UPDATE | By the Texas Access to Justice Foundation
The Texas Access to Justice Foundation (TAJF) announced a new campaign to benefit the Joe Jamail Endowment for Veteran Legal Services, an endowment fund to ensure that Texas veterans have fair and equitable access to the justice system. The “Remembering Our Heroes” campaign aims to recognize veterans and active duty military personnel by allowing contributors to make a donation to the endowment in their name. As a result of their donation, the Foundation will honor these service members through a series of events leading up to and surrounding Veterans Day.
Named in honor of Texas attorney Joe Jamail, a legend among the legal community and well-known for his philanthropic efforts, the Joe Jamail Endowment for Veteran Legal Services ensures that Texas veterans have access to the free legal help they need to successfully integrate back into civilian life and secure the rights and benefits for which they risked their lives. “Remembering Our Heroes” allows individuals to make donations to the endowment in honor of an individual, living or deceased, who has served or is currently serving in the U.S. military.
“This campaign expands the endowment’s mission to continue the legacy of legal legend Joe Jamail by honoring the legacies of other veterans and providing funding for free legal assistance to those who have fought for our freedom,” Terry Tottenham, chair of the endowment committee of the TAJF board of directors, said.
Texas has the second-highest population of veterans in the nation. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, legal issues account for five of the top 10 unmet needs of homeless veterans. Obtaining access to free legal services can be critical for veterans to get the benefits and support they need for themselves and their families.
TAJF currently provides funding to 14 nonprofit organizations throughout the state that provide free legal services to low-income veterans with civil legal matters including the denial of critical medical care, legal issues related to disabilities, family law matters, the denial of benefits and other issues that may arise due to a veteran’s absence from home during military service. Every year, these organizations provide free legal services to more than 8,000 Texas veterans.
The endowment was created by Houston attorney Richard Mithoff, a protégé of Jamail, to honor Jamail’s vision of access to justice for all.
According to Mithoff, “The endowment honors Joe's commitment to access to justice and to our veterans. But he wasn’t alone in that cause. Remembering Our Heroes will honor the continued legacy of all veterans.” To contribute to the Endowment, visit: Joe Jamail Endowment for Veteran Legal Services.
