University of New Mexico Emeritus Professor of Law Gloria Valencia-Weber was recently sworn in as one of 11 members of the Board of Directors for Legal Services Corporation, the single largest provider of civil legal aid for the poor in the nation. Valencia-Weber was originally appointed by President Barack Obama in 2010, and was one of six selected for reappointment. Article here.
Legal Services Corporation
Legal Services Corp. Proposed Rule on Restrictions on Criminal Representation
Here. Comment period expires Dec. 4, 2013.
The summary:
This proposed rule updates the Legal Services Corporation (LSC or Corporation) regulation on legal assistance with respect to criminal proceedings. The Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 (TLOA) amended the LSC Act to authorize LSC funds to be used for representation of persons charged with criminal offenses in tribal courts. This proposed rule will bring the regulations into alignment with the amended LSC Act. The proposed rule will also revise the conditions under which LSC recipients can accept or decline tribal court appointments to represent defendants in criminal proceedings.
Judge Sherigan to Receive LSC Pro Bono Award
Judge Angela Sherigan, tribal judge for Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, was selected to receive the Pro Bono Award from Legal Services Corporation. The event will be held at U of M law school on Thursday, July 26 from 1:30-7:30 pm.
The nomination is here.
Gloria Valencia-Weber Confirmed to Legal Services Corp. Board
Professor Gloria Valencia-Weber Appointed to Legal Services Board
The U.S. Senate has confirmed the appointment of University of New Mexico Law Professor Gloria Valencia-Weber to the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation (LCS). President Barack Obama nominated Valencia-Weber to the national policy-setting board, along with three others.
Valencia-Weber is the first board member in recent memory to contribute an expertise in Indian law. Prior to her 1992 appointment to the law faculty at UNM, where she created the Indian law certificate program, she served on the board of Oklahoma Indian Legal Services.
“Gloria Valencia-Weber has had an extremely distinguished career at the UNM School of Law. She brings an expertise to the Legal Services Board that will benefit the entire country,” said U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman. “I send my congratulations to her on this important appointment.”
The LSC was signed into law in 1974 and is the nation’s single largest provider of civil legal aid for the poor. With a budget of $342 million, the nonprofit corporation distributes funds to 137 grantees, which operate 918 legal services offices across the country. From the beginning, the budget included a commitment specifically to Native Americans, and with her deep knowledge of Indian law and tribal customs, Valencia-Weber already has provided valuable insight to her fellow board members.
As a member of the bipartisan 11-member board, Valencia-Weber regularly visits legal services offices across the country, to hear about their needs and see different models being used for providing legal services. During these field visits, board members also meet with other legal services organizations to gain a greater understanding of the overall accessibility of legal representation for poor people.
“I feel highly honored to be on the board,” said Valencia-Weber. “I look forward to learning new things to further the goals of the LSC.”
Gloria Valencia-Weber Named the Legal Services Corporation Board
Here is the press release from the White House:
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_____________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 6, 2009
President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts:
- David C. Gompert, Principal Deputy National Intelligence Director, Office of the Director of National Intelligence
- William E. Kennard, Representative of the United States of America to the European Union, with the rank of Ambassador, Department of State
- Alan D. Solomont, Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, Department of State
- Robert J. Grey, Board Member, Legal Services Corporation
- John G. Levi, Board Member, Legal Services Corporation
- Martha L. Minow, Board Member, Legal Services Corporation
- Julie A. Reiskin, Board Member, Legal Services Corporation
- Gloria Valencia-Weber, Board Member, Legal Services Corporation
President Obama also announced that he will designate Ruth Y. Goldway, currently serving as a Commissioner on the Postal Regulatory Commission, as Chair of the Postal Regulatory Commission.
Turtle Talk 