News & Developments

December 22, 2011

Budget Cuts Leave Fewer Attorneys for the Poor

Nationally known New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has approved state budget cuts that have eliminated certain free legal services for qualifying residents. Since 1966, Legal Services of New Jersey (Legal Services) has provided free representation to residents whose annual income is 200 percent below the federal poverty level (e.g., a family of three with an annual income of $37,000 or less). Qualifying residents have received free representation for matters including divorce, landlord-tenant disputes, child support, and social security. Under this administration’s budget cuts, Legal Services will no longer handle divorces and other family law issues, forcing indigent residents to find other sources for free legal representation.

In fact, Legal Services’ operating budget plummeted from $72 million in 2008 to $42 million in 2011. The state’s budget for Legal Services dropped from $29.6 million in 2010 to $19.9 million in 2011 to a proposed $14.9 million in 2012. New Jersey’s legislature attempted to restore $5 million to Legal Services in the 2012 fiscal year budget; however, the governor line-item vetoed the $5 million and, what is worse, cut an additional $5 million from the budget.

Legal Services is comprised of seven different offices, each with its own board and budgeting system; however, due to state budget cuts, some offices are forced to close, attorneys are being laid off, and 65 percent of those seeking representation will be turned away. Prior to these stringent budget cuts, Legal Services was able to serve one out of every seven persons who sought help. Now, with fewer attorneys available, Legal Services will assist approximately 5,500 fewer clients this year.

Keywords: budget cuts, New Jersey, Legal Services of New Jersey

—Joy B. Tolliver, Esq., New Jersey

December 16, 2011

White House Recognizes Legal Aid Attorneys as Champions of Change

On October 13, 2011, the White House honored four attorneys from legal aid programs funded by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) who have dedicated their careers to providing justice for populations most in need. President Obama’s “Winning the Future Initiative” seeks to recognize those whose professional and personal pursuits have inspired others. Deemed “champions of change,” the honorees included David Hall, executive director of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid; Nan Heald, executive director of Pine Tree Legal Assistance in Maine; Lillian Johnson, executive director of Community Legal Services in Phoenix; and Addison Parker, former litigation director at the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky.

David Hall led RioGrande Legal Aid since 1975 and was selected by the Texas Lawyer as one of 100 lawyers who have shaped Texas’s legal history. Nan Heald has led Pine Tree Legal Assistance since 1990 and has used technology to expand access to legal resources for underrepresented populations. Lillian Johnson has led Community Legal Services since 1982, and serves on boards and committees to enhance access to civil legal assistance. Addison Parker retired in June 2011 after 32 years with the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund and now provides pro bono services to the LSC. Visit the White House’s website for more information on the Champions of Change program.

Keywords: White House, legal aid, champions of change

—Joy B. Tolliver, Esq., New Jersey

December 14, 2011

Wal-Mart Launches Medical-Legal Pro Bono Services

In spring 2012, Wal-Mart will launch its Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) with the Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Legal Aid of Arkansas. The MLP will include onsite and virtual pro bono opportunities for Wal-Mart attorneys and legal staff. When doctors suspect that a legal issue may be affecting the health of their patients, they will refer patients to attorneys for legal assistance.

The MLP concept has also gained great traction within the federal government. In July 2010, the United States Congress adopted the bi-partisan Medical-Legal Partnership for Health Act, which designates $10 million in federal funding for MLPs and authorizes the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide grants for MLPs nationwide. In 2010 alone, MLPs served patients at more than 225 hospitals and in health centers across 38 states. Through these programs, more than 13,000 individuals and families received legal assistance. Furthermore, over 10,000 medical professionals received training on the connections between poverty and health and learned how to identify unmet legal needs through a medical check-up. In furtherance of meeting this need, Wal-Mart aims to bring the MLP to children’s hospitals across the country.

Keywords: Wal-Mart, medical-legal partnership, Medical-Legal Partnership for Health Act

—Joy B. Tolliver, Esq., New Jersey

April 6, 2011

Stateside Legal Help for Military Families

The American Bar Association's Military Pro Bono Project connects active-duty military personnel and their families to free legal assistance for civil legal issues beyond the scope of services provided by a military legal assistance office. The Project accepts case referrals for limited civil-law matters on behalf of income-eligible service members from military legal assistance offices worldwide, and then places these cases with volunteer pro bono attorneys anywhere in the United States the legal representation is needed. You can find cases currently available for pro bono assistance here, and examples of the good work done by our volunteers here.

—Dawn M. Du Verney, Esq., Social Security Administration, Philadelphia, PA

April 6, 2011

Illinois Governor Signs Bill Abolishing Death Penalty

On March 9, 2011, 11 years after Illinois passed a moratorium on capital punishment, Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill abolishing the death penalty.

Back in January, Illinois lawmakers voted to do away with capital punishment. The governor then spent the following two months speaking with prosecutors, victims' families, death penalty opponents, and religious leaders before making a decision, according to the Associated Press. "I think if you abolish the death penalty in Illinois, we should abolish it for everyone," the governor said.

Governor Quinn was joined by colleagues and supporters at his Springfield office when he signed the bill to outlaw Illinois’ death penalty. The ban takes effect on July 1, and makes Illinois the fourth state in the past two years—following New York, New Jersey, and New Mexico—to abolish capital punishment.

Quinn also commuted the sentences of all 15 inmates remaining on Illinois’ death row. Five of the 17 people across the country who were proven innocent by DNA testing after serving time on death row were from Illinois.

» Read more: NPR.org

—Dawn M. Du Verney, Esq., Social Security Administration, Philadelphia, PA

April 6, 2011

Minnesota Supreme Court Extends Licensing Fees for Indigent Legal Services

The Minnesota Lawyer reports that the state's highest court has extended two fees on attorney licensing renewals as a means of increasing funding for indigent legal services. "The Minnesota Supreme Court has extended a $75 increase to the lawyer registration fee to help fund the state's public defense system and made a $25 increase for legal services permanent. The increases were sought by the Minnesota Board of Public Defense and the Legal Services Advisory Committee."

» Read more: Minnesota Lawyer

—Dawn M. Du Verney, Esq., Social Security Administration, Philadelphia, PA

New ABA Study Reveals Three-Fourths of Lawyers Provide Pro Bono Work to Poor

A study done by the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service reveals, among other findings, that nearly three-fourths of U.S. attorneys provide free legal services to disadvantaged individuals or organizations that serve them.

» Read the full report