For this issue of the Sacramento Lawyer, we thought we'd catch you up on some news.

First, we would like to thank the Sacramento Valley Paralegal Association for their recent $500 donation from the proceeds of their 2005 Crab Feed. President Cynthia Park was kind enough to invite us to the monthly SVPA lunch to receive the check and to discuss the work that we do here at the Voluntary Legal Services Program. We will be using the donation to pay for a new computer for our Probate Section Assistance Clinic. We are grateful to the SVPA for its support.

While we are on the subject of thank yous, VLSP would like to thank the Sacramento County Bar Association for its ongoing support of our pro bono program. Not only does the SCBA support VLSP monetarily; we are allowed to communicate with SCBA members through the Sacramento Lawyer Magazine. Of course, individual members of the SCBA are active VLSP volunteers providing pro bono assistance to our low-income clients. Other SCBA members are on our Advisory Committee. Furthermore, many SCBA members generously contribute to VLSP each year through the fall VLSP Phonathon. In addition, many of the SCBA sections and affiliates have provided financial support for VLSP over the years. At VLSP, we are grateful for this partnership with the SCBA that provides pro bono legal assistance to those low-income clients of the Sacramento area who would otherwise be unable to afford legal counsel. This is a tremendous public service for which we can all be proud.

Next year, VLSP will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary. In the spring of 2006, we will be having a celebration honoring our volunteers and supporters. We look forward to the opportunity to celebrate the generosity of the Sacramento County legal community.

As to more mundane, but important matters: VLSP currently has over 800 volunteer attorneys, paralegals, interns, notaries and interpreters on our pro bono panel. Because of our size, and to ease communications with our volunteers, we are utilizing email more frequently. We would encourage all volunteers to update all of their contact information, especially their email addresses, when things change. This helps us operate more efficiently. If you haven't already done so, you can update your volunteer application with us by filling out an on-line application at www.vlsp.org. Once you have signed up on-line, you can go back to our website and update your contact information as it changes. If you aren't thrilled with on-line applications, feel free to call us at (916) 551- 2116 and leave us a message updating your information. Thank you.

Finally, each year VLSP offers inexpensive MCLE classes in those areas of law wherein our clients are seeking assistance with the idea of encouraging attorneys to volunteer their time. Further information can be found at our web site (in the calendar section). Upcoming classes include:

• "Answering Debt Collection Lawsuits": May 31, 2005 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Speaker: Alysa Meyer, VLSP Staff Attorney for the Debt Collection Defense and Bankruptcy Clinics. Location: VLSP, 517 12th Street, Sacramento. 1.5 hours of MCLE credit. Fees: VLSP volunteers, $25, others, $40.

• "Identity Theft Prevention and Mitigation": June 14, 2005 from noon to 1:15 pm. Lunch will be provided. Location: VLSP, 517 12th Street, Sacramento. 1.25 hours MCLE credit. Fees: VLSP volunteers, $25, others, $65.

• "Guardianship Procedure: Creating Alternative Families": September 19, 2005 from 6 to 9 pm. Speakers: Evelyn Skall, Esq., Sacramento Superior Court-Probate Division and Oneatha Herne, Sacramento Court Investigator. Location: VLSP, 517 12th Street, Sacramento. 3 hours MCLE credit. Fees: VLSP Volunteers, $35, others, $65.

To enroll, please mail a check payable to VLSP in the amount specified to 517 12th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, or call Denise at (916) 551-2153.

May / June 2005