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What’s NewThe Alabama Law Foundation Announces 2007 IOLTA Grants (01/04/2007)
The Alabama Law Foundation is committed to increasing access to quality legal assistance for Alabama citizens who cannot afford an attorney. As Alabama’s major grant maker to programs that provide legal aid to the poor, the Alabama Law Foundation annually awards IOLTA grants for three purposes: to provide legal services to disadvantaged citizens, to improve the administration of justice, and to support law related education for the public.
IOLTA (Interest On Lawyer’s Trust Accounts) is the financial foundation for the Alabama Law Foundation. The IOLTA program allows attorneys to convert their commingled client trust accounts to interest-bearing accounts. This interest then is disbursed to the Alabama Law Foundation, and a grants committee distributes the funds to law-related charities across Alabama. The IOLTA grants for 2007 total $364,690.
Programs that provide legal services for the poor collectively received IOLTA grants totaling $190,000. Legal Services Alabama provides legal aid to economically disadvantaged citizens through ten offices with staff attorneys. An $80,000 grant was awarded for general operating purposes. The Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program refers cases directly to lawyers in 64 counties and coordinates over 1,000 volunteers. The Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program received a $25,000 IOLTA grant. The Mobile Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Program refers cases to 612 attorneys who provide free legal service to low income clients in Mobile. A $25,000 grant was awarded for operating expenses. The Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program refers cases to 641attorneys in the Birmingham area. The Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program received a $60,000 IOLTA grant for operating expenses.
Projects in the category of “Administration of Justice” received IOLTA grants totaling $164,000. The Equal Justice Initiative of Alabama assists attorneys appointed to capital cases in the post-conviction stage and supplies some representation to indigent defendants. The Equal Justice Initiative of Alabama received a $50,000 IOLTA grant for general operating funds. The Alabama Prison Project helps attorneys research background information of defendants about to be sentenced in capital cases in order to provide critical information to the jury and the judge. The $25,000 IOLTA grant provides the salary for the one full-time mitigation staff employee. The Alabama Appleseed Center for Law & Justice identifies and seeks to find solutions to the root causes of injustice and inequality in Alabama. Their $20,000 IOLTA grant is designated for operating expenses. Aid to Inmate Mothers provides services that help strength the bond between female inmates in Alabama prisons and their children. The $10,000 IOLTA grant partially funds a study of current programs for women and girls at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system. Lauderdale County Family Court received a $25,000 IOLTA grant to supplement a parenting program that seeks to resolve conflicts regarding visitation and other issues before they escalate and require court involvement. The Office of the District Attorney, 19th Circuit received a $2,190 IOLTA grant for a trial management software package. The Alabama CASA Network supports CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) by training volunteers to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children in court. The $15,000 IOLTA grant helps hire a second employee. The CASA of Florence/Lauderdale County received a $7,500 IOLTA grant to fund a staff position to coordinate volunteers. The Cumberland Community Mediation Center trains volunteer to work as community mediators to help people settle disputes and avoid going to court. The IOLTA grant of $10,000 is for general program support.
The Alabama Center for Law & Civic Education received an IOLTA grant for $10,000 to help pay for their “Play by the Rules” program that educates high school students about the law, their responsibilities and problem-solving skills.
An additional grant came this year from the Katrina Disaster Fund. Most of the money collected after Hurricane Katrina was given to the Red Cross and the Salvation Army to meet immediate needs. However, realizing that Katrina’s victims would require legal services in the aftermath of the damage, the Alabama Law Foundation kept $25,000 to grant for future need. This year, the Alabama Appleseed Center for Law & Justice received a $15,000 grant to help low-income hurricane victims get clear title to their homes so they can get assistance money to rebuild.
Alabama’s IOLTA program was established in 1987 and awarded its first grants in 1989. Since that time the Alabama Law Foundation has awarded 12.8 million in grants. Through the IOLTA program, the Alabama Law Foundation builds a stronger, more democratic society by making access to justice for all citizens in Alabama a reality.
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