Laura Tuggle, a representative of Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, updated the Terrebonne Parish Council on Oct. 29 about the organization’s work locally and plans for 2026.

“We are a nonprofit organization, and we provide free legal services to low income people, including in Terrebonne Parish,” Tuggle said, adding that the Houma office closed “just under 400 cases” in the previous year. She told the council the office tracks measurable economic impact and reported an economic impact of $977,339.94 tied to the organization’s work in Terrebonne Parish during the last year.

Tuggle said the parish contributed $40,000 to support the office in the prior year and that the Louisiana Bar Foundation provides additional support statewide. She described a shared-use agreement to borrow a “justice bus” from Acadiana Legal Services for outreach in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes and said the office will borrow the bus multiple times a year to deliver legal services at libraries, senior centers and other community sites.

The organization also received notice that its Legal Services for Veterans grant was renewed; Tuggle said the renewed grant was expanded to include Terrebonne after another local provider did not receive renewal. The veterans’ program will focus on veterans at risk of homelessness or financial instability and does not use income guidelines but does require a qualifying VA status.

Tuggle discussed plans to start a pro‑bono program to expand legal capacity in the Bayou region; she said the Houma office currently has three attorneys and needs more volunteer attorneys to meet demand, particularly in domestic-violence, family law and child-in-need-of-care cases. She also announced a new project, Mission for Mark, modeled on earlier efforts to serve cancer patients and their families with legal needs ranging from wills to benefits and workplace protections.

Council members raised the frequency of condemnation hearings and suggested referral paths; Tuggle said the office will accept referrals and provide brochures to parish nuisance‑abatement staff and the assessor’s office to improve early identification of households in legal need.

Tuggle left brochures and contact information; she gave a local office phone number (985‑851‑5687) for residents to use for intake and referrals.