Lexington, KY— Catherine DeFlorio, an Attorney with Legal Aid of the Bluegrass (LABG) since 2000, will be celebrated at the Crime Victims’ Rights Week luncheon and ceremony tomorrow,  April 11^th. DeFlorio has been chosen to receive the 2018 Fayette County Crime Victims’ Right Week award for her outstanding service and dedication to victims of violence. This is the first year that the award will be given to a single individual, a true testament to the reach of her work and commitment to her clients.

As we pursue ways to address environmental justice issues for our clients, brownfields are one area of specific focus. Brownfields are properties that have been previously developed and have some remaining legacy of pollution. For instance, soil, groundwater and surface water contamination may be an issue as well as general blight. Unfortunately for our clients, brownfields tend to be clustered in impoverished neighborhoods. They exacerbate disinvestment and create unsafe situations for residents.

Legal Aid of the Bluegrass (LABG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Ginn as the new Advocacy Director as of November 1, 2017. Ginn succeeds Glenda Harrison who retired after 42 years with the organization. Her considerable experience and legal aptitude will serve the legal team well and provide an innovative vision for the future of the program.   

The ABA and other organizations have been working to provide legal help to victims of Hurricane Harvey. The ABA has collected a wealth of information and resources at this web page: www.ambar.org/harvey

The ABA Pro Bono Committee has modified the ABA Free Legal Answers service so that all lawyers nationwide can volunteer to provide remote counsel and brief service through ABA Free Legal Answers and its Texas affiliate (see flyer).