Expanding access to civil legal services in Wisconsin. |  |
OUR MISSION
The Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation Inc. (WisTAF) is dedicated to equal access to the civil justice system, funding legal services for low-income persons through the fair and effective administration of Interest On Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA), Public Interest Legal Services Fund (PILSF), State of Wisconsin Low-Income Civil Legal Services Appropriation, and other sources.
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Grant funds administered by WisTAF currently come from two main sources: the Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program and the Public Interest Legal Services Fund (PILSF) program. The IOLTA and PILSF programs were established by the Wisconsin Supreme Court to make Wisconsin’s justice system accessible to all, regardless of income. The IOLTA program is supported by participating financial institutions across the state, while all practicing Wisconsin attorneys and judicial members support the PILSF program with an annual contribution.
For the first time in history, the Wisconsin legislature included $1,958,600 for low-income civil legal services, to be administered by WisTAF, in its 2007-2009 budget. This amount was increased to $2,546,100 million annually in its 2009-2011 budget in an attempt to help fill the void in state funding for civil legal services. In its 2011-2013 budget, however, state funding for civil legal services were eliminated.
While WisTAF's funding is significant, it falls short in addressing the justice gap that exists for Wisconsin’s low-income population. Wisconsin is now one of only four states in the nation that does not provide funding to help victims of domestic violence, people with disabilities, seniors and other vulnerable individuals and families gain access to civil legal assistance.
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A Prime Partner member of the Wisconsin IOLTA program since its inception in 2010, Alliance Bank (New Ulm) understands that stronger communities are good for business. Alliance Bank goes above and beyond IOLTA participation requirements by paying additional interest on its clients’ IOLTA accounts - helping to expand access to civil legal services in Wisconsin.
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