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Working to ensure equal justice under the law for all who live and work in Virginia
Featured Stories
Virginia Medical-Legal Partnership Network Launches New Website
Medical-Legal Partnerships improve health outcomes by harnessing the power of doctors, lawyers and social workers working together for their patients. In 2004, the Legal Aid Justice Center, University of Virginia Medical Center and the University of Virginia School of Law formed Virginia’s first Medical-Legal Partnership in Charlottesville. There are now nine sites throughout the Commonwealth. These Partnerships serve individuals, families, children, and elders with a wide range of medical, legal, and social work needs. Visit the Virginia Medical-Legal Partnership Network’s new website, www.mlpvirginia.org, to learn more.
Legal Aid Client Joins President Obama in the Rose Garden to Urge Extension of Unemployment Benefits
On July 19, 2010, President Obama addressed the nation and urged the Senate to pass legislation that includes an extension of unemployment benefits. By his side was Leslie Macko, a client of the Legal Aid Justice Center, who lost her job in 2009. She has persistently searched for work, but to no avail. She is one of many workers who are facing termination of their benefits if Congress fails to act.
The unemployment measure has been held up for weeks in the Senate. On July 20, 2010, Carte Goodwin will be sworn in to fill the West Virginia seat previously held by the late Senator Robert C. Byrd. It is anticipated that Carte Goodwin will cast the deciding vote in favor of the extension.
Watch the video of the President’s remarks from the Rose Garden and hear him tell Ms. Macko's story.
Read the Press Statement from the White House.
Attorney Sought - Virginia Institutionalized Persons Project
The Legal Aid Justice Center seeks a creative and highly motivated attorney to drive forward its Virginia Institutionalized Persons (VIP) Project. Based in Charlottesville, the attorney will litigate issues involving prisoners and other institutionalized persons in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The attorney will both handle cases independently and serve as co-counsel with experienced pro bono, civil rights attorneys around the state. The attorney will also strengthen our alliances with state and national groups that address conditions in prisons, jails and mental health institutions.
Read more about the position here.
NPR - Car Dealers May Escape Scrutiny Of Consumer Loans
The proposed new Consumer Financial Protection Board may contain a gigantic loophole leaving consumers exposed to unregulated financial products. Legal Aid Justice Center contract attorney, Tom Domonoske, speaks out on National Public Radio (NPR).
Read the article and listen to the clip here.
Angela Ciolfi Wins American Bar Association Award
The American Bar Association announced that Angela Ciolfi, legal director of the Legal Aid Justice Center’s JustChildren Program, will receive a National Child Advocacy Award from the Young Lawyers Division. The award will be presented at the ABA’s annual meeting in San Francisco on Aug. 7, 2010.
Read the press release about the award -- and Angela's accomplishments -- here.