FOUNDATION RECOGNIZES FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FOR SUPPORT ACCESS TO JUSTICE

[PHOENIX, AZ] –The Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education will recognize the three financial institutions for their work in the community and support of access to justice. 

This year’s awardees are:

George Lyons Partnering IOLTA Financial Institution

Wells Fargo

Lyons Denn

BOK Financial

National Bank of Arizona

About the Lyons Awards

George Lyons was a true champion of the Arizona IOLTA Program. He believed in the partnership between the Arizona Bar Foundation and the banks and their joint responsibilities to the community. In honor of his work and dedication to the program, the Foundation has created The George Lyons IOLTA Partnering Bank Award.

In order to qualify as a nominee for the award:

1. The bank must be a current participant of the IOLTA program, meaning the Bank has a current, signed Participation Certification with the Foundation.
2. The bank must be current with their monthly (or quarterly) remittances and reporting.
3. The bank must be a 100% Bank, not keeping the allowed 10% fee, but donating the fees to the program for the benefit of the community.

All nominees will be notified of their having met the criteria and given the opportunity to submit an application to be chosen as the George Lyons IOLTA Partner Bank for that year. The Bar Foundation Finance committee will review the applications and make the recommendation to the Foundation Board for final approve.

The selection will be based upon the bank that has excelled in one or more of the following areas:

1. Supported a school or community group to further their efforts in civic education through monetary or volunteer involvement.
2. Supported a legal aid agency or law school clinic to further their efforts in providing legal assistance to those without the economic means to afford a private attorney.
3. Supported one of the Foundation events or programs during the year through monetary or volunteer involvement.
4. Supported another "access to justice" initiative that furthers the knowledge rights and responsibilities of Arizonans within the justice system.