July 3, 2009
Chief Justice Benjamin Awards $100,000 in IOLTA Funds
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
From a WV Supreme Court Press Release
Charleston, WV (HNN) -- Supreme Court Chief Justice Brent Benjamin awarded $100,000 in IOLTA (Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts) funds during a 10 a.m. press conference in the Supreme Court Chamber today, Thursday, July 2, 2009.
The IOLTA program is a cooperative effort of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, the West Virginia Bar Foundation, the West Virginia Bankers Association, and the West Virginia State Bar. The program, initiated in 1990 by the Bar Foundation, has generated more than $13 million in its nineteen years of operation.
The IOLTA program allows attorneys to place short-term client trust funds in interest-bearing NOW accounts. Eighty percent of the interest earned on the accounts is distributed to the state's legal services programs, which provide free civil legal services to low-income citizens. Additionally, as approved by the Supreme Court, fifteen percent of the funds are distributed to special projects, including the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program in West Virginia. The funds also pay for legal interns from the West Virginia University College of Law to work in Legal Services offices, a special Elder Law Project, and provide legal services for abused and neglected children.
“The people who are befitting from this are our friends, our acquaintances,” Benjamin said. “They are people trying to make their money last until the end of the month.
"The Court commends the lawyers and financial institutions that have participated in this effort. Many men, women, and children who would otherwise go unserved have been assisted with their civil legal cases," said Benjamin.
He gave a special thanks to attorneys who do pro bono work. “Each and every day you give of your experience and expertise to help your fellow citizens. You are thanked too infrequently. I want you to know the judges of the state appreciate you.”
Benjamin said the IOLTA program is one example of the way the legal system can expand access to justice. The Supreme Court in December announced that it would work with the West Virginia State Bar, Legal Aid of West Virginia, and West Virginia’s voluntary bar associations and groups on a formal Access to Justice program. The program will seek to identify areas of the West Virginia judicial system which can be improved for the benefit of West Virginia citizens and for the members of the Bar.
The Access to Justice Program is one of Benjamin’s main areas of focus during his year as Chief Justice in 2009. He plans to appoint a nine-member commission that will identify barriers to justice that exist for people who want to use the civil court system and plan ways to eliminate those barriers so citizens have easier access to the courts.
Charleston attorney John Tinney, President of the West Virginia Bar Foundation, said that without the interest and support of the Supreme Court, the IOLTA program never would have been founded nineteen years ago.
"One of the Bar Foundation's most important responsibilities is to administer the IOLTA program.
The major goal for the IOLTA program is to provide free civil legal services for our low-income citizens, and I commend the banks of West Virginia for their involvement in this fine program," he said.
Clarksburg attorney Gary W. Nickerson, vice-president of the West Virginia State Bar, said that many members of the Bar become attorneys so they can help other people make positive changes in their own lives. “IOLTA has been a wonderful vehicle for doing good for our citizens,” he said.
Representing the West Virginia Bankers Association, the group’s Chief Executive Officer, Joe Ellison, said, “We are very proud of the overwhelming support that has been shown and the money that it has resulted in. It is a tribute to our law offices and to our financial institutions that have embraced this program so effectively.”
Most of the eighty-four banks in West Virginia are members of the association, Ellison said.
The following grants were awarded: Legal Aid of West Virginia, $63,750; and Mountain State Justice, $21,250.Jim Martin, Legal Director of Legal Aid of West Virginia, said the grant will help the organization handle up to eight hundred cases.
The following special grants were awarded: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), $6,525; Senior Legal Aid Program, $3,619; West Virginia Fund for Law in the Public Interest, $2,895; Appalachian Center for Law, $1,158; and ChildLaw Services, $803.
CASA Executive Director Michele Bush said her organization, which provides advocates for abused and neglected children who are involved in court cases, will split the money. About 25 percent will remain in the central office and the rest will be distributed throughout local offices throughout the year as needed.
For more information about the IOLTA program, contact Tom Tinder, Executive Director of the West Virginia Bar Foundation, (304) 343-9823, tom@wvbarfoundation.org.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
Chief Justice Benjamin Awards $100,000 in IOLTA Funds
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
From a WV Supreme Court Press Release
Charleston, WV (HNN) -- Supreme Court Chief Justice Brent Benjamin awarded $100,000 in IOLTA (Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts) funds during a 10 a.m. press conference in the Supreme Court Chamber today, Thursday, July 2, 2009.
The IOLTA program is a cooperative effort of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, the West Virginia Bar Foundation, the West Virginia Bankers Association, and the West Virginia State Bar. The program, initiated in 1990 by the Bar Foundation, has generated more than $13 million in its nineteen years of operation.
The IOLTA program allows attorneys to place short-term client trust funds in interest-bearing NOW accounts. Eighty percent of the interest earned on the accounts is distributed to the state's legal services programs, which provide free civil legal services to low-income citizens. Additionally, as approved by the Supreme Court, fifteen percent of the funds are distributed to special projects, including the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program in West Virginia. The funds also pay for legal interns from the West Virginia University College of Law to work in Legal Services offices, a special Elder Law Project, and provide legal services for abused and neglected children.
“The people who are befitting from this are our friends, our acquaintances,” Benjamin said. “They are people trying to make their money last until the end of the month.
"The Court commends the lawyers and financial institutions that have participated in this effort. Many men, women, and children who would otherwise go unserved have been assisted with their civil legal cases," said Benjamin.
He gave a special thanks to attorneys who do pro bono work. “Each and every day you give of your experience and expertise to help your fellow citizens. You are thanked too infrequently. I want you to know the judges of the state appreciate you.”
Benjamin said the IOLTA program is one example of the way the legal system can expand access to justice. The Supreme Court in December announced that it would work with the West Virginia State Bar, Legal Aid of West Virginia, and West Virginia’s voluntary bar associations and groups on a formal Access to Justice program. The program will seek to identify areas of the West Virginia judicial system which can be improved for the benefit of West Virginia citizens and for the members of the Bar.
The Access to Justice Program is one of Benjamin’s main areas of focus during his year as Chief Justice in 2009. He plans to appoint a nine-member commission that will identify barriers to justice that exist for people who want to use the civil court system and plan ways to eliminate those barriers so citizens have easier access to the courts.
Charleston attorney John Tinney, President of the West Virginia Bar Foundation, said that without the interest and support of the Supreme Court, the IOLTA program never would have been founded nineteen years ago.
"One of the Bar Foundation's most important responsibilities is to administer the IOLTA program.
The major goal for the IOLTA program is to provide free civil legal services for our low-income citizens, and I commend the banks of West Virginia for their involvement in this fine program," he said.
Clarksburg attorney Gary W. Nickerson, vice-president of the West Virginia State Bar, said that many members of the Bar become attorneys so they can help other people make positive changes in their own lives. “IOLTA has been a wonderful vehicle for doing good for our citizens,” he said.
Representing the West Virginia Bankers Association, the group’s Chief Executive Officer, Joe Ellison, said, “We are very proud of the overwhelming support that has been shown and the money that it has resulted in. It is a tribute to our law offices and to our financial institutions that have embraced this program so effectively.”
Most of the eighty-four banks in West Virginia are members of the association, Ellison said.
The following grants were awarded: Legal Aid of West Virginia, $63,750; and Mountain State Justice, $21,250.Jim Martin, Legal Director of Legal Aid of West Virginia, said the grant will help the organization handle up to eight hundred cases.
The following special grants were awarded: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), $6,525; Senior Legal Aid Program, $3,619; West Virginia Fund for Law in the Public Interest, $2,895; Appalachian Center for Law, $1,158; and ChildLaw Services, $803.
CASA Executive Director Michele Bush said her organization, which provides advocates for abused and neglected children who are involved in court cases, will split the money. About 25 percent will remain in the central office and the rest will be distributed throughout local offices throughout the year as needed.
For more information about the IOLTA program, contact Tom Tinder, Executive Director of the West Virginia Bar Foundation, (304) 343-9823, tom@wvbarfoundation.org.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
