HOUSTON -- On Thursday, a West Texas courtroom will see hearings for all 416 children taken from a polygamist compound.

Each child must have a legal representative.

So, the courtroom will be overflowing with lawyers.

We've also learned attorneys and clerks from Houston and across Texas are traveling to San Angelo Wednesday to prepare for the hearing.

And that has created a problem.

Lawyer Donna Broom knows one thing for sure, she will volunteer in one of the state's largest custody cases.

“I can't imagine what these children must be going through,” said Broom.

But just about everything else about her trip to San Angelo, including where to sleep, remains up in the air. 

Broom is one of an estimated 350 lawyers providing services for free. She will join an army of state workers and legal staff.      

Just finding a place to stay has been a challenge.

“There are no hotels available in San Angelo,” said attorney Stewart Gagnon.

Gagnon has struggled to find housing for 11 colleagues making the trip.

“We're trying to arrange private housing with some of the lawyers in San Angelo,” said Gagnon. “Some of the citizens in the community are stepping forward and giving their spare bedroom and things like that.”

That doesn't even address the office space or computers lawyers will need.

As far as Broom is considered, she's hoping family can put her up through this first hearing.

But that's just the beginning of her work. She plans to return with students from the South Texas College of Law.

So, they can gain valuable experience. 

“These are talented students who are very motivated and ready to assist,” said Broom. “As they could learn, the challenges sometimes extend even outside the courts.”