Eight Reasons Why Your Program Should Become a LAAC Member

1. LAAC represents all IOLTA programs in California and continues to be an important member of the legal services-private bar partnership in California. As a member, you will be an important participant in the statewide drive to increase access to justice for our clients.

2. As a unified voice for the legal services community, LAAC
advocates on behalf of member programs on important statewide issues. LAAC has recently worked to preserve court funding and access to justice, and voiced opposition to legislation that would create undue burdens on nonprofit legal aid. LAAC also submits amicus letters in cases affecting legal services, and invites member programs to alert the LAAC Board to issues of common concern for the legal services community.

3. LAAC develops and sponsors frequent, affordable training opportunities for legal services practitioners. In 2005, LAAC is cosponsoring the Pathways to Justice conference in San Francisco! LAAC has plans to continue providing quality, affordable MCLE trainings through its Traveling Trainings- which connect Support Center trainers to legal services advocates in rural areas, and its Family Law Trainings. As a member of LAAC, you will be helping to ensure continued innovative, comprehensive and affordable training opportunities for legal services advocates! In addition, member programs receive meaningful discounts on all LAAC sponsored Trainings.

4. Every year, LAAC awards Dan Bradley Fellowships to law students who work with California legal aid programs for eight weeks during the summer. LAAC will sponsor up to SIX Dan Bradley Fellows this year. Only LAAC organizational members are eligible to apply to host a Dan Bradley Fellow. The Fellowships not only provide an opportunity for your program to host a qualified and dedicated law student, but also helps to foster interest in legal aid and public interest law in the next generation of attorneys!

5. LAAC members receive the California Legal Services Support Center Directory. Published annually by LAAC in partnership with the Western Center on Law and Poverty, the Directory is a great resource for the legal services community.

6. Through its Awards of Merit and Annual Reception, LAAC creates an important forum for honoring members of our community. Additionally, in conjunction with its semi-annual Family Law Trainings, LAAC presents Family Law Awards. All organizational members are eligible to make nominations for these Awards, which are one of the few honors to focus solely on celebrating the achievements of the California legal services community!

7. As a member program, your staff is eligible to serve on the LAAC Board and vote in Board elections, to decide who within the community will work to advocate for greater access to justice through LAAC!

8. Our strength as an organization is directly related to your participation and support!