Posted 11:49 pm Sunday, January 06, 2013
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Bar foundation gets $15,000 for volunteer attorneys
Staff Reports
The Texas Bar Foundation recently awarded the Smith County Bar Foundation a $15,000 grant to initiate a volunteer attorney program, according to a news release.
The Texas Bar Foundation recently awarded the Smith County Bar Foundation a $15,000 grant to initiate a volunteer attorney program, according to a news release.
The Smith County Bar Foundation has hired Carol Pinckard as its volunteer attorney coordinator.
Mrs. Pinckard’s efforts have been successful, the release stated. Attorneys have volunteered their time to address needs of individuals who cannot afford civil legal services, but a coordinator is necessary to make sure the needs of individuals and families are defined and the cases are assigned to the appropriate attorney.
About 100 local attorneys have volunteered their time to provide civil legal services for a large number of families and individuals who do not have the ability to pay for them. Individuals with a need for civil legal services who do not have the ability to pay for an attorney are qualified through Lone Star Legal Aid.
Mike Coker, president of the Smith County Bar Foundation, said, “A milestone was recently achieved when all pending cases were placed with volunteer attorneys, but new cases arise on a daily basis.”
The Texas Bar Foundation funds projects throughout Texas that further legal services for the underserved. Since its inception, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $1.4 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation’s largest charitably funded bar foundation.
The Smith County Bar Foundation was formed in 2003 and funds similar projects on a local basis. Projects include the annual constitution day event, annual law day celebration and the scaled version of the Smith County Courthouse at the Discovery Science Place. There is no charge for the public to attend those events or view the courthouse at the Discovery Science Place.
Through the efforts of the volunteer attorneys more than $120,000 in legal services will be provided to the community.
For more information, contact the Smith County Bar Foundation at 903-526-2700 or cristy@smithcountybar.com.
Mike Coker, president of the Smith County Bar Foundation, said, “A milestone was recently achieved when all pending cases were placed with volunteer attorneys, but new cases arise on a daily basis.”
The Texas Bar Foundation funds projects throughout Texas that further legal services for the underserved. Since its inception, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $1.4 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation’s largest charitably funded bar foundation.
The Smith County Bar Foundation was formed in 2003 and funds similar projects on a local basis. Projects include the annual constitution day event, annual law day celebration and the scaled version of the Smith County Courthouse at the Discovery Science Place. There is no charge for the public to attend those events or view the courthouse at the Discovery Science Place.
Through the efforts of the volunteer attorneys more than $120,000 in legal services will be provided to the community.
For more information, contact the Smith County Bar Foundation at 903-526-2700 or cristy@smithcountybar.com.
