Wyoming State Bar Foundation Consolidates With Equal Justice Wyoming Foundation

The Board of Directors for the Wyoming State Bar Foundation (“WSBF”) is pleased to announce that the WSBF is consolidating with the Equal Justice Wyoming Foundation (“EJWF”). As a part of this process, the WSBF will be passing the baton to EJWF, and EJWF will be administering Wyoming’s IOLTA program, as well as carrying on all other functions of the WSBF for the benefit of the citizens of Wyoming. This opportunity provides for consolidation of resources and efforts of the two organizations to meet their similar missions. The Board of Directors of the WSBF has confidence in the EJWF and its commitment to effectively administer its current programs, as well as the additional tasks taken on as part of this consolidation.

Interest earned on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) is a unique and innovative way to increase access to justice for individuals and families living in poverty and to improve our justice system. Without taxing the public, and at no cost to lawyers or their clients, interest from lawyer trust accounts is used to: provide civil legal services to those who would otherwise be unable to obtain legal assistance; provide public education projects which promote a knowledge and awareness of the law; and support projects which improve the administration of justice.

Remember, if you hold client funds, you must have a trust account; however, you can choose whether or not it is an IOLTA account. Leaders from both organizations strongly encourage all Wyoming lawyers who have trust accounts to participate in the IOLTA program and make a difference in the effort to help fund civil legal aid for the less fortunate citizens of Wyoming. This program truly matters and makes a real difference in the lives of so many.

The WSBF was established as a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation in 1981 to 1) provide civil legal services to the poor of Wyoming, who would otherwise be unable to obtain legal assistance; 2) provide public education projects which promote a knowledge and awareness of the law; and 3) provide projects which improve the administration of justice.  Since its inception in 1989, the WSBF has administered the IOLTA program for the benefit of many individuals in Wyoming.

Since 1989, the WSBF has awarded over $1,000,000 in grants to agencies and programs in Wyoming which are dedicated to the above goals. The WSBF’s funding has historically come from private contributions, membership dues and through the IOLTA program. As a part of this consolidation, the WSBF will be working to wind up its operations and transfer the same to EJWF.  More information will be released soon regarding the details, and all the functions of the WSBF will be continued by the EJWF.

Those with questions about the IOLTA program should contact the EJWF at (307) 777-8383.

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