Law Day Race, Walk Scheduled Sunday

Ventura County’s lawyers will showcase their sweatier side Sunday at the 15th annual Law Day 5K Race/Walk to benefit local organizations that provide legal help to low-income individuals and families.

Organizer Steve Henderson said the race, which will begin at the Ventura County Government Center in Ventura, shows the community a different side of the legal profession.

“It shows that not only are lawyers involved with the community, they also put their money where their mouth is,” Henderson said.

More than 60 law offices are underwriting the cost of the race.

Registration fees will support organizations such as Channel Counties Legal Services and free legal clinics in the Conejo Valley and Simi Valley.

Nearly 200 people--half of those legal professionals--ran or walked in last year’s event.

In addition to funding legal assistance programs, the race is intended to promote “mingling between the legal community and the public,” Henderson said.

Race publicist Beverly Benton said the race/walk format also is intended to draw people of all skills and ages. “It’s a good family day for everyone,” she said.

But the focus of the event is support for legal assistance programs.

“There are more clients than there are lawyers to help,” said David Shain, a Ventura lawyer who heads the county bar association’s pro bono program. “We are trying to plug some holes and provide some alternatives.”

The problem goes to the core of what justice is available for low-income people, Shain said.

“A person who doesn’t have an attorney or doesn’t have access to an attorney will not get the same kind of justice that a person who has access to an attorney will get,” he said.

The race will begin at 9 a.m. Those interested in registering can call 650-7599.

The preregistration cost is $10, and registration the day of the run will be $15.