by Christina Jackson, NALP Director of Public Service Initiatives & Fellowships

Happy Friday!  I can’t believe it’s already August.  It’s almost time to go back to school.  But before that happens, let’s take a little vacation (even if it’s only a mental vacation) with some good news and some good tunes.

Spotlight on Outstanding Public Servants: If you know someone we should honor, drop me a line.

Here are the week’s headlines:

• DC lawyers providing more pro bono work;
• Gift to Oregon Law’s Environmental Center doubles number of fellowships;
• Former MD Governor Ehrlich & Catholic University form legal clinic;
• 50 new public defender positions created in Colorado;
• Bills proposed to shed light on government payouts under EAJA;
• Montgomery County, AL to get a public defenders office;
• Georgia State University Law to provide pro bono bankruptcy assistance;
• Spotlight on Public Service Servants: Smokey Bear and all the millions of firefighters who protect and prevent;
• Super Music Bonus!

The summaries:

August 1, 2013 – A survey by the DC Bar Foundation finds that reported pro bono hours are up in DC .  “The survey results, which included details on how firms managed pro bono programs and how pro bono hours compared with total billable hours, showed more attorneys were not only reporting pro bono work, but were doing more of it.”  Great job DC lawyers –  keep up the good work!  (The Blog of LegalTimes)

August 1, 2013 – The family of Nike pioneer Bill Bowerman gave $1 million to the school’s Environmental and Natural Resources Law Center.  The award will double the number of fellowships for the program.   The gift will also provide a number of other benefits to students and recent graduates.  (sustainable business oregon)

August 2, 2013 – Based on a recent US Supreme Court decision requiring a public defender to be present when those who can’t afford an attorney meet with prosecutors to discuss plea offers, Colorado public defenders expect an increase of cases by 28,000.  “To handle the work load, Colorado legislators increased the number public defenders statewide to handle to added work.”  The bill was recently signed into law.  “The positions won’t be announced until at least Jan.1, 2014 when the funding for the new positions is available.”  (KREX News Channel 5)

August 5, 2013 – “Former Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich has teamed up with the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law to open a clinic this semester on clemency matters for people with criminal convictions, and the initiative will include a workshop for newly elected governors and their staff.”  “The CUA Law/Ehrlich Partnership on Clemency will be part of the law school’s Innocence Project Clinic. Students will receive clinical experience by preparing pardon applications.”  (boston.com)

August 5, 2013 – “Three bills introduced last week on Capitol Hill intended to curb misuse of federal dollars would reinstate tracking and reporting requirements of payments made through the Judgment Fund and Equal Access to Justice Act.”  The bills stem from accusations of abuse of the fund by anti-agricultural groups, but these bills could have some serious unintended consequences for other non-profits.  “he Judgment Fund is used to pay certain court judgments and settlements against the federal government if those costs are not otherwise covered by appropriated agency budgets.  EAJA was intended to provide individuals, small businesses and small nonprofit groups with financial assistance to sue the federal government or defend themselves from a lawsuit brought by the federal government.”  Each of the three bills intend to make the payments more transparent, but one would also require “‘direct and personal’ relationship to the case to qualify for reimbursement. ”  (Capitol Press)

August 5, 2013 – The State of Alabama has committed $2.2 million to fund a public defenders office in Montgomery County.  The appropriation brings the two-plus-year project closer to fruition.  “The next step is to hire a full-time director who will be responsible for establishing the office and hiring staff, Montgomery County Presiding Circuit Judge Charles Price said.”  The Director and Assistant Director will likely start in October or November.  (Montgomery Advertiser)

August 6, 2013 – Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia will launch the Bankruptcy Assistance and Practice Program this fall.  The program is aimed at offering pro bono bankruptcy assistance to underserved communities in Atlanta.  “Third-year students will enroll in a bankruptcy litigation, negotiation and practice course to bolster skills in bankruptcy law and will work under the supervision of mentor-attorneys to offer free assistance for academic credit.”  The program is funded by “the a competitive Teaching Innovation Grant from the College of Law and sponsorships from local law firms, the State Bar of Georgia, the Atlanta Bar Association and other organizations, university officials said.”  (North Jersey.com)

Spotlight on Outstanding Public Servants:  On this date in 1944, the first Smokey Bear poster debuted and the rest (at least for those of us older than about 25) is history.  Many of us grew up knowing “Only YOU can prevent forest fires.”  And whether you believe climate change is real or a hoax, there is strong evidence that the number of forest fires are increasing in frequency and intensity.  Even the plain old house fire can put a fire fighter in very real danger. So, if you know a firefighter or just see one in the street, please say thanks!!  (Wikipedia) (National Interagency Fire Center)

Super Music Bonus! From the mind of Christina – I was feeling like I really needed a good beach tune this week.  I hope you agree.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8rd53WuojE.

And for those of you lucky enough to be on vacation – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u2G6OyZyCI.