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Bar News - April 4, 2003 'If Not Us, Then Who?' Why All Law Firms Should Give Bar Foundation’s Campaign for Legal Services THE NEW HAMPSHIRE Bar Foundation’s Campaign for Legal Services represents the first time in New Hampshire that law firms statewide have been personally solicited to make a substantial contribution to support legal aid. The thinking is simple: If those who practice law – those who believe most passionately in equal justice – do not support legal aid for low-income NH residents, who will? If judges and lawyers, for whom justice is a calling, do not back the work of the state’s legal services providers, how can we expect those outside of the legal system to do so? The Campaign for Legal Services is a joint effort to raise funds to support the basic operating needs of New Hampshire’s primary legal services organizations – New Hampshire Legal Assistance, the Bar Association’s Pro Bono Referral Program, and the Legal Advice and Referral Center. The campaign replaces and broadens prior efforts to raise funds for legal aid through the private Bar. The goal of the campaign is to raise a minimum of $750,000 over three years and to date, the campaign has raised over $450,000 in pledges through 2005 from law firms and individual members of the Bar. Currently, private contributions make up only about 3 percent of the total bill of legal aid at NHLA, LARC and Pro Bono. The rest of their funding comes from IOLTA, federal and state grants, United Way and other public monies. In comparison, in Boston – which has a long-standing tradition of giving to legal aid – lawyers contribute about $2 million each year covering about 20 percent of the budget of Greater Boston Legal Services. South Middlesex Legal Services, which covers 36 towns south and west of Boston, raises $100,000 per year from about 250 lawyers, which covers about 10 percent of its legal aid budget. If lawyers, judges and firms in New Hampshire contribute $250,000 per year (our goal), that will cover 7 percent of the bill for legal aid in New Hampshire and increase annual donations by nearly $200,000. Year one of the Campaign for Legal Services, drawing to a close at the end of May, is focused on law firm and individual giving among practicing lawyers and judges. In years two and three, if the campaign has been successful in the legal community, the Bar Foundation will begin to make the case to the larger public about why access to justice for all people in New Hampshire is important to our communities, our economies and the health of our democracy. But the campaign will not be successful unless it can demonstrate sacrificial and substantial giving from New Hampshire law firms. It is critical for the NH legal community to support this effort. "We strongly believe in the obligation of every member of the legal community to help make sure that courthouse doors remain open to all of our citizens. We believe that such access is central to the choice that we have all made to become lawyers. If we who practice law do not support this Campaign for Legal Services, how can we ask others outside the system to do so?" asked campaign Co-Chairs Emily Rice and John Funk in a campaign update. "Everyone has a stake in a strong and accessible justice system, and it is our goal to move outside the legal community for support from corporations, foundations and members of the public in years two and three of the campaign. But we will not be successful in broadening our appeal unless we can demonstrate that members of the legal community who are closest to the legal problems of low-income and disadvantaged people want to be part of the solution." Now is the chance for your firm – whether you practice by yourself, in a small firm or with 10 or 40 other lawyers – to stand up and be counted with law firms from around the state as part of this historic effort. It is not solely the responsibility of larger firms to support the Campaign for Legal Services, but the responsibility of all NH law firms to contribute. It is crucial for your firm – regardless of its size – to demonstrate its commitment to equal justice. The accompanying testimonials are from attorneys from law firms of all sizes who have answered the call to support the Campaign for Legal Services and have generously given during year one of the campaign. Follow their example and pledge your support today. "Single practitioners, small and mid-size firms must play a significant role in showing that lawyers truly care that the poor are not excluded from our system of justice. These lawyers are on the front line of first impression and influence for the communities of our state." Paul L. Normandin "Supporting the Campaign for Legal Services gives us a chance to become something more than the sum total of our billable hours. Attorneys see more than anyone else what happens when there is unequal access to justice. We always talk about leveling the playing field in our courts, but we can’t just talk about it. We have to make it a reality." Stephanie A. Bray "The bottom line is that there are not enough resources to meet the legal needs of low-income individuals. Donating to the Campaign for Legal Services is a great way to further the dream of justice for all. It’s critical that lawyers lead the way in this fight." Margo M. Cooper, "As lawyers, our professional responsibility demands that we assist persons who cannot afford to help themselves. It is incumbent upon attorneys, as professionals, to lead this effort. Providing these needed services enriches our communities and our profession." James J. Tenn, Jr.
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