My apologies for the lag in blog entries, but I have been on the road again, this time at the International Practice Section meeting in Peru. More on that in blog entries to come…
This is an update on our efforts to bring our efforts to provide “justice to all” to the airwaves here in New York State through our public service announcements (NCSA) in coordination with the New York State Broadcasters Association. We chose the title “Justice for All” for this public education media campaign because as advocates for the people and the voice of the profession, access to justice for all, not just those who can afford it, is an Association priority. We should be proud of the important work attorneys across our state do everyday in serving the needs of our poor and most vulnerable citizens.
I recently taped four NCSAs outlining these priorities, including the concept of Civil Gideon ie. providing essential civil legal services to those in need; the importance of advance planning through Health Care Proxies; and the vital work undertaken by New York lawyers through pro bono and public service.
These NCSAs will begin airing – statewide – in mid October. We've been engaged in this public education partnership with the NYS Broadcasters Association program for a number of years and the feedback has been universally positive.
If you would like to listen to this year’s announcements, just click on the icons below. And do let me know what you think. We'll have an opportunity in the spring to record a second series of public information spots, so if there is a message you think we need to get out on the airwaves, I'm all ears.
Civil Gideon 60 seconds
Doing the Public Good 30 seconds
Health Care Proxy 30 seconds
Civil Gideon 30 seconds
Comments (3)
Why is the PSA entitled "Civil Gideon"? I listened to all of the public service announcement and thought that collectively they are a terrific idea!
Posted by Sue Grant Lewis | November 12, 2007 9:50 PM
Posted on November 12, 2007 21:50
Sue,
Thank you for your comment about the NCSA’s.
These announcements, in cooperation with the New York State Broadcasters Association, are a cost-effective outreach about a wide array of issues affecting the profession (such as Past President Vince Buzard's NCSA on lawyer advertising) as well as an opportunity to educate the public (such as Immediate Past President Mark Alcott's NCSA theme last year "That's What Lawyers Do").
This year the focus is on Civil Gideon, advance health care decision making and lawyers in NYS doing the public good. To respond to your specific inquiry about Civil Gideon, as the name suggests, that concept refers to the landmark Gideon v Wainwright case in 1963 which extended the right to counsel for anyone charged with a crime and is unable to afford a lawyer. While most people assume that if you are poor and confronting a fundamental loss, such as one's home from eviction or the loss of public benefits, you are also entitled to a lawyer. That is not the case.
Despite the thousands of hours of pro bono services provided to the poor by New York lawyers each year, as well as additional funding from Governor Spitzer for civil legal services to this poor this year, we can still only meet 20% of the need.
We need to raise awareness throughout the state, and the nation, about this 80% "justice gap" and that people with limited means – and no legal training – are being forced to represent themselves in domestic abuse matters, child custody or similar civil matters, with potentially life altering consequences.
Our Association has endorsed the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Civil Gideon Resolution, in support of a constitutionally protected right to counsel for those of limited means in civil matters where basic human needs are at stake. We need to continue press for this essential right and part of that effort includes a public outreach about the scope of the problem as well as the rationale.
Thanks again for responding.
Kate
Posted by Kate Madigan | November 15, 2007 12:20 PM
Posted on November 15, 2007 12:20
Dear Kathryn:
I saw a notice on the NYS Bar Assocaition website over the Christmas/New Year's Holiday noting that thre was a request for lawyers with over 25 yers experience to volunteer to teach pro bono, paying our own expenses, a semester in eastern Europe in 2009, particularly corporate and business law. I would like to pursue this but cannot find the information on the website anymore. I have caled the Association, and they are trying to find the notice buat have so far been unsuccessful. The headquarters for this group's training is in Salzburgh, Austria. Can you help? Richard Kelly
Posted by Richard Kelly | January 4, 2008 9:48 PM
Posted on January 4, 2008 21:48