The Chicago Bar Foundation
In addition to direct contributions of time and money, lawyers also use their networks and influence in the community to advance access to justice. Laurel G. Bellows, a principal in Bellows and Bellows, PC, is one lawyer who has put her experience and influence to work in order to advance access to justice. As a leading voice within a strong coalition of lawyers, bar associations and legal aid advocates, including the CBA and CBF, Laurel for years has advocated for adequate funding for the federal Legal Services Corporation (LSC) and related access to justice initiatives. As a result of these efforts, Congress has meaningfully increased funding for LSC over the past two years, making it possible for tens of thousands more Americans in need to get vital legal assistance. For 2010, Congress increased funding for LSC by $30 million, which translated to a much-needed funding increase of more than $500,000 for the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago (LAF), which is already being put to critical use.
“As lawyers and trustees of the justice system, we need to be at the forefront of the efforts to ensure that government at all levels is meeting its responsibility to provide adequate funding for legal aid and related access to justice initiatives.”
– Laurel Bellows
Laurel is a longstanding leader in the legal community on both the local and national levels. A Past President of the CBA and a member of the CBF Lincoln Circle of Justice, Laurel is unopposed for nomination to become President of the American Bar Association and currently serves as Chair of ABA Day in Washington. Throughout her legal career, Laurel has frequently leveraged her influence within the legal community to meet with legislators and their staff on the importance of issues around improving access to justice. As the Chair of ABA Day, Laurel has helped organize a great opportunity for lawyers from across the nation to come together to do just that, including a strong delegation of lawyers affiliated with the CBA and CBF.
Last year’s increase in LSC funding is already making a significant impact in Chicago. The increased funding for LAF, the only LSC-funded organization serving Cook County, helps to sustain LAF’s many important programs at a time when the organization is experiencing significant funding cuts from the State and other key sources of support. As a result, LAF is able to continue serving thousands of people in need when there is growing demand for these services.
One example that underscores the important work that LAF’s lawyers perform each day is the story of Danielle, who was a victim of domestic abuse. When her husband went to jail for his repeated assaults on her, she thought the worst was over. But then she received a letter informing her that her home was in foreclosure because of non-payment of a mortgage she did not even know about. It turned out that her husband had obtained the mortgage, and pocketed the proceeds, without her knowledge or consent. Danielle and her family were about to lose their home. LAF filed a bankruptcy on Danielle’s behalf and helped her develop a repayment plan that ultimately was approved by the court. Since then, Danielle has been able to keep up with the regular monthly mortgage payments and keep her home.
In this challenging economic climate, robust advocacy efforts to increase government funding for legal aid and access to justice initiatives are more important than ever. “As lawyers and trustees of the justice system, we need to be at the forefront of the efforts to ensure that government at all levels is meeting its responsibility to provide adequate funding for legal aid and related access to justice initiatives,” Laurel said. As she has exemplified, taking a leadership role on policy issues affecting the justice system and the legal profession is an integral part of fulfilling our responsibility as lawyers.
Source: The Chicago Bar Foundation
