F E A T U R E A R T I C L E by Vivian Cortes-Hodz – Cortes Hodz Family Law & Mediation , P . A . and Joan Boles – Bay Area Legal Services
BayarealegalServicescelebrates 50YearsofService
in2022 , lSc ’ s132legalaidgrantees , throughmorethan900localoffices , assisted1.8millionclients . evenso , in2022 , lScestimatedthat 53.6millionamericanswereeligibleforlegalaidservices . thechallengesremain .
The HBCA and Bay Area Legal Services have a proud history of intentional leadership toward greater justice for those who need but cannot afford legal aid . The nation ’ s Legal Services Corporation ( LSC ), founded in 1974 , now celebrates the 50th anniversary of its central role .
Legal and legislative leaders , including those from the Tampa Bay area , helped to envision and institutionalize the rights of the poor to access high-quality legal assistance in civil matters — and to stand up when necessary to protect vital funding .
Legal aid has often run into budget jeopardy . Tampa Bay ’ s legendary Reece Smith ( longtime Carlton Fields managing partner ) — who served as president of the HCBA , The Florida Bar , the ABA , and the International Bar Association — in 1981 rallied bar presidents from across the country to save the nascent LSC from elimination by a new Congress .
Bay Area Legal has grown to provide services in 8 counties as one of the region ’ s largest law firms , with nearly 160 employees , responding to more than 105,000 requests for assistance in 2023 alone . 36 % of BALS ’ s 2023 budget of $ 14.7 million was supported through diverse LSC grants central to the work . Innovative LSC grants have broadened Bay Area ’ s capacity to serve lowincome clients : the “ No Place Like Home ” title clearance initiatives targeting low-income homeowners ; a full-time
Disaster Relief team ; the firm ’ s model “ FosterPower program to empower youth in and aging out of foster care to know and assert their legal rights ; and grants that enabled crucial website , intake systems , business process improvement , and technology upgrades .
12.5 % of each LSC Basic Field Grant must be used to engage volunteer legal services and a formal pro bono program was established in 1982 . HCBA has long been a vital part of this history : in 2022 , more than 5,500 hours were provided to Bay Area clients by volunteer attorneys , paralegals , translators , law students and faculty , and others .
In April , Bay Area Legal ’ s Board Chairperson Vivian Cortes-Hodz and CEO Joan Cain Boles were delighted
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to learn more about bay area Legal services , visit bals . org .
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