Fiscal year 2013 budget requests sent to Congress

Washington, DC—The White House today recommended $402 million in funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in Fiscal Year 2013, an increase of $54 million from current funding. more more

Impact of LSC funding cuts will be significant throughout the country

The impact of 2011 LSC funding cuts will be significant in Wisconsin and throughout the country according to recent survey of civil legal aid providers. More  more

Continued low interest rates could spell disaster for IOLTA

The U.S. Federal Reserve said Wednesday it will not raise interest rates until at least late 2014. Contingent on these interest rates, IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts) funds legal service organizations which provide invaluable services to low-income Wisconsinites dealing with disability claims, unfair landlords, benefits denials, and much more. more

Supreme Court denies "Civil Gideon" petition

From the Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission blog dated January 19, 2012: Today, the Wisconsin Supreme Court voted unanimously to deny Petition 10-08. The petitioners were requesting a new court rule that would have required circuit court judges to appoint attorneys at public expense for low income litigants in certain types of civil court cases. more

Welcome to our newest Prime Partner - HOME SAVINGS BANK

Welcome to our newest Prime Partner - HOME SAVINGS BANK. Thank you for supporting access to justice in Wisconsin by paying higher rates on IOLTA accounts. Find a Prime Partner bank near you. more

Commission appoints work group for Wisconsin civil right to counsel project

The Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission has appointed a special working group to develop a formal proposal for a study that would evaluate the costs and benefits of providing counsel to low income individuals in some civil legal matters where basic human needs are at stake.  Initial members of the working group are Commission members Gregg Moore, Don Friske, John Ebbott, Deedee Rongstad and  Judge Margaret Vergeront as well as the Director of State Courts, John Voelker. more

WisTAF Awards Nearly $1.3 Million to Support Civil Legal Services in 2012

Madison. November 4, 2011 – The Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation, Inc. (WisTAF) announced grant awards totaling nearly $1.3 million to agencies providing civil legal services for Wisconsin’s poor and underserved in 2012. more

DOJ Access to Justice Initiative Launches New Webpage Highlighting Funding Opportunities for Civil Legal Aid Programs and Others

The U.S. Dept. of Justice Web site now includes a “Grant Information” resource page that may be of interest to you. According to the Web site, the purpose of the page is “to identify open grants, training and technical assistance that may be of particular interest to defender agencies, courts, state, local and tribal jurisdictions, research and academic institutions, and non-profit organizations that are working to enhance legal assistance and related services for historically underserved populations. more

President Obama Signs Law Providing Full FDIC Protection for Lawyer Trust Accounts

Washington, D.C. - On December 29, President Obama signed into law H.R. 6398, a bill which continues full FDIC protection for Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA). In addition, the FDIC posted information on its Web site regarding the passage of the legislation by Congress and indicated that:   "The FDIC will issue guidance to all insured depository institutions providing information on Congress's action to include IOLTAs in the definition of noninterest-bearing transaction accounts. more

H.R. 6398 Continuing Full FDIC Protection for Lawyer Trust Accounts Now On Its Way to Becoming Law

Washington, D.C. - On December 22, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 6398, a bill which continues full FDIC protection for Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA). Since 2008, lawyer trust accounts have had unlimited coverage by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. This protection would otherwise have expired after Dec. more

Amended Supreme Court Rule Affects Insurance Requirements for Trust Accounts at Credit Unions

Lawyers must now hold funds in IOLTA accounts where each owner’s funds are eligible for the financial institution’s insurance coverage. The changes to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 20:1.15(e)(2) Insurance and safety requirements go into effect January 1, 2011. What does this mean for lawyers? more

The Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation, Inc. Awards Nearly $3.7 Million to Support Civil Legal Services in Wisconsin Funds Support Law-related Programs Throughout Wisconsin

Madison. October 21, 2010 – The Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation, Inc. (WisTAF) announced grant awards totaling nearly $3.7 million to agencies providing civil legal services for Wisconsin’s poor and underserved. more

NOW AVAILABLE - WisTAF 2012 Grant Application Materials

WisTAF's 2012 grant application materials for IOLTA Category I, IOLTA Category II, and PILSF funding (covering the period from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011) are now available. Completed applications (including the required additional reports and materials) must be submitted to WisTAF no later than Friday, August 5, 2011 by 5 p. more

FDIC Adopts Final Rule Extending TAG Program Through December 31, 2010

June 22, 2010 - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) adopted a final rule extending the Transaction Account Guarantee (TAG) program for six months, from July 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010. Under the TAG program, customers of participating insured depository institutions are provided full coverage on qualifying transaction accounts. more

New FDIC rule extends insurance coverage on IOLTA accounts until at least December 31, 2010

On April 13, 2010, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) approved interim rules extending the Transaction Account Guarantee (TAG) Program to December 31, 2010. The rule provides for unlimited insurance for non-interest bearing transaction accounts (including IOLTA and functionally equivalent accounts), regardless of dollar amount, held in participating financial institutions. The rule also allows for the FDIC to extend the program through December 31, 2011 if the FDIC determines that economic conditions warrant such an extension. more

Now available - List of IOLTA Participating Financial Institutions and Prime Partners

The Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation, Inc. (WisTAF) works closely with financial institutions to verify their status as "IOLTA participating financial institutions" in the Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA) Program and assist in aligning with the rule governing IOLTA accounts. more

FDIC rule extends unlimited protection for IOLTA accounts through June 30, 2010

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced in 2008 that client funds deposited in IOLTA accounts at participating financial intuitions are eligible for unlimited deposit insurance coverage under the Transaction Account Guarantee Program (TAGP). On September 1, 2009, the FDIC extended the TAGP from December 31, 2009 until June 30, 2010. more

November 20, 2009 DEADLINE for financial institutions to complete the IOLTA Interest Rate Comparability Information Form

Financial institutions wishing to continue or begin participation in the IOLTA program must complete and return the IOLTA Interest Rate Comparability Information Form by November 20, 2009. Implementation packets containing the following materials were mailed to Wisconsin's 250-plus IOLTA participating financial institutions at the end of October. more

Press releases

October 21, 2010 - WisTAF Announces 2011 Grant Awards more

NEW Wisconsin IOLTA Program Changes - Effective Jan. 1, 2010

On July 1, 2009, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued an order amending the trust account rule pertaining to IOLTA accounts, SCR 20:1.15, effective January 1, 2010. The changes to the rule relate primarily to interest requirements for IOLTA accounts, which are incorporated in a number of newly created sections. more

"Interest Rate Drop Has Dire Results for Legal Aid", New York Times

Recent New York Times article describes impact of recent economic crisis on legal aid nationwide: BOSTON — Scores of legal aid societies that help poor people with noncriminal cases — like disputes over foreclosures, evictions and eligibility for unemployment benefits — are being forced to cut their staffs and services, even as requests for help have soared. more

IOLTA accounts receive full FDIC insurance coverage

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced on November 21, 2008 that effective immediately, client funds deposited in IOLTA accounts at participating financial institutions are eligible for unlimited deposit insurance coverage as part of the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (TLGP). more