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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 14, 2009 Contact: Judith Berrett Washington State Bar Association to Host Civil Legal Aid Crisis Summit at Seattle University School of Law(SEATTLE) — The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) announces it will host a Civil Legal Aid Crisis Summit on Friday, April 17, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Seattle University School of Law. The event, which will bring together leaders of the bar, members of the state judiciary, and those in the access to justice community, will address the current structure and state of Washington’s legal aid services delivery system. It is open to the public, and those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to WSBAevents@wsba.org or 206-239-2132. According to WSBA President Mark Johnson: “The collapse of our economy has resulted in our statewide legal service providers and county-based pro bono clinics being overwhelmed by people with legal problems. As a result of substantially increased need and significantly diminishing revenues, the ability of our civil legal aid system to deliver services has been decimated at the worst possible time. In response, the WSBA is exploring all possible ways for the legal community to lead during this critical time.” The Summit will begin with a welcome from Seattle University School of Law Dean Kellye Testy, after which Mark Johnson will introduce King County Superior Court Judge Steven González and Seattle University law professor and former U.S. Attorney John McKay, who are serving as honorary co-chairs of these efforts. Judge González is the chair-elect of the Washington State Access to Justice Board, and Professor McKay is the former director of the federal Legal Services Corporation. Washington State Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry Alexander will discuss the current status of the Justice in Jeopardy Initiative. The Justice in Jeopardy Initiative began in 2004 as the most extensive and cohesive effort ever undertaken to improve the fair and equal administration of justice in Washington state. The Initiative is focused on increasing funding for trial court operations, civil legal aid, indigent criminal defense, and parents’ representation in dependency cases. WSBA Executive Director Paula Littlewood will speak about a project currently being developed by the WSBA that will assist homeowners facing foreclosure. Director of the Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid Jim Bamberger and President of the Legal Foundation of Washington Board of Trustees Nick Gellert will discuss the current status of civil legal aid funding. WSBA President Mark Johnson will then lead a discussion of possible solutions. About the Washington State Bar Association The WSBA is part of the judicial branch, exercising a governmental function authorized by the Washington State Supreme Court to license the state’s 32,700 lawyers. The WSBA both regulates lawyers under the authority of the Court and serves its members as a professional association — all without public funding. As a regulatory agency, the WSBA administers the bar admission process, including the bar exam; provides record-keeping and licensing functions; and administers the lawyer-discipline system. As a professional association, the WSBA provides continuing legal education for attorneys, in addition to numerous other educational and member-service activities. # # # |