July 2007

ON THE NEVADA LAW FOUNDATION

By Ryan Creel

          The Nevada Law Foundation was created in 1983 to address the unique legal needs of Nevada’s indigent and disadvantaged citizens.  Soon after the foundation’s inception, the Nevada Supreme Court adopted rules enabling the foundation to collect interest from lawyers’ trust accounts.  These rules have allowed the foundation to disburse funds to organizations that deal first-hand with those in need of legal aid.

          One of the main concerns about the establishment of the IOLTA (Interest Off Lawyers’ Trust Accounts) fund upon creation was that it was seen as “taking,” from either the attorney or client, respectively.  However, banks throughout the state previously maintained these funds, and the amounts were so small that paying it to clients was cost-prohibitive.  For example, one prominent Las Vegas firm concluded that it would owe a certain client 21 cents from its general trust account.  In order to establish that the firm owed this client 21 cents, it took the firm’s accountant the better part of a morning to calculate this figure, and they would have to spend 37 cents to send said client the 21-cent check.  Because of the rules established by the Nevada Supreme Court, the Nevada Law Foundation now maintains all of these funds, which has allowed our group to distribute approximately four million dollars, in the form of direct grants, to programs throughout the state.

          The primary goal of the Nevada Law Foundation is to develop and maintain programs that provide legal-related services to the poor, to victims of domestic violence, and to children protected by, or in need of protection by, the juvenile court.  Each year, the foundation receives numerous grant applications from worthy candidates, and our board of trustees must make the difficult decision of deciding which groups will receive Nevada Law Foundation funding.  To assure impartiality and fairness, the board is composed of six lawyers and three laypersons.  The current board is lead by our outgoing chairman, Curtis Coulter, Esq., who will be replaced by our Chairperson-Elect Carolyne Myers, Esq..  The rest of the board is as follows: Nelson Mackenna, Secretary/Treasurer; Robert T. Eglet, Esq.; Diane Fearon; Pete Gibson, Esq.; Robert Maddox, Esq.; Roberta Prutzman; and Merri Belaustegui-Traficanti, Esq.. 

          For 2007, the board granted funds to 19 groups that see to the needs of countless disadvantaged Nevadans.  Some provide temporary protection orders, shelter, free legal services, or advocacy, often sacrificing of themselves to ensure the safety and freedom of battered women and children.  Others are dedicated to educating citizens with regard to the laws and statutes of their areas, that they may better understand their rights and responsibilities, resulting in more accountable communities.  Whether it is one or the other, these groups provide an invaluable, frequently life-saving, service to our state, and without them numerous individuals would be hurt, homeless, or left with nowhere to turn.

          Every day, these organizations make a positive difference in the lives of countless Nevadans.  There are many examples of this point, but I wanted to give you a brief glimpse, in microcosm, at the goals and functions of some of our grantees.  The Committee to Aid Abused Women, for example, uses grant monies from the foundation to run the Protection Order Project.  This project seeks to ensure that the survivors of domestic violence have access to the life-saving legal services of temporary protection and related orders.  Clark County Legal Services operates the Clark Country Pro Bono Project, which provides information and referral, counsel and advice, and free representation by volunteer attorneys.  Nevada Legal Services is a non-profit organization providing civil representation to low-income Nevadans.  Another of our grantees, S.A.F.E. House, runs a multi-faceted program that provides system and legal advocacy while assisting domestic violence victims in their attempts to create safe and abuse-free lives for themselves and their children.  And Washoe Legal Services aims to ensure that quality legal services are provided in civil legal matters for low-income individuals and groups.

          While the IOLTA program constitutes the majority of the Nevada Law Foundation’s funding, our organization raises money through two other avenues as well.  The annual “Silver Ball,” which was recently held on April 14^th at Las Vegas’ prestigious Four Seasons Hotel, is the foundation’s main fund-raising event.  The Silver Ball treats our donors to an evening of fine dining and great company.  This gala event gathers many of our legal community’s most accomplished members.  Attendees at this year’s ball, which had a “Roaring 20s” theme, arrived at 6:00 p.m. for cocktail hour, where they bid on one or more of the numerous donated “silent auction” items.  These auction items have included artwork, memorabilia, vacations, hotel stays, and plane tickets.  At 7:00, patrons were seated for the main proceedings, which honored the newly-elected “Nevada Law Foundation Colleagues.”  There they were treated to an extravagant four-course meal, followed by dancing.

          The Nevada Law Foundation “Colleague Program,” the other main fund-raising avenue for our group, was created to complement and supplement foundation efforts.  The IOLTA program generates much financial support, but the Colleague Program allows those in the legal community who want to assist further, to do so.  Each year, the Nevada Law Foundation board of trustees extends this honor, by election, to various attorneys throughout our state have been recognized for their devotion to the welfare of the legal community and the legal profession.

          Because of the support of the Nevada Law Foundation, groups such as Nevada Legal Services, the Clark County Pro Bono Project, and Washoe Legal Services are flourishing.  Each day, hundreds of dedicated lawyers and legal staff make justice come alive for those who might otherwise be forgotten.  With the dedication of foundation volunteers, and the generosity of supporters, the Nevada Law Foundation moves closer to its goals.  The good work of the foundation benefits both our state, and the legal profession.  With your help, we will continue to see to it that those who need them most will be granted the vital legal services they so desperately need.