DuPage Legal Aid’s Post

Join us for an enlightening discussion on 'Balancing Grace with Accountability in the Civil Legal Aid/Nonprofit Space' with Merf Ehman, Executive Director of Columbia Legal Services. 🌟 Explore how grace fuels systemic change and amplifies the voice of justice. Watch the full episode here: https://buff.ly/4bji1Bh #AllThingsGrace #SocialJustice #SystemicChange #GraceAndAccountability

🌟 Attorney Spotlight: Colleen Campbell 🌟 Introducing Colleen Campbell, a dedicated attorney at Knox Law focusing on business, commercial, and tax law. She also counsels nonprofit and tax-exempt entities, with a special passion for community development projects. Discover more about Colleen’s contributions and how she can assist you with your legal needs. 🔗: https://lnkd.in/g5pyJpVg #AttorneySpotlight #KnoxLaw #BusinessLaw #CommercialLaw #TaxLaw #CommunityDevelopment #EstatePlanning #KnoxLaw #LawFirm #EriePa #KnoxRocks

November's issue of "BT Now," Bet Tzedek Legal Services' monthly news digest, is out! In this issue, we highlight why it's more important now than ever to give back with this incoming administration and the shifting political tide, as a lot of our client populations will be threatened. We discuss why giving not only does good but makes you feel good, share a video from our attorney Hannah Feldman laying out the important work we do, uplift two media stories that feature Bet Tzedek from CBS and CalMatters, share a pro bono call to action, and more! Check it out!

As the summer has moved along, I have gotten deeper into the work at Brooklyn Defender Services through court observations, work on motions, trial preparation, and research assignments for open cases. I am getting a lot of first-hand experience observing hearings in family court, which has been very interesting to participate in. This week, I worked on preparing for a simultaneous permanency and motion hearing for a client. I prepared a digest for trial based on the ACS case notes available and used that to draft cross examination questions for the case planner during the hearings. To do this effectively, I also conducted research into legal arguments we were using to try to further our case, such as how certain factors in determining family reunification are defined in the law. It is exciting to learn how to prepare for trial and how to begin analyzing evidence in a way to be able to further our client’s case in court. It is exciting to learn how to prepare for trial and analyze evidence to help further our client’s case in court. To help Equal Justice America support future law students working toward the goal of providing equal access to justice for all, you can donate here: https://lnkd.in/ePp6aGuJ #EJAFellowUpdate

SEASON OF GIVING Each year about this time, we pause to talk about the upcoming Holiday season. This season is about family and friends. It’s also about recognizing others and giving thanks for what we have. And it is a time to think about folks who are less fortunate. That brings us to today’s topic: GIFTING. Broadly, there are two types of Gifts: 1. Gifts to individuals (usually family); and 2. Gifts to charity. Great information from Elder Law Expert Mark Reckman below. Check out the podcast https://lnkd.in/gbjc9mPx

For the past three years, our lawyers have provided pro bono support to individuals living in Tower Hamlets through our partnership with University House Legal Advice Centre (LAC). During the weekly clinic appointments, lawyers advise and assist individuals on a range of issues, including inadequate housing allocation (often based on medical needs) and disrepair. Read more here: https://ow.ly/cw1S50RgRJQ #ProBono #LegalAdvice #SocialHousing #Volunteers

Rule 6.1 of the Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct expressly tells Idaho lawyers that we have a professional obligation to, in addition to pro bono time, “voluntarily contribute financial support to organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means.”  Comment 10 to Rule 6.1 is even more explicit: “[T]he efforts of individual lawyers are not enough to meet the need for free legal services that exists among persons of limited means, the government and the profession have instituted additional programs to provide those services. Every lawyer should financially support such programs. . .”   Access to Justice Idaho provides the easiest, most direct and effective way for us to fulfill that professional obligation. And with a donation Idaho Lawyers join the 80 Idaho Judges - State and Federal Magistrates, State and Federal District Judges, State and Federal Court of Appeals Judges and 10 current and former members of the Idaho Supreme Court who have made individual donations ranging from $100 to $20,000 (yes that is accurate) in a year to support Access to Justice, Idaho since its inception in 2014. Join these Idaho jurists and the almost 1000 other lawyers and organizations that have banded together to help provide civil legal services to low-income Idahoans.   Former Chief Justice Roger Burdick explains more in this brief video   https://lnkd.in/gjDFH3vk   You can make a donation by clicking on this link  https://lnkd.in/gz-FBp5H Join us in this years effort

Crossroads Law lawyer Chyanne Sharma has been featured in the latest edition of Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch's BarTalk!   Her recent article, “Giving Back Through Pro Bono Work,” shares how she engages in pro bono initiatives, from volunteering with Access Pro Bono Society of BC to contributing as an executive member of the CBABC’s Unbundled Legal Services Section. Chyanne’s work highlights the importance of giving back and serves to inspires others in the legal community to explore meaningful ways to support access to justice.   Well done, Chyanne—we’re so proud of your leadership and dedication to our community!   Read the full article today, link in the comments. #Familylaw #Volunteer #Accesstojustice

Cuts in legal aid and funding for advice agencies, mean more people than ever face court alone. People have no choice but to represent themselves at a moment that could have life-changing outcomes such as loss of access to children or homelessness. They find themselves in a legal system that was not designed for people to navigate without the help of a lawyer, desperate for somewhere to turn. We provide a safe space, with volunteers who listen to each client’s story, help them to problem-solve and decide next steps, source reliable legal information, explain complex procedures, complete court forms, and clearly present statements. Credit: Support Through Court

For the past three years, our lawyers have provided pro bono support to individuals living in Tower Hamlets through our partnership with University House Legal Advice Centre (LAC). During the weekly clinic appointments, lawyers advise and assist individuals on a range of issues, including inadequate housing allocation (often based on medical needs) and disrepair. Read more here: https://ow.ly/gBCI50Rmmt5 #ProBono #LegalAdvice #SocialHousing #Volunteers