After A Class Action Award,

SHOW CLASS WITH A CY PRES AWARD FOR DADE LEGAL AID

What is Cy Pres? 

The Cy Pres doctrine (from the Norman French term “Cy Pres comme possible”, meaning as near as possible) is a court-approved method of distributing a damage fund when the original purpose cannot be achieved. In class action lawsuits, after payment of class members’ claims, or when the amount of damages to each class member is too small to warrant distribution,  there is often a residual amount that judges and class counsel can recommend be applied to the “next best” use.

Making the Case for Dade Legal Aid

Dade Legal Aid protects the rights of the elderly, children, the working poor, domestic violence victims and other vulnerable populations.  Our clients are low-income individuals who are often victims of unlawful, unfair, deceptive, discriminatory or predatory consumer practices.  There is a tremendous unmet need for legal services here in Miami-Dade County and Dade Legal Aid is continually challenged to find additional resources to help those in our community who have nowhere else to turn.   Because DLA seeks to remedy harms similar to those litigated in class action lawsuits, the designation of Cy Pres funds to Dade Legal Aid is one way to help meet the need for our programs and services which include:

• Child & Youth Advocacy
• Bankruptcy and Consumer Law
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program (legal services for the deaf population)
• Domestic Violence
• Family Law  (custody, child support, paternity)
• Foreclosure Defense & Home Preservation
• Guardian Ad Litem
• Guardianship and Probate
• Landlord/Tenant
• Non-profit Agencies

Our award-winning “Put Something Back” Pro Bono Project matches private pro bono attorneys with clients or non-profit agencies seeking civil legal assistance in these areas.

DLA MAKES CY PRES SIMPLE

DLA acknowledges the effort that goes into preparing Cy Pres Awards.  To make it simple for attorneys and judges to include DLA in settlement agreements, DLA can provide:

• Sample orders approving DLA as Cy Pres recipient.
• Sample projects that the Cy Pres awards might fund.
• Accessibility to senior staff to meet with counsel or provide testimony at fairness hearings.
• Accounting for use of earmarked funds at the end of the award period, if desired.
  

With your help, Dade Legal Aid will continue to provide

 ”A Wealth of Justice for Those WHO HAVE NEITHER.”

For More Information on Designating Cy Pres Funds To DLA Please Contact:

Sharon Langer, Executive Director, Slanger@dadelegalaid.org