When a family faces the threat of eviction, their next steps can fundamentally shape the trajectory of their lives for years to come. Yet many families receive eviction notices with little time, few options and no attorney to help them understand their rights, preserve their housing if possible or find the best path forward.
Thankfully, Pine Tree Legal Assistance is there to help Mainers in need navigate these moments by providing free legal representation. As Maine’s oldest and largest statewide legal aid provider, the organization serves people with low incomes across all 16 counties and in Tribal Courts. Its work spans rental housing, public benefits, debt, family law, domestic violence, farmworker rights, veterans’ issues, foreclosure prevention and other civil legal matters, with housing representing its largest area of work.
With high demand for these services, the John T. Gorman Foundation recently awarded a grant to support Pine Tree Legal’s eviction prevention work with families. Funding will support approximately 150 to 200 cases, reaching an estimated 550 to 730 people, including 300 to 400 children.
A Powerful Advocate for Families
For families, that assistance can change the course of a case. Pine Tree Legal attorneys and paralegals help renters understand their rights, respond to court papers, negotiate with landlords, prepare for hearings and represent them in court. That support matters in a system where tenants rarely have private attorneys at their side. According to the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, tenants with an attorney are 85% more likely to avoid an eviction judgment than those without representation.
Attorney Jillian Reihl, who provides legal services from Pine Tree Legal’s Augusta office, said eviction prevention work often begins with helping clients fully understand their situation and weigh their options. Families may need to determine whether they can fight to stay in their home, negotiate more time, limit harm to their rental record or move with as little disruption as possible. Clear information can help clients make informed decisions before a fast-moving legal process limits their choices.
“A lot of my work is to demystify the situation and help people sit down and think through the possibilities,” Reihl said.
On the legal side, attorneys may challenge an improper notice, assert protections after a code complaint, negotiate with a landlord or stand with a tenant in court. That advocacy can shape a family’s future housing options, especially if it helps prevent an eviction judgment that could make securing another rental far more difficult.
Tailored Approaches Making a Difference
Whether a family is facing eviction or another kind of housing issue, attorneys tailor their approach to each client’s goals and circumstances. One family may need every possible day in a home because a child has medical needs. Another may want to leave on workable terms, protect a credit score or secure a positive landlord reference.
In 2025, the organization helped more than 2,000 households keep their housing. With Foundation support, Pine Tree Legal can continue to provide this legal advocacy to families before a court case disrupts housing and deepens the challenges they already face.
“Housing stability is essential to family well-being, but many are navigating an increasingly complex housing system without meaningful support,” said John T. Gorman Foundation Chief Program Officer Jennifer Beck. “In those pivotal moments, families need someone in their corner to help them understand their rights and options. The Foundation is proud to support Pine Tree Legal’s vital work to help families navigate those challenges and avoid deeper housing instability whenever possible.”
