|
CJP News & Announcements
Added July 15, 2010
2nd CJP Veterans Clinic, Aug. 20
The CJP is proud to hold its second Veterans Clinic from 2-5 p.m. on Friday, August 20, 2010 at the Audie L. Murphy Veterans Hospital. The first clinic in May was so well received, that several dozen veterans had to be put on a waiting list for our next available clinic. The SABA Pro Bono Committee — especially Justice Phylis Speedlin and Allan DuBois — have worked diligently to get the clinics incorporated into the regular CJP schedule. In addition to the August 20 clinic, another Veterans Clinic is slated for November 19. These “advice only” ask-a-lawyer clinics provide information in all areas of law to indigent veterans. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Amanda Reimherr Buckert at amandab@sabar.org.
Added July 15, 2010
1st CJP Veterans Clinic a Success!
The Community Justice Program held its first Veterans Clinic on May 21st at the Audie L. Murphy Veterans Hospital. The clinic received an overwhelming response of both volunteer attorneys and clients, which were all veterans with some pressing need. Those needs spanned all areas of law. Attorneys provided advice and guidance on everything from family and child support issues to wills and tax problems – one attorney even helped to save a veteran’s home from being taken! The San Antonio Bar Association’s Pro Bono Committee decided to continue the clinics on a quarterly basis. The next two clinics will be held on Aug. 20 and Nov. 19. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Amanda Reimherr Buckert at amandab@sabar.org or 210.227.8822, x24.
Added June 1, 2010
Congratulations Elena!
Community Justice Program Assistant Elena P. Serna has been a huge asset to the program in recent months; and we would like to congratulate her on passing the Texas Bar Exam! Elena graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law and is already licensed in her home state of New Mexico. She was sworn in by CJP Co-chair Justice Sandee Bryan Marion and took her first case as a licensed Texas attorney at the May 11 CJP clinic. We appreciate all that she has done and wish her the best in her new endeavors and career as a lawyer!
Added May 20, 2010
Community Justice Program Celebrity Golf Tournament
The inaugural Community Justice Program Celebrity Golf Tournament, presented by BKD, LLP, was held April 29 at The Golf Club of Texas at Briggs Ranch and was a swinging success! We want to congratulate all of our team and contest winners and extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to all of the sponsors that helped to make the tournament such a special event. We would like to especially thank the staff at the course for all of their help and hard work, in particular Head Golf Professional Chris Perkins and Southern Golf Properties President Bryan Gathright. Bryan, who is rated by Golf Magazine as one of the top 100 golf instructors in the country, was instrumental in making this a memorable day. We would also like to thank the entire staff of the San Antonio Bar Association – especially Jimmy Allison – and our celebrities former San Antonio Spur Paul Griffin and former Major League Baseball players Gary Bell and Joe Horlen. Thank you to everyone who participated; we are already planning next year’s tournament and hope to see you there!
Added May 12, 2010
2nd Annual Ask-A-Lawyer Nonprofit Legal Clinic
The Association of Corporate Counsel, Texas C-BAR and the Community Justice Program are holding their second annual Ask-A-Lawyer Nonprofit Legal Clinic from 6-8 p.m. on May 13, 2010 at the St. Mary’s Center for Legal & Social Justice. We need your help in identifying nonprofits who would like to participate in this free advice clinic, or which you think would benefit from this opportunity. We are looking for nonprofits that need pro bono legal assistance with transactional issues, contracts, leases, copyrights/trademarks, employment law, real estate and construction matters. The clinic will not address questions related to litigation, obtaining 501(c)(3) status or specific non-profit tax counsel. Please forward the name of any nonprofit that you know of or are involved with that may be in need of this type of assistance to Amanda Reimherr Buckert via email at amandab@sabar.org. Nonprofits can also sign up by contacting Amber Clark at accasouthcentral@yahoo.com and requesting an intake form to fill out and return to us. The deadline for sign-up has been extended to May 7, 2010. For additional information, please contact Sakina Hassonjee at 210.385.3255.
Added May 12, 2010
Volunteer attorneys needed for 1st Veterans Legal Clinic
Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans (TLTV) is a new State Bar of Texas Committee established by State Bar President-Elect Terry Tottenham to develop and assist pro bono legal clinics throughout the state for military veterans and their families who otherwise cannot afford or do not have access to legal services they need and deserve.
On Friday, May 21, 2010 the San Antonio Bar Association’s Community Justice Program will hold its first Veterans Legal Clinic at the Audie L. Murphy Hospital (7400 Merton Minter). The ask-a-lawyer clinic will be held from 2-5 p.m.
Volunteer attorneys are needed from all areas of practice to assist with this clinic. Attorneys will only be offering advice to pre-screened clients on a variety of legal issues. Please contact CJP Coordinator Amanda Reimherr Buckert at 210.227.8822 x24 or via email at amandab@sabar.org if you would like to volunteer.
If you know of a veteran looking for advice on a legal matter, they should call Patty Villarreal at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid at 210.212.3740 to register for the clinic.
Added May 3, 2010
Maria “Lulu” Villanueva honored by SBOT
Lulu Villanueva has been selected as the first recipient of the State Bar of Texas 2010 Pro Bono Coordinator Award, for her outstanding work with the Community Justice Program in San Antonio.
The Pro Bono Coordinator Award is given to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the delivery of, and access to legal services for the poor, while serving as the pro bono coordinator for a volunteer attorney organization or group, local bar association, law firm, law school, corporate legal office, governmental law department or legal services organization.
The Community Justice Program has placed almost 4,000 cases with attorneys in San Antonio since its inception in 2002. Congratulations, Lulu!
Added May 3, 2010
2nd Annual Ask-A-Lawyer Nonprofit Legal Clinic
The Association of Corporate Counsel, Texas C-BAR and the Community Justice Program are holding their second annual Ask-A-Lawyer Nonprofit Legal Clinic from 6-8 p.m. on May 13, 2010 at the St. Mary’s Center for Legal & Social Justice. We need your help in identifying nonprofits who would like to participate in this free advice clinic, or which you think would benefit from this opportunity. We are looking for nonprofits that need pro bono legal assistance with transactional issues, contracts, leases, copyrights/trademarks, employment law, real estate and construction matters. The clinic will not address questions related to litigation, obtaining 501(c)(3) status or specific non-profit tax counsel. Please forward the name of any nonprofit that you know of or are involved with that may be in need of this type of assistance to Amanda Reimherr Buckert via email at amandab@sabar.org. Nonprofits can also sign up by contacting Amber Clark at accasouthcentral@yahoo.com and requesting an intake form to fill out and return to us. The deadline for sign-up has been extended to May 7, 2010. For additional information, please contact Sakina Hassonjee at 210.385.3255.
Added May 3, 2010
Volunteer attorneys needed for 1st Veterans Legal Clinic
Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans (TLTV) is a new State Bar of Texas Committee established by State Bar President-Elect Terry Tottenham to develop and assist pro bono legal clinics throughout the state for military veterans and their families who otherwise cannot afford or do not have access to legal services they need and deserve.
On Friday, May 21, 2010 the San Antonio Bar Association’s Community Justice Program will hold its first Veterans Legal Clinic at the Audie L. Murphy Hospital (7400 Merton Minter). The ask-a-lawyer clinic will be held from 2-5 p.m.
Volunteer attorneys are needed from all areas of practice to assist with this clinic. Attorneys will only be offering advice to pre-screened clients on a variety of legal issues. Please contact CJP Coordinator Amanda Reimherr Buckert at 210.227.8822 x24 or via email at amandab@sabar.org if you would like to volunteer.
If you know of a veteran looking for advice on a legal matter, they should call Patty Villarreal at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid at 210.212.3740 to register for the clinic.
Added April 1, 2010
2nd Annual Ask-A-Lawyer Nonprofit Legal Clinic
The Association of Corporate Counsel, Texas C-BAR and the Community Justice Program are holding their second annual Ask-A-Lawyer Nonprofit Legal Clinic from 6-8 p.m. on May 13, 2010 at the St. Mary’s Center for Legal & Social Justice. We need your help in identifying nonprofits that would like to participate in this free advice clinic, or which you think would benefit from this opportunity. We are looking for nonprofits that need pro bono legal assistance with transactional issues, contracts, leases, copyrights/trademarks, employment law, real estate and construction matters. The clinic will not address questions related to litigation, obtaining 501(c)(3) status or specific non-profit tax counsel. Please forward the name of any nonprofit you know of or are involved with that may be in need of this type of assistance to Amanda Reimherr Buckert via email at amandab@sabar.org. Nonprofits can also sign up by contacting Amber Clark at accasouthcentral@yahoo.com and requesting an intake form. Deadline for sign-up is April 9, 2010. For additional information, please contact Sakina Hassonjee at 210.385.3255.
Added March 5, 2010
The SABA Pro Bono Committee introduces their latest service project
By Kevin Robinowich
Clinical Fellow, St. Mary’s University School of Law
One of the most frequent legal issues confronting the homeless community of Bexar County is the need to clear up warrants which are usually based upon Class C misdemeanors and other charges. These offenses, including public intoxication, panhandling, disorderly conduct, and camping are a result of the perils and frustration that members of the street population deal with on a daily basis. Most of these individuals do not attend their scheduled hearing because they lack the capacity to remember their hearing date, their citation with the hearing date was stolen along with everything else they own, or they are simply afraid of the consequences of incurring a punishment with no means to pay a fine and the possibility of incarceration.
Perhaps the greatest consequence of these standing warrants is that they place homeless individuals in a cycle preventing them from rising out of homelessness. The warrants prevent the homeless from obtaining a Texas I.D. or Driver’s License, which thus prevents them from obtaining employment as well as any public benefits they may otherwise be able to utilize.
The goal of the Haven for Hope Criminal Defense Project is to break the link in the cycle of homelessness by helping the homeless community of Bexar County to handle the warrants which prevent them from gaining employment or public benefits. Further, by helping to clear these warrants, this Clinic will lessen the burden on local law enforcement agencies and the Magistrate Court.
With the help of the San Antonio Bar Association Community Justice Program, the City of San Antonio Municipal Court, Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association, and the St. Mary’s University Center for Legal and Social Justice, the Haven for Hope Criminal Defense Project will be held on a monthly basis at Haven for Hope. At each monthly clinic, volunteers will work together to handle each homeless client’s outstanding City of San Antonio Municipal Court Warrants on an individual basis. Helping these homeless individuals clear their warrants will help clear the way to obtain identification, gain employment, and rise out of their current homeless situation.
Added March 5, 2010
Thank you AT&T!
The Community Justice Program would like to sincerely thank the legal department of AT&T for its generous contribution, as well as for its efforts in developing our new partnership. The diligent work and amazing dedication of AT&T attorneys Paul Drummond and Jaime Mata have led to their company establishing a yearly commitment to furthering the pro bono work of the CJP by funding the AT&T Excellence in Pro Bono Legal Service Scholarship.
Additionally, AT&T has provided a very charitable one-time contribution to the CJP for the purchase of a couple new laptop computers, which will replace the aging machines used at the CJP clinics.
The scholarship will be provided to two St. Mary’s University School of Law students each year — one each semester. The student will intern five hours each week for the CJP and support the staff with assistance in case management and administrative functions.
The first recipient, Kimbel Ward, has already been selected and started at the CJP. Kimbel is an extremely qualified student and will continue to assist the CJP for the duration of the Spring semester. Congratulations, Kimbel!
Again, everyone involved with the CJP would like to extend our immense gratitude to AT&T for its dedication to pro bono efforts in our community and for selecting the CJP as the recipient of these funds. We thank AT&T for its support and we look forward to a long and rewarding partnership through the AT&T Excellence in Pro Bono Legal Service Scholarship program.
Added February 24, 2010
CJP Celebrity Golf Tournament, Apr. 29!
SAVE THE DATE!
The Community Justice Program is proud to announce its inaugural CJP Celebrity Golf Tournament! So dust off your clubs and round up your foursomes for the April 29 tournament at The Golf Club of Texas at Briggs Ranch.
- Prime rib lunch
- Golf clinic with Bryan Gaithright, one of the top 100 golf instructors in the U.S., from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.
- Make-your-own breakfast taco bar
- 9 a.m. shotgun start
- Gatorade and bottled water in each cart
- Free tees and free range balls
- Roving Keg
- Prizes including rounds of golf at some of the area’s best courses
Additional details will be in the April Subpoena, but for registration and more information contact Amanda Reimherr Buckert or Jimmy Allison at 210.227.8822 or via email at amandab@sabar.org and jimmya@sabar.org.
Added February 24, 2010
SABA Pro Bono Committee introduces their latest service project, the Haven for Hope Criminal Defense Project
By Kevin Robinowich
Clinical Fellow,
St. Mary’s University School of Law
One of the most frequent legal issues confronting the homeless community of Bexar County is the need to clear up warrants which are usually based upon Class C misdemeanors and other charges. These offenses, including public intoxication, panhandling, disorderly conduct, and camping are a result of the perils and frustration that members of the street population deal with on a daily basis. Most of these individuals do not attend their scheduled hearing because they lack the capacity to remember their hearing date, their citation with the hearing date was stolen along with everything else they own, or they are simply afraid of the consequences of incurring a punishment with no means to pay a fine and the possibility of incarceration.
Perhaps the greatest consequence of these standing warrants is that they place homeless individuals in a cycle preventing them from rising out of homelessness. The warrants prevent the homeless from obtaining a Texas I.D. or Driver’s License, which thus prevents them from obtaining employment as well as any public benefits they may otherwise be able to utilize.
The goal of the Haven for Hope Criminal Defense Project is to break the link in the cycle of homelessness by helping the homeless community of Bexar County to handle the warrants which prevent them from gaining employment or public benefits. Further, by helping to clear these warrants, this Clinic will lessen the burden on local law enforcement agencies and the Magistrate Court.
With the help of the San Antonio Bar Association Community Justice Program, the City of San Antonio Municipal Court, Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association, and the St. Mary’s University Center for Legal and Social Justice, the Haven for Hope Criminal Defense Project will be held on a monthly basis at Haven for Hope. At each monthly clinic, volunteers will work together to handle each homeless client’s outstanding City of San Antonio Municipal Court Warrants on an individual basis. Helping these homeless individuals clear their warrants will help clear the way to obtain identification, gain employment, and rise out of their current homeless situation.
Added February 24, 2010
Thank you AT&T!
The Community Justice Program would like to sincerely thank the legal department of AT&T for its generous contribution, as well as for its efforts in developing our new partnership. The diligent work and amazing dedication of AT&T attorneys Paul Drummond and Jaime Mata have led to their company establishing a yearly commitment to furthering the pro bono work of the CJP by funding the AT&T Excellence in Pro Bono Legal Service Scholarship.
Additionally, AT&T has provided a very charitable one-time contribution to the CJP for the purchase of a couple new laptop computers, which will replace the aging machines used at the CJP clinics.
The scholarship will be provided to two St. Mary’s University School of Law students each year — one each semester. The student will intern five hours each week for the CJP and support the staff with assistance in case management and administrative functions.
The first recipient, Kimbel Ward, has already been selected and started at the CJP. Kimbel is an extremely qualified student and will continue to assist the CJP for the duration of the Spring semester. Congratulations, Kimbel!
Again, everyone involved with the CJP would like to extend our immense gratitude to AT&T for its dedication to pro bono efforts in our community and for selecting the CJP as the recipient of these funds. We thank AT&T for its support and we look forward to a long and rewarding partnership through the AT&T Excellence in Pro Bono Legal Service Scholarship program.
Added February 15, 2010
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
As co-chair of the CJP, I am happy to announce that Justice Sandee Bryan Marion will be my new fellow co-chair. Judge Michael Peden has decided to retire not just from the bench, but also the CJP and will focus on being a grandfather to his new grandson. The CJP thanks Judge Peden for all the great work he has done with the CJP during the past year. We are very excited to have Justice Marion on board as she has been devoted to the CJP since its inception. We welcome her and look forward to a great year for our program!
- Judge Larry Noll, CJP Co-chair
Added February 15, 2010
The CJP would like to thank the following individuals:
Volunteer attorney Terri Abernathy for being the first attorney to take a “CJP on Wheels” case. Terri took three pro bono cases for indigent, homebound clients. She will provide wills and advanced planning documents for two clients and represent another in a bankruptcy matter. Terri will meet and work with her clients at their homes. We want to sincerely thank her for taking the time to represent homebound individuals and provide the legal service they so desperately need, but who are unable to leave their home for meetings.
St. Mary’s law students Heather Pierce and Monetta Elaine Burgess for volunteering a day to assist the CJP office. Heather and Elaine were a huge help. Thank you!
|
