June 2014
LAAC In Action
About LAAC

Salena Copeland

Executive Directo

If you have any questions regarding the LAAC Sections, our advocacy work with the state legislature, or the Campaign for Justice, please contact her at [email protected]

 

Patrick Fodell: 

Program Associate 

Please contact him at [email protected] if you have any questions about LAAC trainings.

 

Lorin Kline

Program Attorney

Please contact her at [email protected] if you have any questions regarding LAAC programs. 

 

Denise Watt:

Senior Program Coordinator

Please contact her at [email protected] 

if you have any questions about the Model Approaches grant or LAAC membership benefits.


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Member Spotlight


The Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Inc. recently partnered with LAAC in the development of a statewide pleading bank, open to attorneys at all of California's IOLTA legal services programs.

Legal Aid Society applied for, and received, a LSC "Technology Initiative Grant" to develop the site as a way for California attorneys to share resources and leverage expertise within the statewide community. The idea stemmed from discussions at LAAC's annual Director of Litigation and Advocacy (DoLA) meeting, a yearly gathering for litigation directors and support center staff.

The site includes pleadings in both State and Federal practice areas. Additional areas for administrative hearings and non-litigation documents have been developed as well.

To learn more about the Pleading Bank, click here
Amicus Updates

LAAC is excited to report our recent amicus efforts. In May LAAC was present at the California Supreme Court to hear oral argument in the case of McQueen v. Reed. LAAC joined with member organizations as amicus in this case involving a denial of attorneys fees in an elder abuse case.  
 
LAAC has also joined as amicus in a case supporting the eligibility of legal services organizations as appropriate cy pres recipients. LAAC will soon be joining as amicus on several other cases on issues such as the admissibility of immigration status and another case on the availability of attorneys fees. For more information about LAAC's amicus efforts, please here.
California State Capitol
Advocacy Update
It has been an exciting legislative session in the California legislature, with many bills passing through the Senate and Assembly that could impact our community. We would like to highlight a couple of bills:  
  • Assembly Bill 2746 (Wieckowski) will change the annual dues that attorneys in California pay, as well as the increasing the amount attorneys can opt to donate. LAAC supports the legislature's efforts to find additional funding for legal services in this time of shrinking budgets and increasing need in our state. 
  • Assembly Bill 1657 (Gomez) deals with court interpreters and would increase the courts' ability to provide interpreters in civil cases. LAAC supports any potential increase in funding to this important service. 

LAAC keeps an eye on bills in a variety of substantive areas that are relevant to our members. Be sure to check our website regularly for updates.

Join us for a happy hour to benefit you!

LAAC and the NorCal Pro Bono Managers are hosting a happy hour in Oakland to benefit the Campaign for Justice. A percentage of bar sales will go to the Justice Gap Fund, which supports all of your programs.
 
The happy hour will take place on Tuesday, July 1, from 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. at SomaR Bar (at 19th Street BART station).
 
Check out our Facebook invite for more information, and we hope to see you there!
 
Trainings


LAAC is pleased to announce a special collaboration with Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)!

July 9 from 12:30 until 2 p.m.
Presented by: Linda Kilb, DREDF
1.5 hours of CLE is available

LAAC is keeping track of all the summer brown bag lunch trainings for your law clerks. Many of these sessions are open to all legal services attorneys and advocates. Click here for more information on the trainings throughout the summer. 

Don't forget the 100+ hours of self-study CLE available on our website