Metropolitan News-Enterprise

 

Thursday, November 20, 2008

 

Page 3

 

State Bar Launches Website to Aid Fire Victims

 

By a MetNews Staff Writer

 

The State Bar of California has compiled a list of resources to aid law firms and others who want to contribute assistance to the victims of the recent southern California fires, the organization announced in a release.

It is also conducting a preliminary disaster impact assessment with legal services organizations, bar associations and State Bar-certified lawyer referral and information services in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and Ventura, the organization said.

Lawyers and firms who would like to volunteer or provide legal services to fire victims were directed to the State Bar website for updated volunteer opportunities or to contact the State Bar.

The American Bar Association, Legal Services Corporation, National Legal Aid & Defender Association and Pro Bono Net have also launched a Web site, www.disasterlegalservices.org, designed to recruit and mobilize pro bono lawyers in the aftermath of a disaster as well as provide victims with accurate legal information.

The American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world, with more than 400,000 members.

The Legal Services Corporation is a federally funded nonprofit organization that promotes equal access to justice and provides civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and families. It funds 137 programs with more than 920 offices around the nation.

Founded in 1911, the National Legal Aid & Defender Association bills itself as the oldest and largest national, nonprofit membership organization devoting all of its resources to advocating equal access to justice for people who cannot afford legal counsel.

Pro Bono Net is a national nonprofit founded in 1998 with support from the Open Society Institute to create an online resource for pro bono and legal services attorneys, and others working to assist low income or disadvantaged clients.

 

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