UPDATE enews (Winter 2013)

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 IN THIS ISSUE Legal Aid Helps Texans Stay in Their Homes Provider Profile: Disability Rights Texas How Do I Become a Champion of Justice?

December 2013

The Commission + SRL Are You Banking On Justice? (TATJF) The Commission & Foundation Celebrate Pro Bono Week Golfing for a Good Cause

Legal Aid Helps Texans Stay in Their Homes

SAVE THE DATE: Gala 2014

By: Harry Reasoner, Chair

In Partnership with The families of Las Lomitas were in danger of losing the homes they worked so hard to build, until Texas RioGrande Legal Aid intervened. Everyday legal aid organizations in our state help families like those of Las Lomitas stay safe, secure, and healthy in their homes.

Learn more here

THE COMMISSIONERS Harry M. Reasoner, Chair, Houston Cristy Arscott, Tyler Hon. Georgina M. Benavides, Edinburg Hon. Alfred H. Bennett, Houston C. Kay Caballero, Lubbock Carlos Eduardo Cardenas, El Paso Michelle Mei-Hsue Cheng, Austin Pedro "Pete" Fierro, Midland Clint A. Harbour, Austin Hon. Nathan L. Hecht, Austin Andrew L. Kerr, San Antonio Harriet E. Miers, Dallas Timothy W. Mountz, Dallas Richard L. "Dick" Tate, Richmond Ike Vanden Eykel, Dallas Wayne Watts, Dallas Hon. Sarah Davis, Houston Hon. Rodney Glenn Ellis, Houston David S. Morales, Austin James B. Sales, Chair Emeritus, Houston

Provider Profile: Disability Rights Texas By: Peter Hofer, Senior Litigation Attorney with Disability Rights Texas

STAFF Trish McAllister, Executive Director, Update Editor in Chief

Peter Hofer, Senior Litigation Attorney with Disability Rights Texas, shares how his organization is protecting the rights of children with disabilities in Texas.

Jocelyn Fowler, Staff Attorney Kristen Levins, Staff Attorney

Read more about the work of Disability Rights Texas.

Kimberly Schmitt, TAJF Communications Manager

How Do I Become a Champion of Justice?

3/26/2014

Page 2 of 3 You may have noticed we’ve been talking a lot about the Champion of Justice Society this year.

Curious about what it is and how you can join?

Read more to learn about the Society and how you can become a member.

Click HERE to join the Champion of Justice Society

The Commission + Self Represented Litigants

CONNECT

By: Trish McAllister, Executive Director

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The “Commission +” articles are designed to give you a better understanding of what the Commission is doing to increase access to the judicial system. This edition focuses on our efforts to reduce barriers for low-income people who cannot afford an attorney and who are not fortunate enough to get an attorney through a legal aid or pro bono provider.

DONATE

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 12487 Austin, Texas 78711-2487 (800) 204-2222 ext. 1855 FAX: (512) 427-4160

Learn about the work the Commission is doing to reduce barriers to the court system for self-represented litigants.

Physical Address:

1414 Colorado, 4th Floor Austin, Texas 78701 (512) 427-1855

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Are You Banking On Justice?

By: Richard L. “Dick” Tate

Do you have an IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account)?

Did you know that one of the easiest ways you can help support funding for legal aid funding is simply by banking at a Texas IOLTA Prime Partner Bank?

Learn more about Prime Partner Banks and how they’re helping close the gap in legal services funding.

The Texas Access to Justice Commission & Foundation Celebrate Pro Bono Week On October 21, the Commission and the Texas Access to Justice Foundation kicked off National Pro Bono Week with a reception honoring access to justice supporters and pro bono volunteers, including our guests of honor, Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht and former Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson.

Read more about the reception and our honorees.

Golfing for a Good Cause With the beautiful San Antonio Hill Country as its backdrop, the Second Annual Charity Golf Classic teed off on Nov. 14. The tournament, which is co-hosted by the Access to Justice Commission and the General Counsel Forum, benefits the Texas Access to Justice Foundation.

Read more about the event

Save the Date The 2014 Champions of Justice Gala Benefiting Veterans We’re excited to announce that next year’s Champions of Justice Gala Benefiting Texas Veterans will be held on May 26, 2014.

We hope you’ll save the date and plan to join us in Austin honor our veterans!

3/26/2014