The Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law acquired
Boston-based Center for Legal Aid Education (CLAE) on Sept. 30. The
Shriver Center said the move will enable it to provide broader and
deeper support to equal justice lawyers and advocates working on
behalf of low-income people.
"By acquiring CLAE, we greatly enhance our ability to train,
support and collaborate with frontline legal aid lawyers working
for justice in
disenfranchised communities throughout the
country," said Shriver Center
President John Bouman.
The Shriver Center develops and advances federal, state and
local laws and policies to create a more just and equitable
society. It also serves as a communications hub and leader for the
legal aid community nationally. CLAE provides timely continuing
legal education that responds to the legal aid community's
distinctive mission and practice. Since 2006, it has provided
training and leadership development programs to more than 2,100
advocates in 40 states.
The Shriver Center said the timing is particularly important
given the ongoing economic downturn, which has placed financial
pressure on legal aid program budgets at a time of growing demand
for their services.
"Joining the Shriver Center will enable us to use our resources
more effectively and eliminate significant operational
redundancies, so that we can expand access to our programs while
keeping them affordable," said Ellen Hemley, who was CLAE's
executive director and now joins the Shriver Center's senior
management team as vice president of training programs. She will
oversee national training and leadership development programs in
the Shriver Center's Boston office