October 18, 2005
Availability of Legal Services Committee
Meeting Minutes for 10.18.05
Present: Eric Driskell, Jonathon Asher, Kate Arganese, Kathleen Schoen, Barbara Chamberlain, Deb Wagner, Gina Weitzenkorn, Kenneth Hubbard, and Daniel Taubman. By Phone: Raymond Micklewright.
I. Committee Projects for 2005-2006
A. Supporting pro bono coordinators.
B. CLE programs that focus on legal issues affecting low-income people.
C. Presentation of pro bono awards.
II. Supporting Pro Bono Coordinators
A. The Committee decided to send out a survey to pro bono coordinators via the pro bono coordinators list serve. Kate Arganese, Kathleen Schoen, and Deb Wagner will author the survey and send it out to coordinators through the pro bono list serv. The Committee will discuss the results at the next meeting.
B. There was discussion on whether or not there is a need for a handbook for pro bono coordinators.
1. Kathleen Schoen pointed out that the CBA sends out the ABA Pro Bono Manager Handbook: Nuts and Bolts Training manual to all the pro bono coordinators every year.
2. It was also pointed out that the Colorado Legal Services website is an excellent resource, and can describe the pro bono process to attorneys that visit it. The website is www.coloradolegalservices.org.
3. Gina Weitzenkorn, Jonathon Asher, and Ray Micklewright volunteered to author an “information sheet” explaining these resources for attorneys who decide to take a pro bono case. The pro bono coordinators will be asked in the survey if they would find it helpful to distribute this handout when they assign cases.
III. CLE Programs
A. Bankruptcy is one program the Committee would like to address. There was discussion of the feasibility of providing credit counseling to low-income persons. Gina will look into the possibility of these projects and discuss it with the Committee at the next meeting.
B. Another topic is ethical issues for dealing with challenging clients. This topic has been presented in the past by Deb Wagner, and she is willing to be the presenter for this topic in the future.
C. Consumer frauds and scams, with particular focus on fair dept collection, was another suggested topic.
D. Medicare Part D is another topic the Committee is considering.
E. It was suggested that some of the CLE programs being considered by the committee are appropriate for Tuesdays at the Bar. Kathleen will talk to Melissa Nicoletti when the committee decides what topics would be suitable.
F. It was also suggested that some of the Tuesdays at the Bar presentations and some of the programs of MDIC would be appropriate topics for programs on legal issues for low-income individuals. Kathleen will discuss with Melissa Nicoletti at the CBA whether it would be possible for these programs to be distributed to pro bono coordinators to show to their volunteer lawyers.
IV. Pro Bono Awards
The Committee will revisit this topic at their next meeting. Gina asked all members to review the criteria for each award.
V. Funding for Colorado Legal Services
A. COLTAF: Jon Asher reported that interest rates are up and, as a result, CLS should receive more funding from COLTAF.
B. The budget for Legal Service Corporation has not passed the US Congress. There have been debates in Congress ranging from increasing the LSC budget to eliminating LSC.
C. A proposal of particular interest to CLS that is currently in Congress is proposing to allow a 2% cut in discretionary funding, which would reduce CLS funding by $70,000. The Committee approved a motion to ask CBA President Roger Clark or CBA Executive Director Charles Turner to write a letter of opposition to the proposal to Colorado’s Congressional delegation. Dan Taubman abstained from this vote.
VI. Next Meeting
The Committee’s next meeting will be on Tuesday, December 13, 2005. The meeting will be held at the CBA offices (1900 Grant Street, Suite 900, Denver, CO 80203) and will begin at 12 p.m.
