6. NEW BOOK SHOWS LAWYERS HOW THEY CAN USE THEIR SKILLS TO HELP THE HOMELESS
Recognizing that many in the legal profession have the desire and ability to help the most impoverished members of our society but are unsure of the ways in which they can contribute to the struggle against such life-threatening circumstances, the Commission on Homelessness and Poverty released "Lawyers Working to End Homelessness" at the 2006 ABA Annual Meeting in Hawaii.
The book highlights how lawyers and advocates can use their skills to address homelessness in their community. Lawyers from all areas of practice – from solo practitioners and big firm attorneys to government lawyers and advocates at nonprofit agencies – present a broad spectrum of advocacy measures. The articles reflect the diversity of experience and talent of the legal profession, as well as the ingenuity and creativity of those who have sought alternate methods of helping others. With contributions from a broad range of lawyers, judges, law students and service providers, the book speaks to all readers who are interested in using their skills to help those that are often overlooked or ignored.
Contributions include articles about the establishment of the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty; an innovative legal services program that utilizes law students to conduct outreach and provide supervised legal representation to Seattle's population of homeless and runaway youth; a major litigation, aided in large part by law students, that protected homeless people against mistreatment from their own city; a law firm’s journey as it worked on securing the rights of homeless children to attend public schools; the establishment, growth and successes of a revolutionary new Homeless Court Program that helps the reintegration of people who are homeless into a more stable lifestyle.
"Lawyers Working to End Homelessness" is available through the ABA Web Store.
Year in Reivew is published by the
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