ATJ Update

The Gift of Freedom

Recently we celebrated our independence over the Fourth of July weekend. Traditionally, Independence Day is a time for fireworks, cookouts, time with friends and family, and the melodious sounds of Tchaikovsky’s "1812 Overture" or Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.” It is also a time to reflect on freedom.  

Our freedom is a gift many of us take for granted. For example, we rely on our right to be paid for our work; to marry, raise a family, and live free from violence in our homes; and to receive an equal education at a good public school.

But what happens when someone like Marcus, who has been working dutifully for his employer, isn’t paid his rightful wages? Or what about Kai, who lives in fear of her husband who is verbally, physically, and emotionally abusive to her and her children? And what about Sebastian, whose school discriminates against him because he has a disability?

Thankfully, legal aid can step in to preserve justice and freedom for Kai, Marcus, Sebastian, and thousands like them. With help from legal aid, Sebastian now receives the services he needs to learn and prosper in school; Kai was able to get a protective order for her family and is no longer in fear; and Marcus received the back wages he was owed.

Making a contribution to the statewide Justice for All Campaign ensures critical financial support for legal aid organizations in your community and around the state that provide support, protection, and freedom to low-income Texans who wouldn’t otherwise have a voice.

Many have chosen to make an even greater impact by joining the Champion of Justice Society by contributing $250 or more. Thank you for your thoughtful generosity and for the protection and freedom you’ve made possible.   

TYLA’s 2016 Champion of Justice Society Members:
(as of July 5)

GUARDIANS

Carlos Zaffirini Jr.

HEROES

William Sutton

DEFENDERS

Joshua  Henderson

Matthew Lloyd

Jeffrey  Watters

ADVOCATES

John Atkins

John Bateman

Russell Booth

David Hopkins Brown

Timir Chheda

Ashley  Crooks

Neill Fuquay

Matthew Gilpin

Damian Gomez

Ryan Goodland

Peter Hansen

Russell Herman

Nina Hess Hsu

Harland Jones

Chelsea Keeton

Jeremy Kraus

Sanjeev Kumar

Lacy Lawrence

Sumit Pattanaik

Sara Puls

Siavash Rahbari

Andrea Shannon

Jenny Smith

Molly Spieczny

Zachary White

Virgil Yanta

The Texas Access to Justice Commission has been striving to fulfill its mission increase access to justice in civil legal matters for low-income Texans for more than 15 years. Its statewide Justice for All Campaign raises funds for legal aid organizations around the state that work tirelessly to preserve the rule of law and fairness in our justice system.

Views and opinions expressed in eNews are those of their authors and not necessarily those of the Texas Young Lawyers Association or the State Bar of Texas.