PLAN Blog

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SAM MILKES

Sam Milkes, Executive DirectorThis new BLOG accompanies the release of our newly designed website which we hope you will all find more convenient and user friendly. For example, the site integrates password protected access, so that access to multiple locations is possible with a single password. The purpose of this BLOG is to convey information from the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network about activities of interest to the staff, clients, and board members of legal aid programs, as well as the general public. For now, the BLOG is a posting of information. However, those who want to respond can do so. Some of these comments will be posted, with consent. Over time, we expect the BLOG to be opened up to the direct posting of public comments.

My future BLOGS will cover many subjects, including the work of legal aid programs, and issues affecting poor people. Given the budget situation I am devoting this first one to the state budget.
 

Featured Post

Sam Milkes

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has announced a student loan forgiveness program for attorneys employed by agencies that help people who cannot afford legal representation.

Beginning Sept. 1, the Loan Repayment Assistance Program - or LRAP - will receive applications for reimbursements for student loans to attorneys working for at least one year with a qualified agency that provides legal assistance in civil matters to indigent Pennsylvanians.

No taxpayer funding will be used to finance LRAP, which will use proceeds from the fees out-of-state lawyers must pay to practice in Pennsylvania courts. The so-called pro hac vice fees will fund a three-year grant to administer the program by the Interest On Lawyers' Trust Account board with the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation, a charitable affiliate of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

A recently graduated attorney, who is employed by a legal aid organization funded by IOLTA, is eligible to have $2,000 in student loan debt forgiven. An attorney can apply for up to 10, one-year forgivable loans over the tenure of qualified employment provided the eligibility requirements are met, including a law license and income and loan criteria. Each loan carries a one-year employment requirement for the loan.

Attracting and keeping quality lawyers is an increasingly daunting task for public services organizations as school costs continue to rise. This program will help address critical shortages facing many organizations in finding qualified legal assistance across the Commonwealth.

The Legal Intelligencer featured a story on the program entitled Loan Program Aims to Woo New Lawyers to Public Service in its June 30, 2010 edition. That article can be viewed by clicking here.

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Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Attached are two articles which I want to share that appear in the May/June issue of The Pennsylvania Lawyer, the magazine of the Pennsylvania Bar...

12:14pm
Sam Milkes

Monday, January 11, 2010

Friday, January 8, 2010

I was invited on January 7 to testify before a committee of the New York Senate which is looking at improving the delivery of legal services and is hunting for ways to fill the IOLTA...

4:18pm
Sam Milkes

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Following is a State of Legal Aid Report, describing the significant activity undertaken by the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network in the past fiscal year.

...
5:24pm
Sam Milkes

Friday, October 9, 2009

101 days into the fiscal year, a final budget has been adopted and is on its way to the Governor for his expected signature. Despite a number of scares along the way, and lots of ups...

Access to Justice, Legal Services Funding
11:25am
Sam Milkes

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

UPDATE: The House just concurred in Senate amendments to the filing fee bill by a vote of 136 – 60. All we need now is the Governor’s signature for the fee bill to be...

Access to Justice, Legal Services Funding
10:58am
Sam Milkes

Monday, October 5, 2009

With negotiations between the House and Senate having fallen apart for now, the Senate is moving forward with the enactment of a series of budget and revenue related bills, in their...

Access to Justice, Legal Services Funding
9:35pm
Sam Milkes

Thursday, October 1, 2009

I wish I could announce some final state budget deal, and reveal here how legal services is being treated in that deal.  But all of us watching the news know that the...

Access to Justice, Legal Services Funding
4:07pm
Sam Milkes

Monday, September 21, 2009

Many are wondering what the effect of Friday's budget deal is on legal services.  On Friday, September 18, the Governor and three of the four legislative caucuses announced that...

Legal Services Funding
10:31am
Sam Milkes

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

In a year when we are witnessing a $10 million cut in IOLTA funds, compared to just two years ago, there is reason to be highly nervous about the ability of legal aid programs to...

Access to Justice, Legal Services Funding
3:10pm
Sam Milkes