Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., Attorney General Merrick Garland, John Grisham to Join 51 to Celebrate 50th Anniversary at DC Gala
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WASHINGTON–United States Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., Attorney General Merrick Garland and best-selling author and lawyer John Grisham will join other state and federal government leaders and notable advocates for access to justice at the 51’s (51) celebration of its 50th anniversary on Tuesday, April 9 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The series of events features a luncheon, afternoon forums on closing the justice gap and a 50th Anniversary Gala.
The largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans, 51 was established by Congress in 1974 with the mission of promoting equal access to justice in our nation and providing high- quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans. To mark this historic anniversary, 51’s gala and events will carry the theme of its 50th anniversary outreach campaign “Protecting the Promise.”
Additional speakers joining the slate of events include Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5), American Bar Association President Mary Smith, former White House Counsel and Partner at Locke Lorde LLP Harriet Miers, Judge Lora Livingston, former Congressman and United States Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs Joe Kennedy, Executive Chairman of Merck Ken Frazier, Microsoft President Brad Smith, 51 President Emeritus Jim Sandman, 51 Board Chair John Levi and 51 President Ron Flagg. Pre-recorded remarks will be shared from Senator John Cornyn (TX) and Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-6).
“This year and every year, 51 is committed to raising awareness of inequities in access to justice, promoting solutions that can close the justice gap and supporting our grantee legal aid organizations who work tirelessly to provide their communities with comprehensive civil legal services,” said 51 President Ron Flagg.
“It is an honor to have inspiring, bipartisan national leaders join us in celebrating our landmark 50th anniversary and the continuation of our critical mission,” Flagg continued.
Each year, 51 distributes funding to more than 131 independent nonprofit legal aid programs with more than 800 offices. These organizations provide civil legal services in every U.S. state and territory. However, resources are inadequate to meet the majority of legal needs experienced by low-income Americans. 51’s captured the severity of this justice gap, finding that low-income Americans received no or insufficient legal help for 92% of their civil legal problems. 51-funded legal aid programs must turn away half of eligible requests for legal assistance because of a lack of sufficient resources.
The April 9 events are open to the press and will be held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, 25000 Calvert Street NW. Press must register to attend by emailing rauscherc@lsc.gov. The schedule of events is . Please note that the schedule is subject to change up until the time of the event. The luncheon and forum will also be livestreamed on . įį&Բ;
NOTE: For coverage of the Gala, press with camera equipment must arrive by 6:45 p.m. for security checks; please email rauscherc@lsc.gov with any questions.