Virginia Law Foundation

PROMOTING THROUGH PHILANTHROPY THE RULE OF LAW, ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND LAW RELATED EDUCATION.

THE VIRGINIA LAW FOUNDATION MADE GRANTS IN SUPPORT OF PROJECTS THAT (1) PROVIDE SERVICES TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE; (2) PROVIDE LAW-RELATED EDUCATION; (3) PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING OF THE RULE OF LAW IN VIRGINIA; (4) PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO THE UNDERSERVED; AND (5) PROVIDE PUBLIC SERVICE INTERNSHIPS FOR VIRGINIA LAW STUDENTS.SEE DESCRIPTIONS ON SCHEDULE O:APPALACHIAN SCHOOL OF LAW MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP $15,000THE APPALACHIAN SCHOOL OF LAW (ASL) HAS FORMED A MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP (MLP) WITH BALLAD HEALTH, A HEALTHCARE SYSTEM SERVING SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA. THE MAIN GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR MEDICAL PATIENTS WITH UNMET LEGAL NEEDS AND TO STRATEGICALLY ADDRESS HEALTHCARE NEEDS ATTRIBUTABLE TO OR EXACERBATED BY UNMET LEGAL NEEDS. UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF LICENSED ATTORNEYS, ASL STUDENTS WILL PROVIDE FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO BALLAD'S LOW-INCOME PATIENTS, GIVING THE STUDENTS AN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY. VIRGINIA TECH'S PAMPLIN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS WILL CONTRIBUTE BUSINESS ANALYTICS TO MEASURE THE PROGRAM'S SUCCESS.BLUE RIDGE LEGAL SERVICES FREE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME SENIORS $25,000EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE IS ONE OF THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL AND COMPELLING NEEDS OF THE OLDER IMPOVERISHED, PARTICULARLY IN MATTERS THAT AFFECT THEIR SHELTER, MEDICAL CARE, AUTONOMY, AND BASIC SUBSISTENCE. LOW-INCOME SENIORS OFTEN FACE LARGE MEDICAL BILLS, AND MANY FEAR DESTITUTION OR THE LOSS OF THEIR HOMES DUE TO DEBTS. BLUE RIDGE LEGAL SERVICES (BRLS) IS A NONPROFIT CHARITABLE LEGAL AID PROGRAM PROVIDING FREE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS OF THE SHENANDOAH AND ROANOKE VALLEYS. AS THE ONLY LICENSED PROVIDER OF FREE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS IN THE REGION, WITHOUT BRLS'S ASSISTANCE, MEMBERS OF THIS ENDANGERED POPULATION WITH A CIVIL LEGAL ISSUE WOULD BE EFFECTIVELY LOCKED OUT OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS ARE OFTEN PLAGUED WITH THE GROWING THREAT OF ELDER ABUSE. THE NUMBER OF REPORTED CASES IS STAGGERING, YET ELDER JUSTICE ADVOCATES MAINTAIN THAT FOR EVERY REPORTED CASE OF ELDER ABUSE, FIVE CASES GO UNREPORTED. THIS GRANT WILL ENABLE BRLS TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO 170 LOW-INCOME SENIORS THROUGHOUT THE GRANT YEAR. THIS PROJECT TARGETS SENIORS WITH CRITICAL LEGAL NEEDS, FOCUSING ON ELDER ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION CASES.CANCERLINC ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR LATINO AND SPANISH-SPEAKING CANCER PATIENTS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHSIDE VIRGINIA $12,000CANCERLINC PROVIDES ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR LOW-INCOME CANCER PATIENTS WHO OTHERWISE WOULD NOT HAVE ATTORNEYS, FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS, AND OTHERS TO HELP THEM ADDRESS THE NON-MEDICAL PROBLEMS THEY FACE AS A RESULT OF THEIR CANCER DIAGNOSIS MEDICAL DEBT, EVICTION, BANKRUPTCY, EMPLOYMENT INSECURITY, AND SIMILAR CHALLENGES. CANCER IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG HISPANICS AND LATINOS, BUT CANCERLINC CURRENTLY ONLY HAS ENGLISH LANGUAGE RESOURCES. THIS VIRGINIA LAW FOUNDATION GRANT WILL ENABLE CANCERLINC TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THESE SERVICES FOR UNDERSERVED LATINO CANCER PATIENTS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHSIDE VIRGINIA BY OFFERING BILINGUAL SERVICES AND LAUNCHING A TARGETED COMMUNITY OUTREACH EFFORT, INCREASING ACCESS TO PRO-BONO LEGAL AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES THESE PATIENTS COULD NOT AFFORD OTHERWISE.CAPITAL AREA IMMIGRANTS' RIGHTS COALITION VIRGINIA JUSTICE PROJECT $40,000THE CAPITAL AREA IMMIGRANTS' RIGHTS COALITION (CAIR) STRIVES TO ENSURE EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL IMMIGRANT ADULTS AND CHILDREN AT RISK OF DETENTION AND DEPORTATION IN THE CAPITAL REGION AND BEYOND THROUGH DIRECT LEGAL REPRESENTATION, KNOW-YOUR-RIGHTS PRESENTATIONS, IMPACT LITIGATION, ADVOCACY, AND THE ENLISTMENT AND TRAINING OF INTERN ATTORNEYS. THE VIRGINIA JUSTICE PROJECT IS AT THE FOREFRONT NATIONALLY OF THE PROVISION OF PADILLA CONSULTATION WORK AND CRIMINAL-IMMIGRATION LITIGATION, SERVING AS A REPLICABLE MODEL FOR LITIGATION INVOLVING CRIMINAL-IMMIGRATION ISSUES. DURING THE FIFTH YEAR OF THE VIRGINIA JUSTICE PROJECT, CAIR COALITION WILL TRAIN 300 VIRGINIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS BY CONDUCTING AT LEAST SIX TRAININGS AT VARIOUS COUNTY OR LOCAL BARS, IN ADDITION TO TRAINING AND SUPPORTING THE 315 VIRGINIA PUBLIC DEFENDER ATTORNEYS IN THE 25 PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICES, AND THE 2,500 COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS IN VIRGINIA. THIS PROJECT WILL IMPACT MORE THAN 3,000 INDIGENT NON-CITIZEN VIRGINIA RESIDENTS INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.CENTER FOR TEACHING THE RULE OF LAW RULE OF LAW PROJECT $5,000THE CENTER FOR TEACHING THE RULE OF LAW PROVIDES A WEB-BASED RESOURCE AND TRAINING CENTER FOR TEACHING THE RULE AS THE FOUNDATION OF CIVIL SOCIETIES EVERYWHERE. THE VIRGINIA LAW FOUNDATION RULE OF LAW PROJECT, THE CENTER'S FLAGSHIP PROGRAM, PAIRS LOCAL BAR ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS WITH MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS TO EXPAND STUDENTS' KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE RULE OF LAW. THE GOAL IS TO CHANGE FUNDAMENTALLY THE WAY THE RULE OF LAW IS TAUGHT AND UNDERSTOOD, ESTABLISHING IT AS THE FIRST RUNG ON THE LADDER OF UNDERSTANDING DEMOCRATIC IDEALS, PRINCIPLES, AND INSTITUTIONS. BY OFFERING RULE OF LAW SEMINARS IN UNDERSERVED REGIONS OF THE STATE, THE CENTER WILL CONTINUE TO TEACH THE TEACHERS THAT IT IS THEIR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THE RULE OF LAW, TO PROVIDE THEM WITH EDUCATIONAL TOOLS TO ENGAGE STUDENTS IN REAL-WORLD DISCUSSIONS OF WHY THE RULE OF LAW MATTERS.CHARLOTTESVILLE ALBEMARLE BAR ASSOCIATION PRO BONO PROGRAM $25,000THE CHARLOTTESVILLE ALBEMARLE BAR ASSOCIATION (CABA) LAUNCHED ITS VOLUNTEER LAWYER PROGRAM IN 2019 AND HAS SURPASSED THE GOAL OF PLACING MORE THAN 100 CAREFULLY VETTED HIGH-VALUE PRO BONO CASES WITHIN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF OPERATIONS, WHILE RELYING ON PRO BONO ATTORNEYS TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE JUSTICE GAP. MOREOVER, THE VOLUNTEER LAWYER PROGRAM MEANINGFULLY SUPPORTED ITS COMMUNITY DURING THE PANDEMIC AND WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE UNEXPECTED AND CRITICAL LEGAL SUPPORT FOR HIGH-RISK COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN CRISIS. CABA SEEKS TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM, REFINE ITS STRUCTURE, AND PRODUCE A BEST PRACTICES MANUAL THAT WILL ENABLE BAR ASSOCIATIONS TO IMPLEMENT SIMILAR PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE. WITH VIRGINIA LAW FOUNDATION FUNDING, CABA'S VOLUNTEER LAWYER PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE IMPLEMENTING, RESEARCHING, TESTING, AND DEVELOPING A PROGRAM ON BEST PRACTICES FOR CASE EVALUATION, VETTING, PACKAGING, AND MATCHING WITH PRO BONO ATTORNEYS.FAIRFAX LAW FOUNDATION NORTHERN VIRGINIA PRO BONO LAW CENTER NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH PROGRAM $25,000THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA PRO BONO LAW CENTER OF THE FAIRFAX LAW FOUNDATION PROVIDES LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO POVERTY AND LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS THROUGH THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH PROGRAM. LIAISING WITH NUMEROUS LONG-STANDING COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS BROADENS THIS PROGRAM'S IMPACT ON THOSE WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE DENIED ACCESS TO LEGAL SERVICE BY ENABLING PRO BONO ATTORNEYS TO MEET WITH POTENTIAL POPULATIONS SEEKING LEGAL AID IN THEIR FACILITIES. THIS ALLEVIATES THE BURDEN ON LOW-INCOME CLIENTS, MAKING IT EASIER FOR THEM TO MEET WITH A PRO BONO ATTORNEY. THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE LAW CENTER AND EACH OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD SITES IS CRUCIAL AS IT HELPS THE NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH PROGRAM REACH ITS INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: RESIDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO CANNOT AFFORD OR FIND CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES.FREEKIND OFFRAMPS PROGRAM $40,000FREEKIND, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE VIRGINIA BEACH JUSTICE INITIATIVE, EXISTS TO PREVENT HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN THIS SERVICE AREA AND SUPPORT THOSE IT IMPACTS ON THEIR JOURNEY TO FREEDOM. THE OFFRAMPS PROGRAM WILL IMPROVE ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION IN THE VIRGINIA BEACH REGION BY STRENGTHENING CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTNERSHIPS TO MORE EFFECTIVELY IDENTIFY VICTIMS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNIDENTIFIED OR MISIDENTIFIED, AND BY ADVOCATING FOR ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING THROUGH RESTORATIVE SERVICES RATHER THAN INCREASED INCARCERATION. FREEKIND WILL PROVIDE CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION TO JAIL PERSONNEL, ADDITIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS, PROBATION OFFICERS AND COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEYS. THE MAIN THRUST OF THESE EFFORTS WILL BE TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A "RE-ENTRY ROADMAP," A WRITTEN GOAL-ORIENTED PLAN, EMPOWERING SURVIVORS AND CREATING A SMOOTH TRANSITION AS THEY BEGIN THEIR JOURNEY TO FREEDOM. THE OFFRAMPS PROGRAM WILL IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR AT LEAST 85% OF THEIR CASES THROUGH REDUCED SENTENCING, RECOGNITION OF TIME SERVED, AND SENTENCING TO MANDATORY PROGRAMS.