Since its founding by the Maine State Bar Association in 1983, the Maine Bar Foundation has served the legal profession and Maine's communities through its proactive administration of the IOLTA Program and other public service law related activities.
From its incorporation by Founders Hon. Howard H. Dana, Jr., Phyllis Givertz, Hon. J. David Kennedy, Mary L. Schendel and Kinvin Wroth, the Foundation has been led by outstanding, committed lawyers from every corner of Maine and the legal profession.
All contributions to the Foundation are tax deductible.
Board of Directors & Committee
See home page for listings
The Bar Foundation's income is generated from
the IOLTA Program (Interest
On Lawyers Trust Accounts), private bar donations to
the
Campaign for Justice, the Fellows Program, and private donations.
IOLTA Program
Approved by the Maine Supreme Court in 1986, Maine's IOLTA program
provides 96% of the Bar Foundation's income. Certain client trust funds, which would not
otherwise earn distributive interest, are deposited in a special pooled account. The
interest proceeds from that account represent IOLTA revenue. The Bar Foundation manages
Maine's IOLTA Program, which, since its inception has generated over 11.4 million dollars
to support efforts ensuring people of limited means access to the legal system; to help
elders, immigrants, abused women and children, and others with pressing legal needs; and
to educate school children and the public on the rights and responsibilities of
citizenship.
Specifically, IOLTA funds the Volunteer Lawyers Project, Maine's pro
bono initiative, with remaining funds allocated on a formula basis to the three
principal organizations providing civil legal services in Maine: Cumberland Legal Aid
Clinic, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, Legal Services for the Elderly, Maine Equal
Justice Partners and Pine Tree Legal Services. Historically, 20% of IOLTA has been
reserved for discretionary grants, issued to other organizations working to increase
access to justice for Maine people.
Attorney Participation
- Please refer to the IOLTA section for enrollment information.
Effective April 1, 2008, participation in
IOLTA is required for all attorneys who handle client funds, with an average of 950 accounts generating interest on a monthly basis.
Forty-four Maine financial institutions are currently participating in
IOLTA, 100% of those waive all fees on IOLTA accounts, helping to maximize the financial
return on their IOLTA accounts for clients in need.
In 1991, the Bar Foundation established its Fellows Program, which
generates funds designated to a permanent endowment that will ensure long-term stability
and support for legal services. As of 2010, the Foundation has inducted 404 members of the
legal community to the Fellows Program. Eligibility for this distinct honor is reserved
for those outstanding lawyers, judges, and teachers of law, licensed to practice in any
jurisdiction for at least ten years, who have demonstrated an "uncompromised
dedication to integrity and high personal and professional ethical standards; made
outstanding and recognized contributions to the legal profession and to the public good;
and demonstrated a strong commitment to the goals of the Maine Bar Foundation".
In 1997, the Fellows Program instituted the Fellows Project, to
identify and support a specific area of legal services. The Fellows Project Award
is made in January at the Fellows annual meeting.
Howard H. Dana, Jr. Award
In 1984, the Bar Foundation established its annual achievement award,
later named for Justice Howard H. Dana, Jr., a Bar Foundation's founder and dedicated
advocate for equal access to justice. The award is granted in recognition of an
individual's outstanding contributions to the development and implementation of private
bar projects which enhance civil legal assistance to the indigent, and for outstanding
service in the advancement of Bar Foundation's goals.
Law Day
On Law Day, May 1st, the Bar Foundation organizes and promotes public
education events to raise public awareness concerning access to justice and the legal
system in Maine. It also sponsors a State House ceremony to recognize those who
demonstrate outstanding commitment to public and pro bono legal service.
In all these ways, the Maine Bar
Foundation provides a vehicle to enable attorneys to put their professional commitments to
public service into action, and to help the law and the legal system better serve all
citizens of the State of Maine.
