austinbar.org APRIL 2016 | VOLUME 25, NUMBER 3
Remembering a Promise: Texas Access to Justice Campaign ...With liberty and JUSTICE FOR ALL.
C
an you still recite the Pledge of Allegiance? It’s hard to forget those words, repeated so many times during our youth. But if you’re reading this, then you understand the depth of their meaning. “Justice for all” is a beautiful and uniquely American ideal, but when millions of Texans can’t afford access to justice, it’s also a reminder that we’ve got a lot of work to do. The Austin Bar Association has done its part in that struggle for more than a hundred years. You may have even donated time or money to improve the lives of your fellow Central Texans. Your support of the great work done by local legal aid organizations is vital to their success. We also urge you to contribute to the Justice for All Campaign, a statewide campaign created by the Texas Access to Justice Commission. Campaign funds go to organizations in your community and around the state that work tirelessly to ensure the voices of our most vulnerable
Texans are heard—like Mateo’s. At six years old, Mateo was separated from his parents and kidnapped by coyotes, human smugglers, who enslaved him for nine years. He was repeatedly beaten, tattooed as their property,
“Justice for all” is a beautiful and uniquely American ideal, but when millions of Texans can’t afford access to justice, it’s also a reminder that we’ve got a lot of work to do.
and slept wherever he could find a quiet place. When they started to train him to be a trafficker, he escaped their deadly grasp. Legal aid obtained a trafficking visa for him, and he was reunited with his family members in Mexico, who had never stopped searching for him. Your help—your donation—keeps the offices of these legal services open for business and preserves independence, hope, and dignity. Last year, with only eight percent of licensed Texas attorneys contributing, $1.16 million was raised. Imagine how many more people like Mateo could be helped if EVERY lawyer gave the suggested $150 contribution. If every lawyer gave $150, over $15 million would be raised! Honor the pledge by making the suggested $150 Access to Justice contribution online at texasatj. org, or on your annual State Bar dues statement. In addition, join our Champion of
Justice Society, created to recognize those individuals who wish to show their strong support of access to justice with gifts of $250 or more. Austin lawyers in the 2015 Champion of Justice Society are Justice Jeffrey Brown, John Fleming, Peggy Montgomery, Edith Schatelowitz Alcantar, and Carlos Zaffirini, Jr. Here are ways you can help: • make your Access to Justice contribution TODAY; • participate in the Firm Competition, April 11-22; • wear jeans on Justice for All Jeans Day, April 15; and • join the Champion of Justice Society to show your strong support of access to justice. For more information about the Justice for All Campaign or the Champion of Justice Society, visit texasatj.org or contact Catherine Galloway, development and communications manager, at 512.427.1892 or AUSTINLAWYER catherine.galloway@texasbar.com. AL AL