LAAC Accomplishments
Unified Voice of Legal Services
LAAC was created over 25 years ago by legal services programs to serve as the "unified voice of legal services", advocating on behalf of the community of IOLTA-funded legal services nonprofits. We are proud of LAAC's long-standing tradition of zealous advocacy representing the interests of legal services nonprofits, continued throughout 2009 as described below.
Awards
- Executive Director, Julia R. Wilson, was chosen by the California Lawyer Magazine as a California Lawyer of the Year in 2009.
Legislative Advocacy
- AB 2764 (Judiciary) LAAC members worked together to pass AB 2764 to provide approximately $1.75 million in temporary emergency funds for legal services over each of the next three years.
- Bench-Bar Coalition LAAC staff continued to work with the Bench-Bar Coalition on their annual Days in the District and Day in Sacramento on issues affecting access to justice.
- AB 12 (Beall) LAAC was one of the many organizations that worked on the successful passage of this bill that extends benefits for foster youth to age 21.
- AB 590 (Feuer) LAAC staff was honored to be appointed to the Judicial Council's Shriver Implementation Committee.
- Assembly Judiciary Hearing LAAC staff, along with representatives from member programs, the Access Commission, and the State Bar Office of Legal Services, spoke at a special hearing, "The Legal Aid Funding Crash: How Low is Too Low?" LAAC's testimony focused on finding additional funds for legal services.
Amicus Efforts
LAAC continues to be involved as amicus when appropriate. In 2009, we filed a letter with the California Supreme Court, urging them to review a case in which a plaintiff was not awarded private attorney general attorney's fees because she had a nonpecuniary interest in the outcome of the case. In 2010, the Court reviewed and reversed the lower court's decision in Conservatorship of Whitley, 50 Cal.4th 1206 (2010).
Building a Statewide Community
Executive Director Meeting
On June 7, OneJustice convened a meeting of senior management from California's legal services nonprofits. The morning was spent discussing the "Campaign for Justice," a multi-pronged and multi-agency approach to raise 10 million dollars for legal services by December 2013.
The Campaign for Justice Committee has been working with a marketing and branding company, BrandCulture Company, which has offered significant pro bono consulting work on developing draft key messages and a proposed visual identity for the Campaign. At the meeting, BrandCulture introduced the messages, and a proposed logo and tagline.
Additionally, the Campaign for Justice Committee, a group of individuals from the State Bar, LAAC, and other nonprofits, introduced a proposed implementation plan setting possible goals and objectives for the next few years to continue to raise new funds to off-set cuts in IOLTA grants due to low interest rates.
Coordination of Programs Serving California's Vulnerable Seniors
In June, LAAC convened three regional meetings for advocates serving older Californians. During the gatherings, held in San Francisco, San Diego, and Sacramento, legal services providers met, shared ideas with, and made connections with other senior advocates, including ombudspersons and Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) staff within their own communities.
Members of LAAC's Senior Legal Services Provider Section facilitated discussions on three key issues: language access, volunteer and pro bono best practices, and resource sharing. More than 60 advocates attended the meetings, and LAAC plans to host additional regional gatherings in the Central Valley and other areas later this year. In addition to in-person meetings, LAAC plans to begin holding calls throughout the year as well---providing you with a way to stay connected with others serving older Californians.
