More on IOLTA November 26, 2008
Posted by equaljusticeworks in public interest law.Tags: Equal Justice Works, FDIC, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Interest on Lawyer Accounts, IOLTA, legal aid budget cuts
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In the previous post, we reported that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) has moved to insure Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA) under the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (TLGP). In a time of dropping interest rates, nonprofit law firms and legal aid programs are already facing budget shortfalls due to IOLTA cuts. This decision preserves IOLTA as a funding mechanism for these organizations. We applaud the quick and decisive action taken by the FDIC to insure IOLTA, and we applaud the rapid response of the field to this urgent matter.
-Cole
Veena Iyer ‘pays it forward’ November 25, 2008
Posted by equaljusticeworks in law school, public interest law.Tags: Equal Justice Works, Harvard Law School, public interest law, Veena Iyer
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Equal Justice Works Alumna Veena Iyer uses her Harvard education and her experience as an Equal Justice Works Fellow to provide representation in immigration, family and housing law. Veena was determined to pursue public interest work and sought financial assistance and guidance to make her work possible. Read the profile of Veena and other public interest lawyers in the Harvard Law School Bulletin.
-Aaron
Retroactive enforcement of Proposition 8? November 21, 2008
Posted by equaljusticeworks in public interest.Tags: California Supreme Court, gay marriage, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Proposition 8, same-sex marriage, Shannon Minter
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The Supreme Court of California will decide on whether Proposition 8 is constitutional, but what about same-sex couples who already tied the knot? Equal Justice Works Alumnus Shannon Minter says couples who married before November 5 are legally married until the court decides otherwise. Anyone running into problems should contact the National Center for Lesbian Rights or other groups working on this issue.
Listen to the audio: KCBS Doug Stevens reports.
-Aaron
Your path to public service November 19, 2008
Posted by equaljusticeworks in public interest.Tags: AmeriCorps, Amy Potthast, Equal Justice Works, public service, The New Service
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Amy Potthast, author of The New Service blog, on Monday offered tips and advice to those considering enlisting in a service “corps” program such as Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps. Among recommended considerations are “what is my motivation”; “what expectations do I have”; and financial needs and obligations. Read the post here: http://thenewservice.wordpress.com/2008/11/17/choosing-a-service-corps-questions-to-ask/
ABA calls for protecting IOLTA funds November 13, 2008
Posted by equaljusticeworks in public interest law.Tags: ABA, FDIC, Interest on Lawyer Accounts, IOLTA
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The following is a guest post from Cole McMahon, Senior Program Manager for the Public Interest Law Opportunities unit. The views of guest bloggers do not necessarily reflect the views of Equal Justice Works.
Public interest attorneys could be affected by proposed FDIC rule changes to increase the liquidity in the banking system. Such changes could have a disastrous effect on Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA) funding, an essential source of income for legal service organizations across the country. Read the ABA’s statement for more information.
The American Bar Association urges you to submit comments to the FDIC. The posted deadline for comment is today. This is the core message: “The Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (TGLP) should be expanded to provide full coverage for IOLTA accounts, regardless of the dollar amount.” Providing context for the use of IOLTA funds by your organization is helpful.
There are three ways to submit comments. Faxing a letter on letterhead is the most effective. You may use this sample letter as a guide. Send the fax to the attention of:
Eric Spitler
Director, Office of Legislative Affairs
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
212/898-7062 (fax)
Comments may also be submitted via email to comments@fdic.gov. Include RIN # 3064–AD37 on the subject line of the message. You may also submit comments on the FDIC’s website.
-Cole
Public defenders sue to limit workload November 13, 2008
Posted by equaljusticeworks in public interest law.Tags: public defender, public defense
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From this weekend’s New York Times: Citing workload, public lawyers reject new cases. Watch the video accompanying this article – “The Thin Line of Defense” – for a look inside one lawyer’s struggle to help clients as his workload becomes overwhelming.
In at least seven states, public defenders’ offices have refused or have sued to limit new cases. From the NYT: “Public defenders are notoriously overworked, and their turnover is high and their pay low. But now, in the most open revolt by public defenders in memory, many of the government-appointed lawyers say that state budget cuts and rising caseloads have pushed them to the breaking point.”
-Aaron
