Public education initiative to focus on senior citizens

The State Bar will launch a major public education intiative with the May 1 publication of its new guide for consumers, "Seniors & the Law: A Guide for Maturing Californians."

Major kickoff events will be held at senior and legal aid centers around the state, starting on May 1 with two events in Los Angeles. Between then and June 7, when the guide will be featured at "Scam Jam 2003" in San Diego, events will be held in Chico, the Coachella Valley, Fresno, River-side, San Francisco, Santa Barbara and Sacramento.

Each event will include an educational program for seniors and people who care for seniors as well as programming by the hosting center.

"Seniors & the Law" is sponsored in part by a $50,000 grant from the Foundation of the State Bar of California. The bar is printing a half-million copies in English and a quarter-million copies in Spanish.

Several of the kickoff events will feature Spanish speakers, and at least one event in the Coachella Valley will be conducted totally in Spanish.

Every member of the State Bar will receive a copy of "Seniors & the Law" in the May issue of the California Bar Journal. Advance orders may be placed by e-mailing barcomm@calbar.ca.gov.

Please include number of copies and an exact mailing address (P.O. Box addresses are not acceptable.) The consumer information guide is free, but all contributions for bulk orders will be gratefully accepted.