Give So All May Have Justice
Editorial
In Utah, lawmakers do not feel the need to appropriate money so
that the poor and elderly can afford quality legal care. Perhaps
this is because attorneys, spurred on by campaigns such as the
annual one called, "And Justice for All," have been unusually
generous in recent years, donating money for this purpose. But the
need keeps growing larger, and that means attorneys, and all others
with the means, have a greater obligation to help.
This year, the "And Justice for All" campaign is suffering from
some of the same problems facing other charitable organizations
after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. Individual and corporate
donations remain strong, but so far no large organization has
stepped forward with a big challenge grant, as has happened in each
of the past three years.
That means the responsibility for giving is greater now than
ever.
Utah's poor and disadvantaged need all types of legal help, from
dealing with domestic abuse to protecting limited assets in old
age. This campaign provides financial assistance to agencies that
regularly deal with these problems and know how best to direct the
resources.
Hard as it is to believe, the campaign is only in its fourth
year. Three years ago, thousands of people in Utah went without
competent legal representation because the resources simply weren't
available. Back then, the Disability Law Center, Legal Aid Society
and Utah Legal Services combined received less than $75,000 in
donations from lawyers and other legal professionals. Since then,
"And Justice for All" has raised $1.3 million. More than one-third
of the Utah Bar, 2,221 attorneys, have contributed. Organizers say
this is one of the highest rates anywhere in the nation. The giving
hasn't been limited to attorneys. Philanthropists, corporations and
other private entities have donated more than $368,000.
None of these contributors can afford to let up now, especially
with the economy suffering both locally and nationally. And the
two-thirds of the Utah Bar that does not donate needs to step up.
Unemployment rates are up. Bankruptcy rates are higher than ever.
The need never has been greater.
