By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – The state Alabama Supreme Court has directed all the lawyers in Alabama to participate in a program designed to provide legal help for the poor in civil matters.
Starting January 1st, attorneys must pool short-term or nominal deposits made on behalf of clients or third parties into one account.
Interest generated by the accounts is dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations that provide free civil legal services.
The funds will be disbursed by the Alabama Law Foundation and the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation.
Those groups were established by Alabama State Bar and the Alabama Association for Justice.
The money will be distributed to organizations that help in legal matters involving issues such as housing, family law, domestic violence, health, disability and foster car.
Alabama is the 35th state to establish such a program and it's expected to generate $1 (m) million annually.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)