For Immediate Release

	March 31, 2004 NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION EMPOWERMENT THROUGH LAW AND JUSTICE AGENDA ("ETLJA") Taskforce The Empowerment Through Law and Justice Agenda Task Force ("ETLJA") is a coalition-based national legal empowerment platform to address issues which have disproportionately affected our communities over the past several years, such as attacks on affirmative action and changes in the law which sanction increased police brutality and make it more difficult to prove race discrimination. Notably, the strategic nomination and appointment of right-wing conservatives to the federal judiciary have remarkably avoided adequate scrutiny because little planning has taken place to develop an independent institutional response from our community. The ETLJA was established by a Resolution passed by the NBA in 2000 to address these issues by implementing three significant programs, including the establishment of a National Judicial Accountability Center, a National Revolving Litigation Loan Fund, a National Educational Endowment, and a National Mentorship Program. The mission of the ETLJA is rooted in the belief that the economic and social conditions of African-Americans mandates a more visible, vocal and pragmatic voice from African-American legal organizations and attorneys to defend principles of justice and equity. The agenda is collaborative and implemented in conjunction with other national organizations. COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES The committee is comprised of members from each region of the NBA to satisfy the mandate that each region be adequately represented and to ensure that communication is easily fostered to members throughout their respective regions. Each committee member is responsible for establishing permanent contact with the Regional Director and Affiliate Representatives of local Chapters within their respective regions. Regional Directors and Affiliate Representatives shall be advised of the nature of the Resolution and of the ETLJA's functions. Four sub-committees administer each of the four programs outlined in the resolution, including a: National Judicial Accountability Center; National Revolving Litigation Loan Fund; National Educational Endowment; and a National Mentorship Program. Sub-committee chairs are responsible for developing, implementing and administering a plan to achieve resolution objectives. Task Force Committee Chairs shall be responsible for establishing permanent contact with existing national organizations charged with similar charters, such as those outlined in Para. 3 of the Resolution. SUB-COMMITTEES A. National Judicial Accountability Center - This Center is organized to monitor critical state and federal judicial nominations, appointments, and elections, and to monitor important cases as they are litigated and decided throughout the country. B. National Revolving Litigation Loan Fund. This Fund is distinct from the NAACP legal defense fund and the Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund. The fund shall raise not less than $1,000,000 to be administered on the local level for cases litigated by African-American lawyers to provide limited financial support of up to $25,000 to cases involving police brutality, commercial and employment discrimination in areas of race, sex, and national origin, consumer racism, and other forms of discrimination. A condition precedent to the receipt of such funds is request by the litigating attorney (in form of a lien) to immediately repay the fund with interest and a fee certain upon an award, settlement, or judgment. This fund shall also provide research and pleading support to NBA members based upon a fee arrangement. C. National Educational Endowment. This program will raise not less than $25,000,000 over a ten-year period, in order to offer scholarships and other financial assistance to deserving students who emulate principles of Houstonian jurisprudence. D. National Mentorship Program. This program will match African-American attorneys with African-American law students during their matriculation in law school, and will match African-American law students with aspiring college students. NATIONAL JUDICIAL ACCOUNTABILITY CENTER Sub-Committee This Center is organized to monitor critical state and federal judicial nominations, appointments, and elections, and to monitor important cases as they are litigated and decided throughout the country. A. Geographical Location 1. National Office - Temple Law Offices 1200 G Street, N.W., Suite 370 Washington, D.C. 20001 (202) 628-1101 Executive - Dahlia Hayles - DEHKConsulting@cox.net 2. Field Offices: a. Durham Office - Kaye Webb b. Atlanta Office - Rodney Moore c. Houston Office - Melanie Miles mmiles@mmfamlaw.com d. New York Office e. Oakland Office - Demetrius Shelton DDShelton@oaklandcityattorney.org f. Detroit Office - g. Denver Office - B. Responsibility - The National Office and Field Offices are each manned by an office manager who are responsible for disseminating legislative, executive and judicial decisions, nominations, appointments, elections, and legal actions which affect the constituency. NATIONAL LITIGATION PLAN Sub-Committee The National Revolving Litigation Loan Fund is set at a base level of $1,000,000 to finance cases litigated by African-Americans lawyers who are solo practitioners or practicing in small firms. The fund provides limited financial support of up to $25,000 for cases involving police brutality, commercial and employment discrimination, consumer racism and other forms of discrimination, and for litigation that will ensure the admission and successful matriculation of African-American students in schools of higher education. The Fund also finances research and pleading support for those practitioners in such cases. NATIONAL MENTORSHIP PROGRAM Sub-Committee The National Mentorship Program is designed to match African-American attorneys with African-American law students during their matriculation in law school, and to match African-American law students with aspiring college students. Donations may be made to the National Bar Association or National Bar Institute and earmarked for the ETLJA (NMP). NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ENDOWMENT Sub-Committee The National Educational Endowment is set at a base level of $25,000,000 in contributions to offer scholarships and other financial assistance to deserving students who emulate principles of Houstonian jurisprudence. Donations may be made to the National Bar Association or National Bar Institute and earmarked for the ETLJA (NEE).