justice Center Houston (Tahirih) and is partially funded by TxILC. Thanks to the TX Bar Foundation, HVL plans to incorporate this program into our full menu of services offered to all eligible applicants seeking legal assistance.

Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $30 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation's largest charitably-funded bar foundation.