News Release

Texas Access to Justice Foundation 
May 3,
2017

New Endowment Supports Free Legal Services for Texas Veterans

Joe Jamail Endowment for Veteran Legal Services Honors the Legacy of a Texas Legal Giant

(AUSTIN, TX) The Texas Access to Justice Foundation (TAJF) announces the launch of the Joe Jamail Endowment for Veteran Legal Services, an endowment fund to ensure that Texas veterans have fair and equitable access to the justice system.

Named in honor of Texas attorney Joe Jamail, a legend among the legal community and well-known for his philanthropic efforts, the Joe Jamail Endowment for Veteran Legal Services ensures that Texas veterans have access to the free, legal help they need to successfully integrate back into civilian life and secure the rights and benefits for which they risked their lives.

“We are proud to continue the legacy of legal legend Joe Jamail by dedicating these funds to providing free legal assistance to the individuals who have fought for our freedom,” Terry Tottenham, chair of the endowment committee of the TAJF board of directors, said.

Texas has the second-highest population of veterans in the nation. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, legal issues account for five of the top 10 unmet needs of homeless veterans. Obtaining access to free legal services can be critical for veterans to get the benefits and support they need for themselves and their families.

TAJF currently provides funding to 15 nonprofit organizations throughout the state that provide free legal services to veterans with civil legal matters including the denial of critical medical care, legal issues related to disabilities, family law matters, the denial of benefits and other issues that may arise due to a veteran’s absence from home during military service. Every year, these organizations provide free legal services to more than 8,000 Texas veterans. The Joe Jamail Endowment for Veteran Legal Services will allow these organizations to expand upon that work.

The fund was created by Houston attorney Richard Mithoff, a protégé of Jamail, to honor Jamail’s vision of access to justice for all.

According to Mithoff, “Joe Jamail was one of our greatest trial lawyers. But before he was a lawyer, he was a Marine. This Endowment honors Joe's commitment to justice and his commitment to veterans.”

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To contribute to the Endowment, visit:  Joe Jamail Endowment for Veteran Legal Services

The Texas Access to Justice Foundation, created by the Supreme Court of Texas in 1984, is the largest state-based funding source for the provision of civil legal aid in Texas. The organization is committed to the vision that all Texans will have equal access to justice, regardless of their income. The Foundation administers a variety of funding sources, which are earmarked to assist nonprofit organizations in providing legal aid to more than 100,000 Texas families each year. For more information, please visit: www.teajf.org.

Contact: Kimberly Schmitt
512-320-0099, ext. 104
kschmitt@teajf.org

 

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