2011 June Black Pro Bono Award Given to DLA Piper, LLP and Hewlett-Packard Company

VLSP is pleased to announce that the 2011 June Black Pro Bono Award has been given to the Sacramento office of DLA Piper, LLP and the legal department of Hewlett-Packard Company.  DLA and HP have partnered with VLSP and the Sacramento County Probation Department to provide services to low income clients who are seeking to seal their juvenile records.  At our monthly Juvenile Records Sealing Clinic, volunteers from DLA and HP meet with clients and prepare the paperwork needed for the Court to seal juvenile records.  This Clinic is a new project that was started with the assistance of DLA and HP and would not have been possible without their efforts.

The sealing of juvenile records helps people move forward in a positive direction in their lives and assists them in applying for employment, serving in the military and obtaining student loans.   The volunteers from DLA and HP have treated their clients with the utmost respect and concern.

VLSP looks forward to a long partnership with DLA and HP in providing pro bono services to our low-income clients who would otherwise be unable to obtain the assistance of counsel and congratulates them on receiving the 2011 June Black Pro Bono Award.

VLSP’s 30th Anniversary Celebration A Success!

On October 26, 2011, the Voluntary Legal Services Program celebrated its 30th year in providing pro bono legal assistance to low income clients in the Sacramento region.  The celebration took place at the Casa Garden Restaurant in Sacramento with many VLSP volunteers and supporters in attendance.  The presentation of the 2011 June Black Pro Bono Award was made at this event.

VLSP was the brainchild of local attorneys Tom Eres and Jim—now Judge----Mize.  As a regular volunteer at Legal Services of Northern California, Mize saw first-hand the need for further legal services for the poor.  Despite his arguments in favor of creating a volunteer-based organization, it wasn’t until 1981, when Tom Eres was the President of the Sacramento County Bar Association, that the support to establish VLSP was there.  By keeping the discussion focused on the core value of equal justice, Mize and Eres were able to gain support for the program.  Both Judge Mize and Tom Eres spoke at our 30th anniversary celebration.  For pictures and further details about this celebration, please go HERE.