News from New York State Bar Association

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State Bar Association Launches “Justice For All”

Statewide Attorney Group to Air Four Public Service Announcements

ALBANY, NY (10/12/2007; 1106)(readMedia)-- The New York State Bar Association begins airing its latest radio campaign titled “Justice for All” on Monday, October 15, on radio stations across New York State. It is the 5th consecutive year that the Bar Association has worked, in cooperation with the New York State Broadcasters Association, to produce ads that, among other things, highlight the importance of extending to indigent New Yorkers the right to counsel in civil matters when basic human needs are at stake. This public education outreach also notes the vital role lawyers play in providing free legal services to those in need. Last year’s campaign, “That’s What Lawyers Do” received thousands of airings on New York radio stations.

“These consumer education campaigns provide vital information about the role of lawyers in serving the public interest, whether providing free legal services for victims of disaster, encouraging every New Yorker to plan ahead by signing a health care proxy, or the importance of providing stable funding to ensure that our poor and most vulnerable citizens have a guaranteed right to counsel in defense of essential civil rights,” Bar Association President Kathryn Grant Madigan said.

The public service ads consist of three 30 second spots and one 60 second spot. The messages focus on the concepts of Civil Gideon -- providing free civil legal services to the poor facing significant consequences, such as domestic abuse, eviction or access to health care -- as well as the importance of preplanning by executing a Health Care Proxies form (available on the NYSBA website at www.nysba.org, and highlighting the vital work undertaken by New York lawyers through pro bono and public service. The Bar Association has long championed the importance of access to justice for all New Yorkers, not just those who can afford it..

“We chose the title ‘Justice for All’ because it reaffirms our long standing commitment to serving the legal needs for all our citizens and our role as the voice for the legal profession in New York. Guaranteeing access to the justice system for everyone, not just for those who can afford it, has been and will continue to be an Association priority,” Madigan said. “Moreover, we are especially proud of the thousands of hours of pro bono services provided each year by lawyers across our state to those in need. We have an important message to share with the general public and are grateful to the New York State Broadcasters Association for partnering with us in this vital consumer education outreach.”

The radio spots will run throughout October and through November 14th, 2007. It is anticipated that the ads will air several thousand times throughout the month-long campaign.

The 72,000-member New York State Bar Association is the official statewide organization of lawyers in New York and the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. Founded in 1876, NYSBA programs and activities have continuously served the public and improved the justice system for more than 130 years.

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Note to editors: Attached are audio copies of the radio spots that will be airing across New York State.

Scripts narrated by President Kate Madigan are as follows: Civil Gideon 30 seconds

This is Kate Madigan, President of the New York State Bar Association. If you are accused of a crime, you have the right to a court appointed lawyer. But in civil legal matters, there is no such right. If you’re in danger of losing your home, trying to gain custody of a child, struggling to escape domestic abuse – there is no guaranteed right to counsel. Lawyers perform countless hours of free services, but can only serve a fraction of those in need. When basic human needs are at stake, our government should guarantee everyone the right to counsel.

Brought to you by the New York State Bar Association in cooperation with the New York State Broadcasters Association.

Civil Gideon – 60 Seconds

This is Kate Madigan, President of the New York State Bar Association. If you are accused of a crime, you have the right to a court appointed lawyer if you cannot afford one. But if you are in danger of being evicted from your home, face the loss of health care or public benefits, there is no guaranteed right to counsel. It can mean the difference between losing a home or keeping it, suffering from domestic abuse or finding refuge, gaining or losing custody of a child. Despite the thousands of hours of free legal services provided by New York Lawyers each year, we can only meet 20% of the civil legal needs of the poor. We can and must do better. The promise of equal justice for all must extend to every citizen. When basic human needs are at stake, everyone deserves the right to counsel.

Brought to you by the New York State Bar Association in cooperation with the New York State Broadcasters Association.

Health Care Proxy and Power of Attorney

This is Kate Madigan, President of the New York State Bar Association. While we can’t reverse the aging process, we can prepare for old age. A Health Care Proxy lets you choose someone you trust to make medical decisions if you cannot. A Power of Attorney lets others help with your financial matters. Give yourself -- and your loved ones -- the peace of mind that comes from planning ahead. See your lawyer for a Power of Attorney. Health care directives are free on our website at www.nysba.org and click on public resources.

Brought to you by the New York State Bar Association in cooperation with the New York State Broadcasters Association.

Doing the Public Good

This is Kate Madigan, President of the New York State Bar Association. Lawyers in New York have a proud tradition of providing free legal services to our poor and most vulnerable citizens. When massive flooding affected 13 upstate counties last year hundreds of lawyers across the state volunteered to help the flood victims. This is just one of many examples of lawyers in New York donating their time to help those in need. We are proud to be New York lawyers doing the public good.

Brought to you by the New York State Bar Association in cooperation with the New York State Broadcasters Association.

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Attachments

Civil Gideon 60 secods
Spot1.mp3

NY Lawyers, doing the public good
Spot2.mp3

Health Care Proxies
Spot3.mp3