Hundreds gather for a free hot breakfast from a local church under the viaduct on 500 South and 700 West. But they can also find help with legal issues such as disputes with employers, landlords, Social Security benefits, welfare, food stamps, child custody and divorce.

Anderson also gives advice in settling minor criminal violations like trespassing, jaywalking and loitering.

Depending on the weather and the time of the month, sometimes only a handful of people show up in the two hours Anderson, a University of Utah law professor, and her students volunteer. But the group could see higher turnout after being listed in a new directory for Utahns who need free or low-cost legal help.

And Justice For All, a nonprofit that offers free or low-cost legal services, released the guide in May and is distributing it to social service providers, church groups, and courts all over Utah. The guide is first of its kind in Utah.

"It [the guide] is incredibly valuable," said Lowry Snow, president of the Utah State Bar. "People with limited resources have the greatest need to have their rights protected. As we face economic downturn, the group that needs those services is expanding."

Anderson said she went to law school with the goal of helping those in need. She is just one of a number of Utah attorneys listed in the guide, who will occasionally take on the case of someone who cannot afford to pay attorney fees.

Attorney Jay Kessler volunteers two hours every Thursday giving free legal advice at the St. Vincent's de Paul Center in Salt Lake City. He said free legal assistance not only helps the courts, but also can be a tremendous relief for people with no other options.

"They get to tell their stories. They get to tell their grievances. Psychologically it helps people," he said. "I think it would be disastrous if people didn't have these outlets."

cmayorga@sltrib.com

Search for legal help

Access the Free and Low Cost Legal Services in Utah guide:

* Online at www. andjusticeforall.org

* In person at the Community Legal Center, 205 N. 400 West in Salt Lake City.

Utah Legal Services locations

Utah Legal Services: Offices in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo and Cedar City. Salt Lake City, call 801-328-8891. Outside of Salt Lake City, call 1-800-662-4245.

* Helps victims of domestic violence obtain protective orders.

* Assists in Landlord/tenant disputes.

* Helps people with benefits, including SSI disability and food stamps.

* Works with seniors, with services such as exploitation, abuse and wills.

Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake: Office in Salt Lake City, call 801-328-8849.

* Handles family law cases including custody, visitation, child support, alimony, provision of health insurance and day care, distribution of assets and debts.

* Domestic violence program assisting adult and child victims to get protective orders regardless of the victim's income.

Multi-Cultural Legal Center:: Office in Salt Lake City, call 801-486-1183.

* Seeks to ensure that racial and ethnic communities receive equal representation and treatment.

* Helps women who are married to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who are domestic violence victims petition for residency status.

* Helps individuals who have not been paid by employers to file claims through the administrative process or in small claims court.

* Offers seminars on several legal topics in cooperation with the Asian Legal Committee and other organizations.

Disability Law Center: Offices in Salt Lake City, Cedar City and Utah County. Salt Lake City, call 801-363-1347. Outside Salt Lake City, call 1-800-662-9080.

* Serves as Utah's primary legal advocacy agency for 376,000 Utahns with physical, mental and developmental disabilities.

* Services free to all eligible persons.

Free legal clinic nights are held in counties all over the state. Four main agencies also offer free or low-cost help.

Source: Community Legal Center