Fighting for Racial Justice
February is Black History Month and to honor this, it is important now more than ever to acknowledge that Black Americans continue to be overrepresented in our country’s jails and prisons. Because of this disparity, NLADA continues to fervently fight for equity and racial justice. As an advocate for racial justice, you can join the NLADA Race Equity Advocacy Listserv to s tay up to date with information that will fuel your fight for equity.
|
|
Experience 111 Years of NLADA in 111 Days
In case you missed it, this month, we have commenced our #111DaysofNLADA campaign, a social media campaign dedicated to celebrating the work that NLADA has done since its inception in 1911. For more than a century, NLADA has worked toward making legal services and justice accessible to all through advocacy, enabling data-driven strategies and collaboration. We want everyone, especially you, our members and friends to be proud of what we accomplished together over the years. We have began posting for this exciting campaign, so when you're on social media, be on the lookout on all of our social media platforms for posts with #111DaysofNLADA. Help us celebrate our collective efforts as we move toward a more equitable future!
|
|
The Upcoming FY2022 Appropriations Deadline
Little progress has been made on appropriations for FY2022, despite the imminent expiration of the Continuing Resolution (CR) that has enabled federal programs to continue operating under FY2021 spending levels. Congress must pass an appropriations package or a new CR by February 18 in order to avoid a government shutdown. That is currently considered unlikely, but it does not appear that the issues that have prevented interparty agreement so far, including around topline funding increases for domestic programs relative to defense spending. If the deadline is not met, a further short-term CR could be passed in order to give appropriators more time to complete their negotiations. Alternatively, Congress may decide to maintain funding for all programs at current levels for the remainder of the year.
NLADA will continue to advocate that Congress pass a budget for FY2022 that maximizes funding for the Legal Services Corporation and other important federal programs, and will continue to keep you informed of developments.
|
|
Survey on Race and Public Defense Representation
NLADA, in collaboration with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and the Center for Court Innovation (CCI), is administering a survey to learn how race impacts the perspectives, attitudes and culture of public defense attorneys in the criminal legal, child welfare and immigration systems across the country. This voluntary, anonymous survey is open to all lawyers providing public defense representation in state and/or federal court, including those working for public defender offices, managing assigned counsel programs, are under contract agreements and those providing court-appointed representation. Click here to take the survey. If you have any questions, please contact NLADA staff member Tinsae Gebriel at t.gebriel@nlada.org
|
|
Vista Host Site Applications are Now Open!
Are you searching for ways to expand your holistic defense practice? Starting this month, join NLADA staff member, Anna Ladd, in a series of virtual learning sessions to learn more about how AmeriCorps VISTA can improve your office's capacity and build stronger data systems and partnerships. These sessions will take place over the next month. Click each date to take part in a session: March 3, March 18 and March 22.
|
|
2022 Beacon of Justice Awards are OPEN!
NLADA's focus for the 2022 Beacon of Justice Awards is "Sustaining Racial Equity and Hope" highlighting law firms continuing the work to address racial inequities within their communities and/or on the national level. The NLADA community and our pro bono partners are doing amazing work to advance racial equity. We look forward to recognizing that work with this year's Beacon of Justice Awards. The deadline to submit an application is March 1, 2022.
|
|
Charting the Course Forward
Our president & CEO, April Frazier Camara will join several industry leaders in a panel hosted by the Center on Race, Inequality and the Law at the New York University School of Law. Be sure to tune in Thursday, February 17 at 4pm ET/1pm PT to celebrate the 5-year virtual anniversary of the center and hear the panel discuss the future of racial justice. Click here to learn more and register.
|
|
Member Corner
NLADA is pleased to work with Steve Ortiz from Mutual of America Financial Group, as our endorsed partner, for group retirement plan products and related services. Currently, Mutual of America provides services to the retirement plans of 43% of our members and is a proud supporter of the work we do.
Please plan to join us on March 15, 2022 when Mutual of America will host a FREE webinar entitled, “Women and Retirement.” This webinar is exclusive to NLADA members. Attendees will receive practical information and insights to get better prepared for the kind of financial future you want and deserve.
Don’t miss out on this exciting and informative webinar! Be sure to SAVE THE DATE as registration information for the “Women and Retirement” webinar will be forthcoming.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
