Volume XIV, Issue I
January/February 2000

"And Justice For All"

by Lisa Castilleja

The WYLD continues to support efforts to ensure access to justice for all individuals. The soaring costs of litigation and other legal fees continue to create barriers for many and often force individuals to give up their right to equal access to the courts. WYLD recognizes the commitment and dedication of the legal service advocates to provide legal services to low-income communities. WYLD encourages all WSBA members to support the efforts of the Equal Justice Coalition and join in the challenge of preserving justice for all.

Resolution of Support
to Support Federal & State Funding for Civil Legal Services and to Join the Equal Justice Coalition

Whereas, the vitality of our democracy depends on all people having equal access to the system of justice, and for thousands of low-income people in Washington State, this access is made available through the work of legal services attorneys; and

Whereas, for many low-income people, the availability of free civil legal services means the difference between housing and homelessness, physical safety and domestic violence, income and destitution, and dignity and discrimination; and

Whereas, for nearly 30 years, our Nation has demonstrated its commitment to equal justice for low-income people by providing federal funding and support for legal services programs; and

Whereas, legal service lawyers empower low income people to know, enforce, and protect their rights under federal and state laws; and

Whereas, for more than 25 years, legal services attorneys have provided high quality client representation on a range of civil legal issues affecting low income residents in Washington state; and

Whereas, the Legal Services Corporation is the organization that receives federal appropriations earmarked for civil legal services funding, and which provides that funding to local programs such as the Northwest Justice Project; and

Whereas, the 1992 Legislature increased Superior Court filing fees to raise money for civil legal services for low-income people, and that since 1992 the Legislature has appropriated funds generated by this increase for civil legal services; and

Whereas, a non-partisan Equal Justice Coalition, composed of lawyers, judges, bar associations, and other organizations committed to the promise of equal justice under the law is working to ensure continued federal and state funding for legal services for low income people; and

Whereas, the Washington State Bar Association has declared that the extent to which poor people fail to receive legitimately needed legal assistance, despite unprecedented levels of volunteer effort, has reached critical proportions.

Now Therefore, Be It Resolved That the Washington Young Lawyers Division hereby affirms the importance of increased federal and state funding for civil legal services for the poor, and authorizes the use of its name in support of the Equal Justice Coalition’s efforts to expand access to justice for low income people; and

Be It Further Resolved That the board hereby urges members of the Congressional delegation to support adequate funding for the Legal Services Corporation; and

Be It Further Resolved That the board hereby urges members of the state Legislature to continue to dedicate money to fund civil legal services for low-income people and to look for new ways to provide additional financial support for legal services.

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