The Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel Act (AB 590)
The Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel Act
(AB 590) extends free legal representation to economically
challenged individuals and families facing eviction, domestic
violence, child custody disputes, and other critical civil legal
actions on a pilot project basis. Pleased as we are to be
winning awards and earning accolades for our part in helping
spur passage of AB 590, the real reward comes from knowing
that our skills and experience have
helped protect vulnerable Californians. Although
unprecedented economy-driven funding crises have threatened the
very existence of California's legal aid programs, Manatt has
worked long and hard to enable low-income
citizens to access the same caliber of legal
representation as is available to the privileged. AB 590
allows California lawyers to earmark ten percent of their state bar
dues for a "Temporary Emergency Legal Services Voluntary Assistance
Fund" over the next three years, which will help state legal aid
programs to continue providing counsel to low-income
citizens on matters impacting their families and safety.