Recent Broward Law Blog Features

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

ABA Pushes for 1,000-Lawyer Legal Corps


H. Thomas Wells, Jr., is the new head of the ABA and there is a noble feature today in their daily online journal about him pushing the White House for the creation of a 1,000-lawyer Legal Corps to represent the needs of those without the means to hire private counsel. The way things are going in our country that might mean lots of us.

Wells thinks that a Legal Corps would direct more lawyers into efforts to represent a broad segment of working people in matters arising out of the economic crisis, such as foreclosures. Legal Corps lawyers would bolster services already being provided by lawyers in local offices supported by federal funding channeled through the Legal Services Corp. and lawyers working on a pro bono basis.

Wells said the ABA is bolstering efforts to assist lawyers who have been affected by the economic downturn. One of those steps has been to create a “recession survival kit” or Lawyer's Resource Center that is available to members on the ABA website.

We forget sometimes the diversity and talent we bring as lawyers to the table. In a time of financial downturn, I do see lots of lawyers now boasting a 'foreclosure defense practice.' It would also be a good time for lawyers to reach out and lend their skill sets to the Legal Aid Society, because we can reasonably expect that the demands upon their agencies are also enhanced. So here is a shout out for Mr. Wells and the proposed ABA project. Read about it below.

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