Arizona Attorney Greg Garcia wears many hats, and sometimes all in one day.  He is an attorney at Polsinelli Shughart, P.C. one of Arizona’s 25 largest law firms, sits on numerous committees and boards, has authored publications about biotech law and genetic testing, and is a member of many local  bar associations and law related committees.  But the thing Garcia values most is the difference he makes as a result of his involvement with Community Legal Services (CLS).  “Serving on the Board of Directors at CLS has been one of the more rewarding endeavors of my career,” Garcia notes.

At CLS’ Annual Meeting held May 11, 2011, Greg Garcia was elected President of the Board of Directors of CLS – Arizona’s largest, civil legal aid program.  Garcia follows in the footsteps of many prominent attorneys including former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and J. Early Craig, an organizer of the State Bar of Arizona, contributor to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and a founder of the former Maricopa County Legal Aid Society, now Community Legal Services.

Since 1952, CLS has been the law firm of last resort for Arizona residents with civil legal problems, but who are unable financially to retain a private attorney.  Legal aid programs like CLS fill that gap by providing on-staff attorneys at no charge to those who qualify for services, and have legal problems threatening their personal safety (domestic violence), their housing (illegal evictions, landlord/tenant problems), their already limited incomes (fraudulent consumer practices) and other critical, civil legal problems.  CLS also supports the Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP), which provides additional pro bono legal services through the volunteer efforts of hundreds of lawyers.

As a promoter of free and equal access to the justice system within our community, CLS pursues aggressive advocacy as the cornerstone of our work on behalf of the disenfranchised.  CLS prides itself on its leadership in meeting the challenge of equal justice for all.

For more information on Community Legal Services or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, please visit our website at www.clsaz.org.

With more than 530 attorneys, Polsinelli Shughart, P.C. (www.polsinelli.com) is a national law firm that is a recognized leader in the areas of business law, financial services, real estate and business litigation.