With the average law school loan debt now in excess of $80,000 and civil legal service salaries remaining well below private sector salaries, in 2005, the ACBA Young Lawyers Division and the ACBF Lawyers Fund adopted LRAP as a means to attract and retain the best lawyers to serve the public interest needs of Allegheny County. The LRAP awards will provide direct relief to selected qualified civil legal service attorneys.
Funding
The ACBA Board of Governors and ACBF Lawyers Fund have each committed $25,000 per year for 2006-2008 for a total funding of $150,000.
Eligibility
The LRAP will provide up to ten awards to qualified attorneys from legal service agencies in Allegheny County, with two each earmarked for KidsVoice, Neighborhood Legal Services Association, and the Juvenile Court Project. Additionally, two awards will be given to attorneys from other civil legal service agencies. Commencing in 2007, one award will be earmarked for the Public Defender's Office and one award will be earmarked for the District Attorney's Office.
Applicants must be members of the Allegheny County Bar Association.
Applicants must be employed full-time by an ACBA-recognized civil legal service agency as defined by the ACBA dues structure.
Awards are renewable for up to three years without reapplication.
Awards are up to $3,600 annually (not to exceed 50% of monthly loan principal payment).
Application deadline: Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Click here for more information about LRAP.
Click here to download an application.
For more information, contact Lorrie Albert at 412-402-6640 or lalbert@acba.org.