Fall 2014/Winter 2015

IOLTA

IOLTA: From the Chair...

By Hon. James S. Hill, Commission on Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts

It is with great pleasure that I begin my term as Chair of the Commission on IOLTA. As a recent Board of Governor's liaison to the IOLTA Commission, I had the privilege to witness firsthand the many accomplishments of the Commission under the leadership of its Immediate Past Chair, Penina Lieber.

IOLTA

Grantee Spotlight: Introducing the New Solo: Legal Aid Society of Orange County’s Incubator Program

By Negah Mouzoon

In 2013, William T. Tanner started scouting for likely incubator participants at swearing–in ceremonies. He would tap on strangers' shoulders until he found a newly minted graduate who was interested in his proposition. "Volunteer at Legal Aid and I can get you into court within the week," he would say. More often than not, that was all he needed to say.

IOLTA

News and Notes

New commission members

Legal Delivery

2014 ABA Annual LRIS Workshop, Long Beach: 7 Lessons Learned

By Mary Horowitz

Long Beach is known for its large shipping port and the many movies and TV shows that have been filmed along its amazing shoreline. In October, the ABA's Lawyer Referral and Information Service workshop in was held in Long Beach—and while a great recap movie was made, the scenery and gorgeous weather were just two perks of the workshop. Below are seven takeaways from Long Beach.

Legal Delivery

LRIS: From the Chair...

By C. Elisia Frazier, Standing Committee on Lawyer Referral and Information Service

As the first year chair of the Standing Committee on Lawyer Referral and Information Service, I would like to take this opportunity to formerly introduce myself and share with you my thoughts on LRIS, the goals of Standing Committee and summarize the issues now facing the LRIS community.

Legal Delivery

The Legacy of Cindy A. Raisch and the 2014 Cindy A. Raisch Award Winners

By Emmy Pasternak and Kathy Sabol

In 2014, two programs received the ABA’s Cindy A. Raisch Award for innovation in a lawyer referral service program. In each, partnerships were formed and new programs developed to create greater access for those in need of critical legal information and representation.

Legal Delivery

Meet the ABA’s Standing Committee on Lawyer Referral Service

Each year the ABA President-elect asks the Chair of the Standing Committee and ABA staff for recommendations for new members. There are nine committee members plus the chair, with a third of the committee (or so) rotating off each year. Terms of appointment are for no longer than three years.

Pro Bono

Pro Bono: Looking Back at 2014 and Forward to What's Coming in 2015

The year 2014 has come and gone. As usual, myriad year–end retrospectives focus on myriad things: legalized pot, same–sex marriage, a thaw in Cuban relations, a chill in Russian relations, racial (in)justice, immigration reform, torture, an Ebola epidemic, mobile phones the size of flat-screen TVs, and a preposterous if well-intentioned phenomenon called the Ice Bucket Challenge.

Pro Bono

Pro Bono Policy News

Several notable rule changes will impact how attorneys, law grads, and law students perform pro bono work.

Military & Veterans

Lawyers Giving Back: Helping Veterans to Receive their VA Disability Benefits

By Jason T. Vail

Of the benefits available to the men and women who have served in our nation's armed forces, financial compensation to those who have suffered physical or mental injuries during their time on active duty is one of the most important. As a nation grateful for their sacrifices, it is our responsibility to make whole those who have become disabled as a consequence of their military service.