House Appropriations Subcommittee Approves Bill Providing $328 Million for LSC

Thursday, April 19, 2012 – Legal Services Corporation

Washington, DC— The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) today marked up funding legislation that provides $328 million for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in Fiscal Year 2013.

Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA) and Rep. José E. Serrano (D-NY) both spoke on behalf of LSC.  In a statement, Rep. Dicks said: “The Legal Services Corporation is also cut when it should be getting an increase. The recession has drastically increased the need for legal aid for those who can’t afford it, and the LSC helps to ensure that access to justice is not limited to those who can afford an attorney.”

Rep. Serrano noted that the appropriation for Legal Services cannot meet the need, and stated that the LSC appropriation should be at least $402 million as approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, and recommended by the White House.

Most of LSC’s funding is used to support local nonprofit organizations via grants for the delivery of civil legal assistance to low-income Americans.

LSC funding was approximately $404 million in Fiscal Year 2011 before falling to $348 million in Fiscal Year 2012.

Established by Congress in 1974, LSC is the single largest funder of civil legal assistance in the nation. LSC grants help address the civil legal needs of the elderly, victims of domestic violence, veterans seeking benefits to which they are entitled, persons with disabilities, tenants facing unlawful evictions, and other civil matters.

Source: http://www.lsc.gov/media/press-releases/house-appropriations-subcommittee-approves-bill-providing-328-million-lsc

LAND OF LINCOLN LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO HOLD MEETING ABOUT THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF DISASTER VICTIMS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Michael Fiello, 618-457-7800 ext. 117, mfiello@lollaf.org

LAND OF LINCOLN LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO HOLD MEETING ABOUT THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF DISASTER VICTIMS

March 15, 2012, at 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. at the Harris-Pruett Building in Harrisburg

After a disaster like the recent tornado, the victims are sometimes overwhelmed by the shear number of problems that need to be addressed.  It is difficult to keep track of everything that must be done and to get the information you need about help that is available.  At the same time you must be careful that you do not get taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals who prey on disaster victims.

On March 15, 2012, at 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. at the Harris-Pruett Building, 107 East Church Street in Harrisburg, the Lawyers of Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance will be in Harrisburg and will hold a meeting at which they will present information on many of the issues that victims are dealing with, including:

• Replacing lost documents and other lost belongings
• Avoiding scams and frauds
• How to get emergency food and cash
• Whether you have to pay your rent or mortgage if your house is destroyed
• Whether you can make a claim for losses on your landlord’s insurance policy
• Whether your home can be foreclosed upon
• Tax benefits for disaster victims
• What to do if you cannot pay your bills because of a disaster
• How to replace lost or stolen benefits like social security and food stamps
• Your rights if your employer shuts down because of the disaster

The event is free to the public.  After the meeting, the lawyers will be available to talk to people individually and applications for legal assistance will be taken.  Actual legal representation is also free, but applicants must meet eligibility requirements to qualify.

Land of Lincoln is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation. We provide free civil legal services to low-income persons and senior citizens in 65 counties in central and southern Illinois. Our mission is to pursue civil justice for low-income persons through representation and education.

Staff Reductions Hit Legal Aid Programs

Staff Reductions Hit Legal Aid Programs

LSC Media Contact:  Elizabeth Arledge, Communications Manager

Washington, DC—The nonprofit programs funded by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) to deliver civil legal assistance to low-income Americans are implementing layoffs and staff reductions because of budget constraints, a survey conducted by LSC found.

According to the survey, LSC-funded programs anticipate laying off 393 employees, including 163 attorneys, in 2012.  The reductions continue a staffing downturn that began about a year ago. In December 2010, LSC-funded programs employed 4,351 attorneys, 1,614 paralegals and 3,094 support staff. During 2011, LSC programs reduced their staffing by 833 positions through layoffs and attrition. They now anticipate a new round of layoffs this year, bringing the staffing loss to 1,226 full-time personnel.

The survey was conducted in late December and early January, and 132 of the 135 nonprofit legal aid programs funded by LSC responded.

“These staff cutbacks are devastating,” LSC President James J. Sandman said. “At a time when low-income families are increasingly seeking legal assistance with matters involving domestic violence, foreclosure, veterans’ benefits and other matters, I am very concerned that these staff reductions will lead to reduced services for the most vulnerable among us.”

LSC-funded programs have experienced a decline in LSC and state grants, funds from Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA), and other revenue sources over the last two years. LSC—the nation’s single largest funder of civil legal assistance—received $348 million from Congress for Fiscal Year 2012, down from $420 million in Fiscal 2010.

LSC was established by the Congress in 1974 to provide equal access to justice and to ensure the delivery of high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans. The Corporation currently provides funding to 135 independent nonprofit legal aid programs in every state, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.

The Corporation’s grants help address the civil legal needs of the elderly, veterans, victims of domestic violence, individuals with disabilities and others with pressing civil matters. More than 60 million Americans have incomes at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty line and qualify for civil legal assistance—an income of $13,613 for an individual and $27,938 for a family of four.

http://www.lsc.gov/media/press-releases/staff-reductions-hit-legal-aid-programs

Statement by John G. Levi, Chairman, Board of Directors, Legal Services Corporation

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Federal funding has long been the cornerstone for legal aid, and essential to fulfilling our nation’s promise of equal justice for all.  We all understand that the rule of law is in jeopardy when the protections of the law are not available to increasingly large numbers of low-income citizens—especially victims of domestic abuse, the elderly and people facing the loss of  their homes. The nation’s poverty population has never been this large, and, as a consequence, requests for civil legal assistance are increasing.

As a result of the economy and funding squeezes at state and national levels, 2012 is clearly going to be daunting for the 136 nonprofit legal aid programs funded by the Legal Services Corporation.  This week’s House-Senate conference agreement, while providing $322.4 million for LSC grants, nevertheless represents an 18 percent reduction in basic field funding over the last eight months. Many LSC-funded programs will have no choice but to lay off staff and reduce the legal assistance they provide low-income Americans.

LSC is striving to do its part by expanding partnerships and collaborations to promote access to justice. To enhance support for legal services, the Board established a Pro Bono Task Force to identify innovative practices that can help increase pro bono services to low-income Americans and involve more law firms, law schools and others in the work of LSC programs.  We are exploring how to more effectively use technology to serve rural areas and provide legal information and court forms online.

We all understand the competing priorities within our government. This is not the time, however, to put at risk the orderly administration of our civil justice system.  It is essential that we and the Congress work to restore and enhance funding to LSC.

Click to see the original: http://www.lsc.gov/media/press-releases/statement-john-g-levi-chairman-board-directors-november-17-2011

 

House-Senate Agreement Cuts LSC Funding

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Washington, DC—A congressional agreement for Fiscal Year 2012 funding would provide $348 million to the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). Of that, $322.4 million would fund basic field grants for the delivery of civil legal assistance to low-income Americans.

LSC is currently funded at $398.1 million under an interim FY 2012 bill that expires on November 18.  LSC currently provides $372.9 million in grants to 136 independent nonprofit legal aid programs in every state, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories.

The House-Senate conference agreement would cut LSC’s overall funding by 13.9 percent and funding for basic field grants by 14.8 percent.  The agreement is scheduled to be taken up for a vote on the House floor this week.

The House had proposed $300 million in LSC funding for FY 2012, and the Senate had recommended $396.1 million.

Funding for LSC rose to $420 million in FY 2010 and dropped to $404.2 million in FY 2011. The last time LSC was funded at $348 million was in 2007.

Established by Congress in 1974, LSC is the single largest funder of civil legal assistance in the nation. The Corporation’s mission is to provide equal access to justice and to ensure the delivery of high-quality civil legal aid to low-income Americans. LSC grants help address the civil legal needs of the elderly, victims of domestic violence, veterans seeking benefits to which they are entitled, disabled individuals, tenants facing unlawful evictions, and other civil matters.

See the original press release at: http://www.lsc.gov/media/press-releases/house-senate-agreement-cuts-lsc-funding

 

LAND OF LINCOLN JOSEPH R. BARTYLAK PRO BONO AWARD PRESENTED TO JIM LEMONDS DURING NATIONAL PRO BONO WEEK

Attorney Jim Lemonds was presented with the Land of Lincoln Joseph R. Bartylak Pro Bono Award on October 27, 2011 at a meeting of the St. Clair County Bar Association.  Mr. Lemonds is lead trial attorney with Brown and Crouppen in St. Louis and has spent over 200 volunteer hours in the past six years assisting attorneys in the Central Regional Office of Land of Lincoln in East St. Louis.  Mr. Lemonds has participated in multiple trial advocacy skills trainings held for Land of Lincoln attorneys, performed demonstrations, and provided critiques of individual staff performances during these intensive, multiple-day trainings.  In addition, he has also served as a consultant on a number of predatory lending cases in the Central Region, helping our attorneys to evaluate damage claims.

“Jim has dramatically improved the quality of our skills training, because of his vast deposition and trial experience,” states Richard Chase, Litigation and Training Specialist with Land of Lincoln.  “He has handled more than 1,000 depositions and tried more than 100 jury trials to verdict. He is able to draw on this experience to give our attorneys invaluable advice on how to improve their litigation skills.”

“I very much appreciate the Board recognizing my work,” Jim Lemonds states. “But the real award goes to the lawyers and staff of Land of Lincoln who work their hearts out every day, just as Joe Bartylak did, to serve those among us who would otherwise be denied access to our justice system because of a lack of financial resources.”

The Land of Lincoln Joseph R. Bartylak Pro Bono Awards were created in 2011 in memory of Joseph R. Barylak, who was Land of Lincoln’s Executive Director from 1976 to 2003.  The Board of Directors of Land of Lincoln created these awards to honor a volunteer attorney from each of its five regions who has directly achieved outstanding results for our clients or who has supported Land of Lincoln staff in their delivery of high quality legal services.

 

 

LAND OF LINCOLN JOSEPH R. BARTYLAK PRO BONO AWARD PRESENTED TO EUGENIA HUNTER

Eugenia Hunter was presented with the Land of Lincoln Joseph R. Bartylak Pro Bono Award on October 20, 2011 at a meeting of the Jackson County Bar Association.  Ms. Hunter is a solo practitioner in Carbondale and a pro bono volunteer for the Southern Regional Office of Land of Lincoln.  As a pro bono volunteer she represents clients referred to her by Land of Lincoln without charging a fee for her services.  Over the past decade she has represented low-income clients in bankruptcy cases who were at risk of wage garnishment, utility shut off or asset impairment.  By doing so she has improved the lives of her clients and their families.  She has yet to turn down a case and has donated over 300 hours of pro bono time.

“Eugenia is a good-hearted person who is generous with her time and expertise,” states Michael Fiello, Managing Attorney of the Southern Regional Office.  “She is our go-to person when we have bankruptcy questions.  Most of the time she can answer those questions off the top of her head, but when she cannot, she looks into it and gets back to us.  This often results in an offer from her to represent the client pro bono because she is interested in helping the client find a solution to the problem.  She is very deserving of this award.”

“I thank Michael for his kind words, and for the opportunity to encourage solo and small firm practitioners to offer their services to Land of Lincoln,” states Eugenia Hunter. “Be willing to accept a case that requires you to stretch your knowledge.  It is rewarding and most of the time, even fun.  October 23 through 29, 2011 is National Pro Bono Week, so it is a great time to start.”

The Land of Lincoln Joseph R. Bartylak Pro Bono Awards were created in 2011 in memory of Joseph R. Barylak, who was Land of Lincoln’s Executive Director from 1976 to 2003.  The Board of Directors of Land of Lincoln created these awards to honor a volunteer attorney from each of its five regions who has directly achieved outstanding results for our clients or who has supported Land of Lincoln staff in their delivery of high quality legal services.

LAND OF LINCOLN JOSEPH R. BARTYLAK PRO BONO AWARD PRESENTED TO ROB CROSS

Roland “Rob” Cross was presented with the Land of Lincoln Joseph R. Bartylak Pro Bono Award on October 14, 2011.  Rob Cross, a partner with Brown, Hay & Stephens, is a current pro bono volunteer for the Northern Regional Office in Springfield.  Since 2001, he has donated over 225 hours of pro bono time in cases for Land of Lincoln clients, including contested divorce cases for domestic violence victims.  In addition, he has been an active volunteer in the Sojourn Order of Protection Pro Bono program in Springfield.

“We deeply appreciate Rob’s commitment to pro bono work,” states Lauren Pashayan, Managing Attorney of the Springfield office.  “Rob’s volunteer work over the past decade has made a huge impact in so many of our clients’ lives.”

“I think most attorneys provide pro bono services on a consistent basis on their own—in many ways throughout the community—and most of their hard work goes unrecognized,” states Rob Cross.  “I have been fortunate enough to work with Land of Lincoln and Sojourn over the years and am proud to be associated with these very necessary entities.  Land of Lincoln provides legal resources to members of our community who do not have the ability to hire private counsel, and I am honored to be recognized by them with the Joseph R. Bartylak Award.”

The Land of Lincoln Joseph R. Bartylak Pro Bono Awards were created in 2011 in memory of Joseph R. Barylak, who was Land of Lincoln’s Executive Director from 1976 to 2003.  The Board of Directors of Land of Lincoln created these awards to honor a volunteer attorney from each of its five regions who has directly achieved outstanding results for our clients or who has supported Land of Lincoln staff in their delivery of high quality legal services.

LAND OF LINCOLN JOSEPH R. BARTYLAK AWARD PRESENTED TO BRENT HOLMES

Attorney Brent Holmes will be presented with the Land of Lincoln Joseph R. Bartylak Pro Bono Award on October 6, 2011.  This Award was created in 2011 in memory of Joseph R. Bartylak who was Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation’s Executive Director from 1976 to 2003.  It honors a volunteer attorney who has directly achieved outstanding results for low income clients or who has supported Land of Lincoln staff in their delivery of high quality legal services to the poor and elderly.

The Honorable Matt Sullivan will present the award to Mr. Holmes during a meeting of the Coles-Cumberland Bar Association. Brent Holmes is a long-time volunteer through the Coles-Cumberland Bar Association who has consistently accepted referrals for eligible clients for over fifteen years.  He has devoted over 55 hours for the three cases he has closed in just the past two years, and he has donated more than 215 hours since he joined the pro bono panel after its formation in 1996.

“Brent is a model of what the term pro bono lawyer means,” states Clare McCulla, Senior Supervisory Attorney with the Charleston satellite office.  “These are deserving people with meritorious cases who might not have been able to resolve their problems without his help.”

Circuit Judge Matt Sullivan states, ‘The pro bono service of Brent Holmes and the Coles-Cumberland Bar Association is very important for the community because people with legal problems need access to legal assistance whether or not they can afford to hire attorneys.”

“I think that it is evident to any lawyer that there is an overwhelming volume for people in the legal aid agencies, and there is a dire need for the poor to have equal access to justice,” states Mr. Holmes. “I think there is a great sense of professional accomplishment when I am able to represent clients who otherwise would not have any chance to have their day in court or obtain a fair result in a case without a lawyer’s assistance.”  Mr. Holmes also notes, “Some of my most gratifying cases have been those where there are children in a custody dispute, and we were able to obtain a decision that is in their best interests and provides them with a stable home and opportunity to grow up and become productive in today’s society.”

 

LAND OF LINCOLN LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION, INC ANNOUNCES MADISON/VENICE CIVIL LEGAL PROJECT

MADISON COUNTY, IL – February 8, 2011 – In an effort to reach more of the low-income population in Madison County, attorneys from Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc. will be present in both Madison and Venice on a weekly basis to meet with potential clients and speak with individuals who have legal problems or questions.  Community leaders have graciously provided office space for the attorneys in several locations.  The current schedule of office hours is:

 Venice Senior Center (1302 Klein, Venice)              Monday – 10am-noon

Madison Firehouse (1800 3^rd St., Madison)              Wednesday 12pm-2pm 

New Shining Light (740 Broadway St., Venice)         Wednesday 3pm-5pm   

Residents of Madison or Venice who wish to speak with an attorney but are unable to come to any of the above locations may call the Alton Land of Lincoln office directly at (618) 462-0029 to set up an appointment to speak with an attorney. 

Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc. is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation, supported by the United Way of Greater St. Louis, that provides free legal services to low-income persons and senior citizens.  The range of civil legal services to clients include housing law, consumer law, health and economic security, elder law, disability rights, family law and community economic development.  All potential clients will be screened to determine the type of legal problem, conflict of interest, financial eligibility and citizenship.  These criteria factor into each decision on whether Land of Lincoln may take a case.

For additional information about Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation Inc, please visit www.lollaf.org or for information on the Madison/Venice Project contact  Amy Johnson  at arjohnson@lollaf.org.