The Legal Foundation of Washington will present the 2006 Charles A. Goldmark Distinguished Service Award to the Washington Supreme Court at the 20th Annual Goldmark Award Luncheon. The luncheon will be held Friday, Feb. 17, 2006, at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center in Seattle from noon to 1:30 p.m.

As a result of the court's establishment of IOLTA, the Legal Foundation has distributed more than $81 million for legal aid to the poor since 1985. Owing to the determined support of its justices, by way of their editorials, testimony at legislative hearings, speeches at public awareness events, appearances before congressional delegations and the creation and direction of the Task Force on Civil Equal Justice Funding, the Washington Supreme Court has, through vision, leadership and creativity, provided meaningful access to our civil justice system for our state's most vulnerable and needy residents.

The Goldmark Award honors the memory of Charles A. Goldmark, Seattle attorney, community leader and ardent supporter of access to justice. Goldmark served as the Legal Foundation's president at the time of the tragic assault that led to his death in 1986. The program will include remarks from Goldmark's brother, Peter Goldmark, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of this award. The public is invited to attend the luncheon where the Legal Foundation pays tribute to all of the volunteer lawyers and legal aid providers in our state.

You may visit the Legal Foundation's web site at http://www.legalfoundation.org for more information about the Goldmark Award and the IOLTA program.