Senators recognized as event spotlights legal services for veterans, DV survivors

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WASHINGTON - The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) hosted a series of events Tuesday, including awards presentations for Senators Dick Durbin (IL) and Dan Sullivan (AK), a forum on legal help for veterans and domestic violence survivors and a reception at the U.S. Supreme Court.

LSC presented Champion of Justice Awards to Sen. Durbin and Sen. Sullivan to honor their decades of commitment to expanding access to civil legal help in their states and across the country.

Sen. Durbin thanked LSC for the award, stressing the value of LSC to Americans and communities across the country.

"Although I've had the honor of representing the state of Illinois in Congress, I started my legal career as a small-town attorney. Because of that work, I'm acutely aware of the wide disparity in the ability of Americans of different economic means to access the civil justice system," Sen. Durbin said. "Legal aid changes lives for the better and improves our communities. I've been proud to support the LSC - and will continue to with my remaining time in Congress - and I'm grateful for this recognition."

Sen. Sullivan attended LSC's March 24 forum, "Making America's Promise Real for Veterans and Survivors of Domestic Violence." He reflected on his longstanding support for LSC - support that predates his time in the Senate - and on the importance of civil legal services especially on behalf of domestic violence survivors that he championed as Alaska's attorney general.

"For decades, the Legal Services Corporation has led the effort to expand legal services across our country," he said. "The work that LSC and its grantees provide for veterans, survivors of DV, and in assisting families navigating housing, reflects who we are as a country at our best."

The forum also featured remarks from LSC Board Chair John Levi, as well as two panels, "Making the Promise Real for Veterans," and "Protecting Survivors and Strengthening Communities." Leaders from legal aid, law enforcement and the veterans' community explored how civil legal services help everyday Americans - including veterans and survivors of domestic violence - navigate a complex legal system. The forum was livestreamed and is available to view online.

The day's events closed with a reception at the Supreme Court, where speakers included Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, former Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court Nathan Hecht and American Bar Association President Michelle Behnke.

LSC's events coincided with ABA Day, when lawyers from across the country advocate for civil legal services funding on Capitol Hill.

"LSC supports the national network of legal aid services providers who serve as the backbone of access to justice in our nation," Behnke said. "However, expanding access to justice is a shared effort across the legal profession, courts and public institutions. Collaboration among these groups strengthens the justice system and helps make justice real."

For photos from the forum or of the senators receiving their awards, reach out to Maria Duvuvuei at [email protected]. Video of the forum is also available here.