Panel on Meeting the Civil Legal Aids Needs of Low-Income Veterans

Idaho Chief Justice Roger S. Burdick and leaders from the business and legal communities will gather on Friday, July 27, to discuss ways of expanding access to justice for low-income Americans. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is hosting the event in conjunction with its Board of Directors’ quarterly meeting.

Chief Justice Burdock will deliver opening remarks. He will be joined by Concordia University School of Law Dean Elena B. Langan, LSC Board Chair John G. Levi, and James D. Ruchti, President of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association.

Two panels on issues relating to access to justice will follow these remarks. The first, “Meeting the Civil Legal Needs of Low-Income Veterans,” will explore legal aid’s importance to service members and their families. The panelists are: Lora Rainey Breen, Idaho Legal Aid Services Board of Directors Member and Colonel, Idaho Army National Guard, Judge Advocate General’s Corps; Jim Cook, Executive Director, Idaho Legal Aid Services; and Major Stephen A. Stokes, Attorney Advisor to the Adjutant General, Idaho Army National Guard. LSC President James J. Sandman will moderate.

The second panel, “The Role of Corporate Counsel in Expanding Access to Justice,” will feature corporate counsel from leading American companies discussing legal aid’s role in supporting pro bono efforts and how a fair and accessible justice system benefits the business community. The panelists are David A. Heiner, Strategic Policy Advisor, Microsoft Corporation; Joel L. Poppen, Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Micron Technology, Inc.; Salle Yoo, Former Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Uber Technologies, Inc.; and David A. Zapolsky, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Amazon.com, Inc. LSC Board Member Robert J. Grey, Jr. will serve as moderator. 

The event will be held 9 to 11 a.m. at the Idaho State Capitol Building, 700 W. Jefferson Street. Members of the media are invited to attend.