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News Release
Texas Access to Justice Foundation
AUSTIN, Texas–– The
Hispanic Issues Section of the State Bar of Texas
raised $40,000 in donations for Texas legal aid organizations during a
first-of-its-kind “Law-teria” virtual game night. The statewide game night
took place on Wednesday, Sept. 16, with proceeds raised supporting the
Texas Access to Justice Foundation
and legal aid
organizations in Texas that are serving those impacted by the COVID-19
pandemic.
“The Hispanic Issues Section of the State Bar
of Texas is extremely pleased to have raised $40,000 to support civil legal
aid in Texas,” Judge Victor Villarreal,
Webb County Court-at-Law II and Chair of the Hispanic Issues Section of the
State Bar of Texas, said. “Our fellow Texans are in need of essential legal
aid services now more than ever, and we are so grateful to everyone who
donated to this fundraiser that also allowed us to share a fun event from
the Hispanic culture.”
The event featured guest appearances by
Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman, Texas Supreme
Court Justice Brett Busby and
Senator Judith Zaffirini. Participants also
received
door prizes and intermission entertainment.
State Bar of Texas President-Elect Sylvia Borunda Firth of El Paso served as
host of “Law-teria”. She was joined by special guest callers:
Retired Judge Elsa Alcala, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals; Chief Justice
Dori Contreras, 13th Court of Appeals;
Justice Leticia Hinojosa, 13th
Court of Appeals; and Justice Rebeca Martinez, Fourth Court of Appeals.
“We’re truly thankful to the Hispanic Issues
Section for hosting an incredible event benefitting Texans in need of
essential civil legal aid,” Deborah Hankinson,
chair of the board
of directors for the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, said. “The
donations received are fundamental in helping our fellow Texans who have
been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.” The Texas Access to Justice Foundation was created by the Supreme Court of Texas in 1984 to provide funding for the civil legal needs of poor and low-income Texans. The Foundation grants millions of dollars each year to approximately 40 organizations offering free civil legal assistance to qualified Texans. With TAJF grants, legal aid organizations advise more than 150,000 low-income Texans annually on such civil matters as protection from domestic violence, assistance with housing, and other critical legal issues.
The Texas Access to Justice Foundation (www.tajf.org), created by the Supreme Court of Texas in 1984, is the primary
state-based funding source for the provision of civil legal aid in Texas.
The organization is committed to the vision that all Texans will have equal
access to justice, regardless of their income. The Foundation administers a
variety of funding sources, which are earmarked to assist nonprofit
organizations in providing legal aid to approximately 150,000 Texas families
each year.
Kimberly Schmitt
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