Organization: MISSISSIPPI BAR FOUNDATION
Mission: IMPROVE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE BY PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR LEGAL SERVICES TO THE POOR & NEEDY.
Activities: INTEREST ON LAWYERS TRUST ACCOUNT PROGRAM ("IOLTA"):THE FOUNDATION GAVE 8 GRANTS FOR $150,000 IN THE CATEGORIES OF LEGAL AID TO THE POOR, LAW-RELATED EDUCATION, AND IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. RECIPIENTS INCLUDED MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR LEGAL SERVICES, NORTH MISSISSIPPI RURAL LEGAL SERVICES, MISSISSIPPI VOLUNTEER LAWYERS PROJECT, MISSION FIRST LEGAL AID OFFICE, UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI CHILD ADVOCACY LEGAL CLINIC, GULF COAST CENTER FOR NONVIOLENCE, MISSISSIPPI BAR YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION LAW-RELATED EDUCATION PROGRAM, AND LAWYERS AND JUDGES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.THE IOLTA PROGRAM PROVIDED FUNDING TO THE LOAN REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO ASSIST LAW SCHOOL GRADUATES PURSUE A CAREER IN PUBLIC INTEREST AND SERVE THE POOR OR UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS THROUGH DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES. EIGHT ATTORNEYS EMPLOYED BY IOLTA GRANTEES RECEIVED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH THEIR LAW SCHOOL LOANS.BANK OF AMERICA MORTGAGE SETTLEMENT:THE FOUNDATION GAVE FUNDS FROM THE BANK OF AMERICA MORTGAGE SETTLEMENT TO 3 GRANTEES TO ASSIST WITH FORECLOSURE PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS: MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR JUSTICE, MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR LEGAL SERVICES, AND NORTH MISSISSIPPI RURAL LEGAL SERVICES.
FELLOWS GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS:THE FELLOWS OF THE FOUNDATION PRESENTED 4 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR $2,000 EACH TO TWO LAW STUDENTS AT MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE SCHOOL OF LAW AND TWO LAW STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL OF LAW.
ANNUAL MEETING:THE ANNUAL MEETING WAS HELD VIRTUALLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FELLOWS INDUCTION CEREMONY AND THE MEMORIAL SERVICE, RECOGNIZING ALL FELLOWS THAT HAVE PASSED AWAY DURING THE YEAR FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PUBLIC AND THE PROFESSION. THE PRESENTATION OF THE FOUNDATION'S PROFESSIONALISM AWARD AND LAW RELATED PUBLIC EDUCATION AWARD WERE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MEETING.KIDS' CHANCE OF MISSISSIPPI SCHOLARSHIP FUND (KIDS' CHANCE):KIDS' CHANCE WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE CHILDREN WHO HAVE HAD A PARENT KILLED OR A PARENT PERMANENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABLED ON THE JOB WITH SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL SCHOOL OR COLLEGE. ELEVEN STUDENTS RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING $75,000.
NTEE category: Crime & Legal-Related
Secondary category: International, Foreign Affairs & National Security