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SABA Responds to Member and Community Demand
Reliable, Clear, and Accurate Legal Information for Our Community in Crisis
By Whitney Thomas, Bexar Outreach Attorney
The San Antonio Bar Foundation is committed to the mission that all San Antonians have full and fair access to justice. The current state of affairs has highlighted how many of our San Antonio neighbors are vulnerable in times of crisis. In May, the San Antonio Bar Foundation responded to this emergency by creating the Bexar Community Outreach Project and hiring an Outreach Attorney to foster a new standard for community engagement.
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Expanded Public Resource Information: As our pandemic circumstances deepen, so does our reliance on sound online information. The San Antonio Bar Association (SABA) has expanded its website with a dedicated For The Public landing page that provides reliable information and links to trusted resources such as TexasLawHelp.org and local pro bono providers. With the use of social media platforms and streaming tools, SABA is committed to developing more online and interactive content for the public.
Ask a Lawyer: This summer, SABA introduced the Ask a Lawyer series. Ask a Lawyer is a free, virtual community event held every Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. Volunteer attorneys answer legal questions and guide participants to additional resources, public agencies, or a referral to the Lawyer Referral Service.
ACCESS TO REPRESENTATION
The economic consequences of the growing health pandemic have enhanced the divide between vulnerable populations and access to justice. The burden on pro bono agencies is increasing, and the majority of low-income residents do not meet the strict income limits to access pro bono services.
In response, SABA has created a modest-means registry within the SABA Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) program. LRS Attorneys who offer income-qualified service fees may opt in to be included in the modest-means registry to provide services to these populations.
SABA is here to serve our members and our community. SABA members interested in sharing ideas, volunteering to create online content, or learning more about the Bexar Outreach Project, please contact Bexar Outreach Attorney Whitney Thomas at whitneyt@sabar.org.
Whitney Thomas is a San Antonio native and an attorney at the Johnny W. Thomas Law Office, P.C., where she has a Probate, Estate Administration, and Bankruptcy practice. Ms. Thomas serves part-time as the Bexar Outreach Attorney for the San Antonio Bar Association.
