Volunteer Lawyers Program

Along with Southern Arizona Legal Aid, the Pima County Bar Association is

proud to co-sponsor the Volunteer Lawyer Program. The Program began in 1981.

Clients are screened by SALA staff for financial eligibility and subject-matter

eligibility. Clients are served in the areas of family law, consumer law, housing,

government benefits, and probate. If eligible, a client is assigned to one of the

private lawyers who have volunteered to be on the VLP panel. The Program

serves not only clients in Pima County, but also eight neighboring rural counties

as well.

The Program provides extra-ordinary services to our community. Approximately

3,200 clients have been served thus far in 2004. Approximately 1,100 lawyers

serve on the volunteer panel in the nine counties.

The VLP annual budget is $365,000.00. PCBA contributes to that amount with

the voluntary contribution members can make when they pay their annual dues.

In recent years, we have also held picnics and a Past PCBA Presidents’

recognition dinner to raise funds for VLP. PCBA has also contributed $11,000.00

in each of the last two years to VLP’s Pima County Superior Court Child Support

Project, in which law students assist pro per parties prepare their child support

worksheets. The most important contribution we make, however, is the time our

members volunteer in helping needy people with their legal matters.

In 1999, VLP began the VLP Advocate Program in conjunction with the U of A

College of Law. In addition to the Child Support Project, students also assist

bankruptcy clients at reaffirmation hearings, and participate in domestic relations

clinics at VLP offices. This year, 110 students are involved. They will assist on

approximately 1,000 cases, nearly one-third of those VLP will handle.

The VLP recently held its annual recognition lunch on November 18, 2004. As

always, the lunch was elegant and entertaining. Arizona Supreme Court Justice

Rebecca White Berch delivered awards to many individuals, firms, and groups

who served VLP particularly well this year. Past PCBA President Alyce

Pennington received the 2004 Attorney of the Year Award. PCBA, along with

Pima County Superior Court and the Community Services Administration of DES

received the Streich Lang Award, an award given to groups that have helped VLP

financially. This award was presented in recognition of our contribution to the

Pima County Superior Court Child Support Project.

Tom Berning, Executive Director of SALA, Susan Kettlewell, President of SALA

Board of Directors, the VLP Advisory Board, the PCBA Board of Directors, and

PCBA members should all be congratulated and thanked for support of the VLP.

Particular recognition, however, should be given to Michele Mirto, Director of VLP

and her staff. They are thoroughly professional and do an excellent job.

Well done VLP!

As the year comes to an end, I reflect on the people who are important to me

and the things I care about. I therefore want to thank and recognize the staff of

PCBA, Executive Director Carolyne Bass, Deputy Director Jane Souders, and

receptionist Wendy James. They do an outstanding job of handling the day-to-

day work of the Association that affords the benefits and services to our

membership. Please stop by the PCBA office or send a holiday card to say

thanks for their dedication and service to our Association.