OppOrtunities fOr SUPPORT
Our MISSION The mission of the Texas Access to Justice Commission is to develop and implement policy initiatives designed to ensure access to quality justice in civil legal matters for low-income Texans, also known as Legal Aid. Currently there are approximately 6 million Texans who qualify for Legal Aid. Legal Aid helps low-income Texans with basic, critical legal needs in matters such as housing, disability benefits and employment. The Supreme Court of Texas created the Texas Access to Justice Commission in 2001 to foster a comprehensive, integrated Legal Aid delivery system for people who need legal help but may not be able to afford it or find it. The Commission's goal includes reducing barriers to the justice system and increasing resources and funding for Legal Aid. Charged with increasing resources for Legal Aid and developing policy initiatives, the Commission works tirelessly to increase access to the legal system for Texas’ most vulnerable residents.
frOm Our CHAIR I urge you to support Legal Aid in Texas by contributing to the Access to Justice Campaign on the annual dues statement. Annually, only 7% of licensed Texas attorneys contribute. We need to do better! The goal of giving all access to justice is one of the fundamental principles on which our country was founded and an aspiration that makes ours a great profession. I hope that each of you will help in this great cause. If all members of our Bar contributed to the Access to Justice Campaign, we could raise over $13 million for legal service providers. Together, we can make a life-changing difference for thousands of our fellow citizens across Texas. Thank you for your consideration.
Harry M. Reasoner Chair Texas Access to Justice Commission
MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN thOusands Of LIVES acrOss texas
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LegaL aid: THE NEED • to be eligible for Legal aid, an individual must earn no more than $13,613 a year. for a family of four, the household income cannot exceed $27,938.
• due to a lack of resources, only 20-25 percent of the civil legal needs of low-income and poor texans are being met.
• approximately 67 percent of Legal aid clients are female.
• family law matters comprise 44 percent of legal cases.
• there is one Legal aid lawyer for every 11,152 texans who qualify for Legal aid.
• to find a Legal aid provider in your area, visit: www.TexasLawHelp.org.
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hOw YOU CAN HELP The Texas Access to Justice Commission, in partnership with Legal Aid service providers, foundations, and local and statewide bar associations, is committed to ensuring that all Texans, regardless of income, have meaningful access to the civil justice system. To make justice a reality for all Texans, we need your help. Below, you will find various opportunities for giving to Legal Aid in Texas. Some options call for monetary contributions.* Others require your time and expertise. Whichever options you choose, remember that your investment could save an abused woman's life, help an elderly person keep his home, or ensure that an ill child has access to medical care. If you are interested in being a partner with the Commission to enhance Legal Aid for the poor, please call 800.204.2222, ext. 1855 or visit www.TexasATJ.org. *Monetary contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Contributions will be directed to the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization and administrator of grants to legal service providers across Texas.
ACCESS TO JUSTICE campaign The voluntary ATJ Contribution on the State Bar of Texas Dues Statement provides attorneys with a convenient opportunity to make a contribution to Legal Aid in Texas. Simply include the suggested $150 ATJ Contribution in the total on your dues statements. Committed attorneys often contribute more than the suggested amount. The Commission aspires that all Texas attorneys will be Champions of Justice and contribute to the annual Access to Justice Campaign. Representatives from the Commission regularly visit law firms across Texas to provide information about the Access to Justice Campaign and opportunities for pro bono and financial support. To arrange for a presentation at your firm, call 800.204.2222, ext. 1855.
ENSURE ACCESS
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One gift can OPEN many DOORS Legal Aid funding in Texas is in decline. Although the poverty population of Texas has grown, federal funding for Texas has decreased. Additionally, Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA) Program funds have plummeted due to low interest rates. Without adequate resources, Legal Aid turns away thousands of people who desperately need civil legal services. Please make a tax-deductible contribution, which can be used to fund Legal Aid programs, train pro bono lawyers, or develop public education materials.
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a $75,000 donation can underwrite operating costs such as staff, equipment, technology or rent for a Legal aid office.
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a $50,000 donation can underwrite an attorney who will represent poor texans in the civil justice system.
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a $25,000 donation can underwrite a paralegal to support Legal aid efforts and advocate on behalf of poor texans.
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a $10,000 donation can help establish a battered women's assistance project that provides legal assistance to abused women and their children through collaboration with other service providers.
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a $5,000 donation can provide specialized poverty law training for pro bono and Legal aid attorneys in topics such as subsidized housing, consumer protection and supplemental security income regulations. •
a $1,000 donation can preserve housing for three low-income texans by preventing wrongful evictions.
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a $500 donation can help translate legal documents or public education materials to spanish, vietnamese or another language to assist underserved non-english speaking communities.
OppOrtunities fOr designated SUPPORT Innovative Projects and Programs with a Lasting Impact The Texas civil Legal Aid community is constantly developing innovative projects and programs to meet the ever-evolving landscape of civil legal needs for the poor. You can make a lasting impact by supporting a new project or program, such as a medical-legal partnership, where low-income patients are helped with legal issues that impact their health. Opportunities could include a mobile legal clinic that assists people in rural counties, where pro bono and legal resources are scarce; or, statewide special education workshops for parents of disabled children. The sky is the limit and a great way to make your mark in your community and Texas. Post Graduate Field Fellowship The Legal Aid Post-Graduate Fellowship provides opportunities for public service employment to dedicated graduates who might not otherwise find such positions early in their career. The fellowship provides funds to an outstanding new lawyer to work with a Legal Aid organization on behalf of underrepresented individuals. A $130,000 donation would support the work of a full-time attorney for two years in a Texas Legal Aid office. Summer Internship Program A designated $1 million gift would endow ten students each summer to intern at Legal Aid offices across Texas. The income earned from this endowment would create a lasting contribution to the Legal Aid community and assist countless low-income Texans for generations. Legacy Gifts Legacy gifts to the Access to Justice Fund provide a stable, enduring source of funding that protects the Commission's ability to positively influence the Legal Aid community for generations to come. Endowed funds are held in perpetuity according to donors' wishes and wisely invested. A portion of the income earned is used as designated by the donor. Common uses for the income earned include program support, financial assistance for Legal Aid attorneys and general operating support. The Texas Access to Justice Commission encourages planned gifts as a primary means of building strong endowment resources. Your gift can help create a lasting legacy and will touch lives through Legal Aid programs for generations to come. If you are interested in making a lasting impact on access to justice through your estate or other gift planning vehicle, please call 800.204.2222, ext. 1855.
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Lawsuit AWARDS and SETTLEMENTS Cy Pres Awards In some class-action lawsuits, the mandatory recovery cannot be feasibly and economically distributed to the absent plaintiffs. In these instances, the undesignated funds may be allocated to Texas Legal Aid. If you are an attorney or judge involved in a class-action case, consider designating Legal Aid as the recipient of the cy pres funds. Creative Settlements A plaintiff ’s non-pecuniary and punitive claims can be met with charitable donations that make access to justice a reality for poor Texans. This creative solution can offer a defendant positive press and tax benefits. Make Legal Aid your charity of choice whenever you are negotiating a settlement that includes a charitable donation.
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gifts Of TIME and EXPERTISE While financial contributions to Legal Aid are vital, contributions of time and expertise are also important. Please consider participating in the following opportunities: Pro Bono Services If you are an attorney or other legal professional, please volunteer your time to provide pro bono legal services through your local bar association, pro bono program or Legal Aid office. The State Bar of Texas has adopted a yearly 50-hour pro bono aspirational goal for Texas attorneys - that is less than one hour per week. The time you give makes a world of difference to the person or family you help. Additionally, law firms can implement policies to encourage and support all associates and partners in their pro bono efforts for low-income Texans. Advocacy You can show public support of Legal Aid programs and services in a number of ways. Write, call or email your state and federal senators and representatives asking them to prioritize funding and policy favorable to legal services. Contact your local newspaper to ensure they are giving sufficient attention to Legal Aid issues. Support policies, court rules and procedures that seek to increase access to justice for all Texans, regardless of income. General Counsel In addition to giving of your time and expertise, prioritize hiring firms that support Legal Aid and are committed to providing pro bono services to low-income Texans. By hiring these firms, you are demonstrating your commitment to ensuring justice for all Texans.
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dOnOr ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Texas Access to Justice Commission is grateful for the assistance and support of our donors. We want to ensure that you are properly acknowledged for your contributions. Depending on your level of investment, the Texas Access to Justice Commission will provide some or all of the following:
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naming opportunities for major donors
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Signage on the Commission website www.TexasATJ.org
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Mention in local and/or statewide press releases
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Firm’s logo or name on Commission publications and promotional materials
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recognition in newsletters and on Texas legal services list serve
For more information, or to make a contribution, please call 800.204.2222, ext. 1855.
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thank YOU
1414 Colorado Austin, TX 78701 512.427.1855 800.204.2222, ext. 1855 www.TexasATJ.org 38839 1/12