Giving Back

PRO BONO COMMITTEE

The pro bono committee’s mission is to promote equal access to justice by using volunteer skills and the financial resources of the Litigation Section to support pro bono services. Among other things, the committee oversees Section Members who provide case staffing for local and regional pro bono programs, selects recipients of the Litigation Section Annual Summer Internship Program (awarded to five pro bono providers), and awards four pro bono scholarships to the Annual Litigation Update seminar. The pro bono committee serves the Litigation Section and its members who cumulatively devote substantial volunteer time and money to assist underprivileged Texans.

2007 - 2008 Internship Awards:

The following organizations received Scholarship Awards of $4,000 each, for Law Student Summer Internships for 2007 - 20008:

Texas Rio Grande Legal Aide (Edinburg)
Family Violence Prevention Services (San Antonio)
Lone Star Legal Aid (Tyler)
Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Service (El Paso)
Advocacy Inc. (Dallas)

GRANTS COMMITTEE

The Litigation Section routinely awards grants to promote educational and charitable activities which improve the administration of our justice system, advance public education and understanding of the judicial system, and are sensitive to the needs of the public and the legal profession. The Litigation Section Grant Program seeks to support and promote programs which improve and support the Texas justice system through research, services, publications, institutes, forums and public education.

2007-2008 Grant Funding Criteria
2007-2008 Litigation Grant Application

Information regarding 2008-2009 applications will be available after September 15, 2008.

2007 - 2008 Grant Awards:

Cameron County Bar Association
The CCBA and the Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid (TRLA) co-sponsor a pro bono divorce clinic (a night court) for indigent clients. The CCBA provides volunteer attorneys who “just take one” pro bono divorce case on behalf of the indigent residents of the county. Volunteer attorneys are trained by local volunteer family law specialists who serve as mentors during a training session shortly before the assigned night clinic. CCBA sought money to assist in training.
Award: $2,810.

Texas Appleseed
Texas Appleseed requested funding to produce and distribute a judicial monograph for juvenile judges regarding issues surrounding youths with mental health and mental retardation issues.
Award: $4,000.

Oficina Legal del Publo Unido, Inc
Oficina Legal Del Pueblo Unido, Inc. (dba as Texas Civil Rights) sought funding for its “Promotora Outreach Program”. The program trains trusted women members of the community and survivors of abuse ("Promotoras") to do outreach in ten West Texas rural communities. They make presentations in homes, churches, community centers, and other venues to give basic information about domestic violence and available legal and other services. In the last year, they have made over 2,000 presentations.
Award: $7,000.

Housing Crisis Center
HCC educates and assists low-income people living in Dallas and Collin Counties (and surrounding communities) with issues pertaining to housing including: telephone counseling, landlord/tenant workshops, legal consultation, direct legal services, and case representation on matters relevant to low-income families and homelessness. The program provides participants with legal advice on their rights and responsibilities under Texas tenant law. 
Award: $1,500.

The Houston Association of Young Lawyers
HAYL requested funding for the Tomorrow’s Attorneys Pipeline (TAPP). The purpose of TAPP is to have lawyers work with diverse students at inner city high schools and thereby promote diversity in the profession. Attorneys visit classrooms for presentations on various legal subjects, and students are taken to the courthouse to meet judges and observe legal proceedings. 
Award: $2,500.

Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
DAYL requested funding to update and print four brochures that are handed out by various civil and criminal courts and at public service events and pro bono fairs.The brochures, printed in both English and Spanish are:
“Representing Yourself.  What You Need to Know” (Pro Se Handbook)
“Eviction. What¡¦s Next?” (Landlord/Tenant issues)
“Locked Up with Questions? Unlock the Answers.” (What to do if you are arrested)
“What Happens to Me Now?” (Information for Minors who are arrested)
Award: $2,500.

Dallas Urban Debate Alliance
Dallas Urban Debate serves as a partner to the Dallas Independent School District to provide debate programming and financial support for students who demonstrate a desire to participate in debate, and for those who excel, to compete at regional and national levels.
Award: $2,500.

Dallas CASA, Inc.
Dallas Casa requested funding to assist with expenses in their mission to serve abused and neglected children as court-appointed special advocates. Frequently, children are removed from their homes and often siblings cannot be placed together.
Award: $5,000.

Legal Aid of Northwest Texas
Legal Aid of Northwest Texas requested funding for depositions, land surveys, domestic violence social studies, and other miscellaneous litigation costs that cannot typically be covered by Legal Aid. This lack of funding forces clients and pro bono attorneys into sub-standard and time-consuming positions as they attempt to move cases forward.
Award: $2,500.
Thank_You_from_Legal_Aid_of_NW_Texas.pdf