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Connecticut Legal Services, Inc. (“CLS”) celebrates 30 years of dedicated service to low-income Connecticut residents with urgent life needs. CLS was founded in 1977 as a result of a merger of six legal services agencies. CLS serves 122 communities throughout the state not including areas of Hartford and New Haven counties containing 146,000 poor and 208,000 near poor people who are financially eligible for its services. Since its inception, CLS has provided high-quality legal assistance to more than 150,000 clients, and it continues to open an average of 5,000 cases each year. “CLS has been and continues to be a vital resource for low-income people who have legal problems, many of which create life crises,” says executive director Steven D. Eppler-Epstein. “The services we provide often make it possible for people to resolve these problems and overcome barriers to stability.” CLS will celebrate its three decade milestone with a reception at the Elks Lodge in Middletown, CT on October 4, 2007. Joining in the festivities will be Chief Justice Chase Rogers who will be the evening’s keynote speaker. The evening will highlight CLS’ accomplishments during the past 30 years and will honor the commitment and hard work of hundreds of staff members and volunteers who have advocated on behalf of Connecticut’s poor. Among those honored will be Rev. Juan Paniagua and Attorney Peter Goselin for their advocacy on behalf of immigrant day laborers and their support and assistance in the development of CLS’ Day Laborer Clinic; Attorney Timothy Fisher for his leadership in planning the long-term improvement of the Connecticut network of legal services to the poor; Attorney Diane Fitzgerald for her wise counsel and skilled guidance to CLS; and, Attorneys Michael Clear, David Kesner, Leonard Leader and the law firm of Wiggin & Dana for their commitment and service on behalf of six young adults with severe mental health problems and their assistance in the settlement of W.R. v. Dunbar. “Connecticut Legal Services is committed to providing access
to justice as a means of improving the lives of low-income people” says
Eppler-Epstein, adding “All of the community leaders that we
honor this year have gone above and beyond the call of duty to assist
us in our mission.”
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