This technical report is part of a series on AIDS/HIV (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome/Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and is intended to help link various legal advocacy organizations providing services to persons with mental illness or developmental disabilities. This report discusses strategies to utilize existing disability models for provision of HIV legal advocacy services. The document considers: the need for coalitions of agencies to meet the AIDS public health crisis, legal advocacy service needs, and activities and services of Protection and Advocacy systems and Client Assistance programs. Examples are provided of programs serving persons with HIV infection including the Legal Center in Denver, Colorado, which has developed a comprehensive legal service system through building coalitions. Specific steps in building such coalitions are recommended to advocacy groups including: (1) locating members of the group/community and organizing; (2) identifying issues; (3) establishing goals, objectives, and timetables; (4) measuring success; (5) developing coalition leadership; (6) dealing with irrelevant or disruptive issues; (7) planning effective meetings; and (8) using the media. Contains 5 references. (DB)