An important function of the Committee on Access to Justice is to promote the delivery of pro bono services by members of the Environmental and Land Use Law Section (ELULS) to low-income people faced with environmental and land use problems. The Committee provides this service by collecting the names of lawyers willing to provide pro bono service, linking with local bar associations sharing the same objective, publicizing the function on the section’s website, and referring potential low-income clients to the lawyers.

     During this quarter, the Committee has helped increase access to the legal system for low-income people by securing a lawyer, Geoff Smith, to represent an elected official who is a member of the working poor. Mr. Smith has provided similar pro bono services in the past and is to be commended for his efforts. Also, Terry Zinn is providing general guidance on technical issues associated with remediation of contaminated sites to Legal Services lawyers. Additionally, George Grambling and Joe Richards are identifying and analyzing models for linking low-income people with pro bono lawyers. Once a model has been identified, it will be included on the section’s website.

     Altogether, these measures and activities by members of the ELULS section will facilitate the achievement of access to justice for all people, regardless of income.