The Ingenious New Plan to Fund Public Interest Efforts

January 20, 2017

In his January 6, 2017, column for Above the Law, O’Melveny counsel David Lash writes about the IOLTA (Interest On Lawyers’ Trust Accounts) program, which brought hundreds of millions of dollars to civil legal organizations that provide free legal services to the elderly, indigent, and disabled. 

“Now, an additionally magical gift, equally as compassionate, is poised to save as many lives as has the IOLTA dream. In Massachusetts and Ohio, several banks have launched programs where law firms can choose to donate to IOLTA programs some or all of the ‘cash back’ benefits generated by millions of dollars of credit card transactions,” Lash writes in the article.

Lash is the Managing Counsel for Pro Bono and Public Interest Services, overseeing the firm’s national and international pro bono program. He resides in the firm’s Los Angeles office.