California Bar Journal
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA - MAY 2002
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OPINION

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A bigger and better pro bono event
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By RUSSEL ROECA
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After a five-year hiatus, one of the best events the State Bar has to offer is returning, and all signs indicate it will be bigger and better than ever. The statewide legal services/ pro bono training conference, this year titled "Pathways to Justice," will offer three days of intensive training for both staff and volunteers of legal services and pro bono programs, court programs and many other community groups.

The 2002 program will be special for many reasons, but mostly because the pro bono conference fell victim to the bar's fiscal and political woes of the late 1990s. Now that the State Bar has gotten back on its feet, we can begin to focus again on the important work of providing legal services for those most in need and seeking equal access to justice for all Californians.

During the three-day period, May 30 to June 1 in Los Angeles, more than 55 training and educational sessions will be offered, many with MCLE credit.

The program is sponsored by the State Bar's Office of Legal Services, Access & Fairness Programs, and the Legal Aid Association of California and will feature two prominent speakers: Judge Veronica McBeth of the Los Angeles County Superior Court will kick off the event, and State Sen. Sheila James Kuehl will close it.

The "Pathways to Justice" program will be held at the Omni Hotel at California Plaza. More information on the programs offered and registration may be found at www.calbar.org/events/pathways.pdf or by calling 415/538-2143 to register and/or 415/538-2141 for more details.

I urge you to "celebrate" the return of this conference by attending and learning more about how we can provide necessary legal services for thousands of people in our continually growing state.

Russell Roeca of San Francisco represents District 4 on the State Bar Board of Governors.