PLAN is a pilot law clinic dedicated to low-cost, more accessible legal services for low- and moderate-income Hoosiers. The initial stages of our pilot aim to develop streamlined processes for the most common legal issues in family law and consumer debt.

The clinic is staffed by attorneys with experience in family and consumer law and legal assistants (all recent Indiana University graduates) who are helping build the PLAN business model with their special skills in technology, business management, marketing, and community outreach.

Where we come from

The clinic was founded to give Legal Assistants hands-on experience while filling a real gap in access to family and consumer legal help in our community.

PLAN was developed through the Applied Research Practicum: Legal Systems in Indiana (ARP) at Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Every member of the PLAN team is an alum and/or instructor of the course. Our attorneys are graduates of the IU Maurer School of Law. Our legal assistants are recent graduates of the Luddy School of Informatics, the Kelley School of Business, and the College of Arts & Sciences.

Direct client support

Emily Drummond, Legal Assistant

Legal Assistant / Head of Network

Emily Drummond

My name is Emily Drummond. Growing up in rural Indiana, I developed a strong connection to my community and a desire to give back. Through my work in community engagement, I’ve seen how much it matters to connect people with resources and support. I want to help make the legal system easier to understand and navigate, especially when someone is facing the stress of divorce or consumer debt. At the People’s Legal Assistance Network (PLAN), I’m excited to build relationships throughout our community and help Hoosiers feel informed and supported as they take their next steps.

Emily Drummond graduated from Indiana University Bloomington’s Kelley School of Business. Her background includes public media, event planning, and community outreach. She serves as PLAN’s Head of Network while working as an legal assistance, building connections with community leaders, service providers, and Legal Assistants to help PLAN better serve Hoosiers.

Eivin Sandstrom, Legal Assistant

Legal Assistant / Head of Marketing

Eivin Sandstrom

Hello, I’m Eivin Sandstrom! Growing up in Indianapolis, Hoosier pride has become central to who I am. Working with PLAN is the perfect opportunity for me to serve the people of Indiana, and learn about the legal issues facing them.

Eivin Sandstrom graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with degrees in Political Science and Spanish. He became involved with PLAN in its first year as a research practicum at IUB, where he conducted interviews with township trustees and librarians across PLAN’s seven county service area. He is an apprentice legal assistant.

Anthony Reyes, Legal Assistant

Legal Assistant / Head of Techonology /p>

Anthony Reyes

My name is Anthony Reyes. Raised in a diverse cultural background, I realized that though we may have differences, we share our problems. This inspired me to seek a way to create an impact on these shared problems. This is why I choose to serve Hoosiers as an Legal Assistant. I'm ready to start helping you through the difficulties of divorce or consumer debt and grow the People’s Legal Assistance Network.

Anthony Reyes graduated from the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at Indiana University Bloomington. After joining a research practicum at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, he was involved in the creation of PLAN and is now a legal assistant.

Attorney oversight

Attorneys

Elmer Thoreson, supervising lawyer

Attorney -pending license -

Elmer Thoreson

Hi, I’m Elmer Thoreson. I’m from Indiana, the region, specifically, and growing up, my family couldn’t afford a lawyer. I know a lot of Hoosier families are in that same boat today. That’s a big part of why I became a founding attorney at the People’s Legal Assistance Network (PLAN). I help people dealing with debt collection understand their options, get practical advice, and connect with other resources.

Elmer Thoreson attended Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, Indiana University Northwest, and Indiana University Maurer School of Law. He has practiced law for the last 7 years, but returned to Bloomington to help establish PLAN. Elmer is our attorney for debt collection matters. Pending Addmission to the Indiana Bar

Bella Bennett, supervising lawyer

Attorney

Bella Bennett

Hello, I’m Bella Bennett! Growing up in a low-income household and watching my own parents’ divorce and custody disputes, I saw firsthand the difference that legal help could make for families experiencing these issues. I joined PLAN as a founding attorney because I know how important it is for you and your family to get the help you need.

Bella attended John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas before attending law school at Indiana University – Maurer School of Law in Bloomington. Bella now works at Maurer as a program coordinator and instructor for the Applied Research Practicum, focused on building solutions to improve access to legal services. Bella is a attorney on family matters.

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