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Cohen Receives Prestigious Award from Memphis Area Legal Services

October 15, 2010

MEMPHIS, TN – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) was given the prestigious Tennessee Equal Justice 2010 Legislative Leadership Award by Memphis Area Legal Services for his work to increase funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) and for working to address racial and ethnic disparities in the federal criminal justice system.

“Memphis Area Legal Services has helped thousands of people over the years,” said Congressman Cohen. “Whether you’re facing domestic violence, mortgage foreclosure or predatory lending, Memphis Area Legal Services is there when you need help. It is vital that we work to ensure that those who need a lawyer get the legal representation they deserve. I am honored to receive such a prestigious award.”

MALS is the primary provider of civil legal representation to low income families in western Tennessee. MALS helps individuals and families facing critical, sometimes life-threatening situations such as:

  • Domestic violence;
  • Mortgage foreclosure, eviction or homelessness;
  • Wrongful denial of health care, food stamps, unemployment compensation and other assistance;
  • Consumer fraud or predatory lending; and
  • Special challenges of children and the elderly.

As Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, Congressman Cohen has worked to reauthorize the Legal Services Corporation Act. LSC was established by Congress in 1974 to promote equal access to justice and provide grants for civil legal assistance to low-income families, but the Act has not been reauthorized since 1977. Congressman Cohen is also known for authoring the Justice Integrity Act to address racial and ethnic disparities in the federal criminal justice system by establishing advisory panels to study the problem and recommend solutions.

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