Local Mainers Honored At Muskie Dinner
On May 27th, the Muskie Fund For Legal Services held their 14th annual Access to Justice Award Dinner. This year’s dinner honored Charlie and Ellie Miller for their commitment to strengthening Maine’s civil justice system.
Founded in 1995, The Muskie Fund For Legal Services celebrates the commitment of those who work for an access to justice for all Maine residents. Named after Maine Senator Edmund S. Muskie, the nonprofit organization raises money to support legal services throughout the state and carries on the efforts of the late senator, who worked tirelessly on behalf of poor, elderly, and disadvantaged Maine residents.
In 1988, Senator Muskie was called into action to serve as Chair of a newly formed Maine Commission on Legal Needs. During the following year he presided over public hearings designed to give poor Mainers a chance to voice their legal problems. Many were found to be frustrated by the lack of access to representation due to financial problems. In 1990, Senator Muskie reported his findings alongside Governor John McKernan and Chief Justice Vincent McKusick. For the remainder of his life he worked to improve the situation.
Money raised by the Muskie Fund supports six non-profit legal services providers which assist Maine's low-income and elderly residents. The lives they touch are who make our state special.
- Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic
- Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project
- Legal Services for the Elderly
- Maine Equal Justice Partners
- Pine Tree Legal Assistance
- Volunteer Lawyers Project
The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein would like to extend a warm and heartfelt congratulations to our colleagues, Charlie and Ellie Miller. It is through their commitment to helping those in need that makes them worthy of their award and an inspiration to us all. May their hard work and dedication to justice throughout the state of Maine continue, and may the access to justice they help create give all Mainers equal rights.
For more information on the Muskie Fund For Legal Services and their annual Access to Justice Award Dinner, please visit: www.muskiefund.org.
