FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2003
TEXAS LAWYERS DONATE IN EXCESS OF $1 MILLION TO LEGAL AID
Texas Access to Justice Commission to honor associations with highest percentage
of participating attorneys
AUSTIN, Texas – As part of the annual State Bar of Texas dues process, Texas attorneys have donated more than $1 million to assist with the delivery of legal services to poor and low-income Texans.
In addition to their annual State Bar dues, attorneys may voluntarily contribute $65 or more to the Access to Justice Campaign. The funds are earmarked for civil legal aid. To date, more than 17,000 attorneys statewide have chosen to donate the additional amount.
The Texas Access to Justice Commission will present the first Deborah G. Hankinson Access to Justice Awards to the local bar associations and Texas Young Lawyers Association affiliates in the cities with the highest percentage of contributing attorneys. The Hankinson Awards were named for former Supreme Court of Texas Justice Deborah Hankinson, a staunch advocate of access to justice for the poor.
The four award winners by category are as follows:
- Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association – Small City Texas Young Lawyers Association affiliate ($2,705)
- Houston Young Lawyers Association – Large City Texas Young Lawyers Association affiliate ($66,751)
- Kerr County Bar Association – Small City Bar Association ($2,610)
- Houston Bar Association – Large City Bar Association ($276,797)
John R. Jones, chair of the Texas Access to Justice Commission, said “I am proud of the commitment that Texas attorneys have shown to access to justice for the poor. Although we could give out only four awards, Texans are fortunate to have so many working together in so many ways, whether it is time or money, to make our system of justice such a success.”
The awards presentation will be held on Saturday, August 2, at the annual Bar Leaders Conference in Irving, Texas.
The mission of the Texas Access to Justice Commission (www.TexasAJT.org) is to develop and implement policy initiatives designed to expand access to, and enhance the quality of justice in civil legal matters for low-income Texans. The Supreme Court of Texas created the Texas Access to Justice Commission to identify and assess the legal needs of low-income Texans and to coordinate services for people who need legal help but may not be able to afford it or find it.
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