News from New York State Bar Association

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New York State Bar Association Urges Governor And Legislature To Make Access To Justice A Budget Priority

ALBANY, NY (03/20/2008; 1559)(readMedia)-- In a letter sent yesterday to Governor David A. Paterson, and in letters to every member of the State Legislature, the New York State Bar Association urged adequate funding for civil legal services to be restored as part of the on-going budget negotiations. The Association also strongly advocated for keeping the appointment of the Executive Director in the hands of the Board of Directors of the Interest on Lawyer Account fund (IOLA), preserving or increasing the current percentage of funds allocated to civil legal services, and creating an Independent Indigent Defense Commission.

New York State Bar Association President Kathryn Grant Madigan (Levene Gouldin & Thompson LLP) said, “Ensuring that people of limited means have adequate legal representation is of vital importance to the 76,000 members of our Association and the people of New York State. These issues -- funding civil legal services, the appointment of the IOLA Executive Director, distribution of IOLA funds, and creation of an Independent Indigent Defense Commission--are essential to the administration of our system of justice. “

The Association’s letter to the Governor is attached.

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Attachments

Letter to Governor Paterson from NYSBA President Kathryn Grant Madigan
NYSBA_Letter.pdf