Foreclosure Prevention Unit | Lili SoteloInterview by: Matt Brady | Photograph by: Eric Gonz�lez
In response to the continuing foreclosure crisis, the Washington State Legislature passed the Foreclosure Fairness Act in 2011. The Act allows homeowners to request mediation with their bank to explore options for avoiding foreclosure. Northwest Justice Project, in collaboration with the Attorney General's Office, Housing Finance Commission and the Office of Civil Legal Aid, started the Foreclosure Prevention Unit (FPU) to help qualifying homeowners with this process.
We interviewed Lili Sotelo, Northwest Justice Project's Foreclosure Prevention Unit senior attorney, who has been a consumer and housing advocate since she began practicing law in 1995. Sotelo has devoted most of her career, first through the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, to helping low income people keep their homes.
Click on the photo (above) to read the full interview.
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27th Annual Goldmark Award LuncheonHonoring Justice Gerry L. Alexander
 The Goldmark Award was created in 1987 to recognize exceptional efforts in assuring equal access to justice; this year, the award recognizes Justice Gerry L. Alexander's commitment to secure justice that is applied equally to the weak and powerful alike.
Each year the Board of Trustees of the Legal Foundation of Washington recognizes the outstanding work of an attorney or organization that has performed on behalf of poor people. The Charles A. Goldmark Distinguished Service Award is named in honor of Charles A. Goldmark, a prominent Seattle attorney who played a singularly important role in the creation of the interest on the lawyer's trust account (IOLTA) program. Mr. Goldmark was president of the Legal Foundation of Washington at the time of his tragic death in January 1986.
The luncheon will be held Friday, February 24, 2012 at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel between 12:00pm and 1:30pm.
Click here for more information on Justice Alexander's achievements and how to register for this event! |
Catching-up with Catherine Brown and Angie Maddox of the WSBA Public Service Programs By Allison Durazzi
 Catherine Brown and Angie Maddox of the WSBA Public Service Programs each look at their work through a different lens, but together, they're reframing how Washington's attorneys approach service. The WSBA supports the pro bono service of its members through programs like the Emeritus/Pro Bono rule-a limited license to practice for attorneys doing pro bono work through a qualified legal service provider. Another rule provides continuing legal education credits (CLE) for pro bono service through a qualified provider. As the WSBA strengthens its commitment to enhancing the culture of service among its members, the organization created its Public Service Programs to further develop and expand its offerings. Click here to continue reading. |
Our New Economic Reality: The Legal Profession's Role | ATJ Annual ConferenceJune 8-10, 2012 in Yakima, Washington
Since 1996, the Access to Justice Board and the Washington State Bar Association have convened joint conferences - the Access to Justice Conference and the Washington State Bar Association's Bar Leaders Conference. These conferences serve to provide skills and tackle the difficult issues faced by all who are engaged in and support civil equal justice and justice for our state's poorest and most disadvantaged communities; and, for those who seek to improve the practice of law and the administration of justice.
We've all witnessed the shift of the economic climate across the United States these past few years. Washington State has not been immune to these changes and has entered what may effectively be termed a new economic reality. The impact of this economic reality on the legal system means that traditional legal services are no longer able to operate with a business-as-usual strategy.
The 2012 conference theme is: "Our New Economic Reality: The Legal Profession's Role."
Proposals for workshops are accepted now through January 13, 2012. Download a proposal form with complete details.
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