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for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy . However , she was a great candidate for a new partner ABAP had begun working with -- a nonprofit law firm called HELPS . HELPS serves individuals who are “ judgment proof ,” living on social security or retirement benefits , and need help with creditor harassment or consumer protection . ABAP facilitated a referral to HELPS , and D obtained assistance in stopping the phone calls about debts she had no way of repaying .
Michael L . Cook Grant Award . The Foundation established the Michael L . Cook Extraordinary Grant for a program that is “ such an innovative and exemplary approach to a previously under-served area of need as to justify an extraordinary grant in excess of the grant limits customarily applied by the Foundation .” The budget for the Cook Grant is $ 20,000 .
This year , based on the recommendation of its Working Group consisting of Chief Judge Laurel Myerson Isicoff and James Baillie , the Committee selected a new grantee , Community Legal Access in Little Rock , Arkansas . Founded in 2019 by dedicated individuals , CLA was created to bring the “ Modest Means Attorney Panel ” to Arkansas . This approach is designed to allow each client to gain access to the justice system which they might not be able to do otherwise . CLA was formed to serve individuals that are unable to get free legal services through programs that have income restrictions imposed by the Legal Services Corporation or because of conflicts or because those programs have practice area limitations . CLA would serve clients with income between 150 % and 250 % of the federal poverty guidelines . CLA recruits attorneys who are willing to drastically reduce their fees . In this way
CLA would reach clients who in fact would be unable to retain a lawyer . Delivery of legal services at a substantially reduced fee to persons of limited means constitutes pro bono under Rule 6.1of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct . Through this grant the CLA would make a significant effort to serve people who need assistance in the areas of bankruptcy or debtor-creditor law .
2023 DEI Grants . This year the Committee , primarily through its DEI Working Group , took on an expanded role of processing and evaluating and making recommendations on the first ever set of DEI grant applications to the Foundation and the DEI Committee . The DEI Working Group works closely with the College ’ s DEI Committee in reviewing and approving those grants . In 2023 , the Committee proposed , and the Foundation and DEI Committee awarded , $ 66,675 in grants to 6 grantees in 5 states . Please see Jan Hayden ’ s article as Chair of the Foundation Board , for more detail .
Conclusion . This is my second year having the privilege of serving as the Committee Chair , and I thank you for the opportunity . It has been a pleasure serving with the over 45 members of the Committee , the College and Foundation Boards and leadership , the DEI Committee , and Jenny Cudahy and Shari Bedker – all of whom spend significant time in this effort . And a special thank you to all of the Fellows who generously donate their money and time to this very worthwhile project . You have all made it possible for many to serve the most vulnerable populations across the country . I urge you to not only continue to donate and make these grants possible , but to also encourage organizations that fit our pro bono and DEI guidelines to submit applications for 2024 grants by June 1 .
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