May 1, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For additional information, contact: 
Gary Taylor at 405.488.6768.

Governor Henry Proclaims 'Legal Aid Week' May 1-8

The proclamation states that both the United States of America and the state of Oklahoma were founded on the premise of justice for all; that it is in the best interests of the state for all Oklahomans to have access to legal counsel when needed; and that Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma® has 21 offices throughout the state and serves low-income and elderly clients in all 77 counties.

Legal Aid provides an economic benefit to state and local economies by helping people return to the workforce, moving disabled persons from state to federal benefits and securing disability awards for clients," reads the proclamation.

The proclamation further says that Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma® legal service handles over 20,000 cases a year, protecting the rights of elderly and low-income persons who have no money for an attorney and are faced with a civil legal problem in the area of housing, family welfare, domestic violence, income maintenance and consumer law.

Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc. is a not-for-profit law firm which provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income individuals and their families and to elderly persons.  Legal Aid attorneys and their staff work through Legal Aid's 21 law offices and satellite offices, serving eligible clients in all 77 counties of Oklahoma.    Legal Aid prioritizes cases involving issues which affect basic necessities of life, such as safety, food, shelter, and a source of income, or those cases which have an emergency nature, such as a hearing in a few days or an impending eviction.

A copy of the proclamation document is posted on this page:
http://www.probono.net/link.cfm?12476