News Release

Texas Access to Justice Foundation 
October 20, 2014

Pro Bono Week Celebrated at Texas Access to Justice Luncheon
Legislative Heroes, Supporters, and Prime Partner Banks Honored by Access to Justice Community

AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Access to Justice Foundation (TAJF) kicked off Texas Pro Bono Week today by hosting a luncheon with the Supreme Court of Texas at the AT&T Conference Center in Austin. TAJF, the Texas Access to Justice Commission, the State Bar of Texas and Texas legal aid service providers are joining a national effort to highlight the need to expand access to justice through pro bono civil legal services.

During the luncheon, Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht welcomed attendees, and Justice Eva Guzman invited Austin lawyer William O. Whitehurst, past president of the State Bar of Texas, to share his experiences with the IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts) program, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Whitehurst has served as a member of the State Bar of Texas Pro Bono College for more than 20 years. 

Justice Eva Guzman, the Court’s access to justice liaison, announced the creation of the Legacy Challenge: Reserves to Preserve Justice campaign in which funds remaining in officeholder accounts are designated for access to justice. Former Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson made the initial donation for the campaign and was recognized with an inaugural award named in his honor.

According to the University of North Texas Survey Research Center, Texas lawyers provide 2.24 million to 2.56 million hours – or the equivalent of $500 million – of free legal or indirect services to the poor. Even so, there is a large unmet need. It is estimated that there is only one legal aid lawyer for every 11,000 Texans who qualify for legal aid.

Harold F. Kleinman Award

The TAJF presented the prestigious Harold F. Kleinman Award, named after the first chair of the Foundation, to the State Bar of Texas. The State Bar of Texas played a crucial role in the creation of the Foundation 30 years ago and has continued to support its efforts to ensure access to justice for all Texans. State Bar President Trey Apffel, President-elect Allan DuBois and Executive Director Michelle Hunter accepted the award on behalf of the Bar.

Access to Justice Award

During the luncheon the Construction Law Section of the State Bar of Texas was recognized for its continued financial support. The Section has contributed $245,000 to the TAJF for civil legal services since 2007.

Legislative Hero Awards

The Texas Access to Justice Commission and Foundation launched the Legislative Hero Award program in 2010 to recognize legislators who, through their efforts, have significantly advanced access to justice in Texas by assisting with the appropriation of funds and/or other substantive activities related to the provision of legal aid in the state. Former State Senator Robert Duncan and Reps. Senfronia Thompson and Sarah Davis were recognized with this prestigious award at today’s luncheon.

Former State Senator Duncan was elected to District 84 in the Texas House in 1992. He served as president pro tempore of the Texas Senate during the 81st Legislative Session. During his tenure, he served as chair of the State Affairs Committee and as a member of the Natural Resources, Higher Education, Finance, and Education Committees.

Texas Monthly has five times named him among the state’s best legislators. In July 2014, he became chancellor of the Texas Tech University System. He was raised in Vernon, Texas.

Rep. Thompson is serving her 20th term in the Texas House of Representatives. She serves as chair of the Local and Consent Calendars Committee. She is on the Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee, Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee, and Redistricting Committee.

During her legislative career, Rep. Thompson has received numerous awards, including the Legislator of the Year Award from the Texas Family Law Foundation, and she was named one of the Top 10 Best Legislators by Capitol Inside and Texas Tribune. She is a native of Houston.

Rep. Sarah Davis is serving her second term in the Texas House of Representatives. She currently serves on the Public Health, Calendars, and Appropriations Committees and serves as secretary of the Women’s Health Caucus. She was recognized with a “Civil Justice Leadership Award” for work in the 82nd legislative session. Rep. Davis is an ex-officio member of the Texas Access to Justice Commission. She is a native of Sugar Land, Texas.

Other Awards

Also recognized were the Prime Partner Banks who provide extraordinary interest rates through the Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program. Independent Bank, PlainsCapital Bank and Preston State Bank received the Prime Partners in Justice Award for their participation in the program.

A complete list of Texas events for Pro Bono Week can be found by visiting:

http://www.probono.net/celebrateprobono/event-map/

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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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