Cy pres awards are residual funds from a class action lawsuit that are unclaimed or cannot be distributed to the intended recipients. Under the cy pres doctrine, courts can distribute these funds to charitable causes that are seen as the next best recipient of the funds. A class action gives a voice in court to those who might not otherwise have the protections of the legal system. The ATJ Campaign is an ideal recipient of cy pres funds, as civil legal aid echoes the voice of low-income people and families who would not otherwise have access to justice.

For more information about cy pres awards and other awards of residual funds, or if you have directed a cy pres award to the ATJ Campaign, please contact Laura Musachio at laura@msbf.org or (517) 346-6405.