PUBLIC LAW 97-377—DEC. 21, 1982 to be an alien described in subparagraph (C) of such section: Provided further, That none of the funds appropriated in this Act for the Legal Services Corporation shall be used by the Corporation in making grants or entering into contracts for legal assistance unless the Corporation insures that the recipient is either (a) a private attorney or attorneys (for the sole purpose of furnishing legal assistance to eligible clients) or (b) a qualified nonprofit organization chartered under the laws of one of the States for the primary purpose of furnishing legal assistance to eligible clients, the majority of the board of directors or other governing body of which organization is comprised of attorneys who are admitted to practice in one of the States and who are appointed to terms of office on such board or body by the governing bodies of State, county, or municipal bar associations the membership of which represents a majority of the attorneys practicing law in the locality in which the organization is to provide legal assistance: Provided further, That none of the funds appropriated in this Act shall be expended by the Legal Services Corporation to participate in litigation unless the Corporation or a recipient of the Corporation is a party, or a recipient is representing an eligible client in litigation in which the interpretation of this title or a regulation promulgated under this title is an issue, and shall not participate on behalf of any client other than itself: Provided further. That none of the funds appropriated in this Act shall be available to any recipient to be used— (A) to pay for any personal service, advertisement, telegram, telephone communication, letter, printed or written matter, or other device, intended or designed to influence any decision by a Federal, State, or local agency, except where legal assistance is provided by an employee of a recipient to an eligible client on a particular application, claim, or case, which directly involves the client's legal rights and responsibilities, or (B) to influence any Member of Congress or any other Federal, State, or local elected official to favor or oppose any Acts, bills, resolutions, or similar legislation, or any referendum, initiative, constitutional amendment, or any similar procedure of the Congress, any State legislature, any local council, or any similar governing body, except that this subsection shall not preclude such funds from being used in connection with communications made in response to any Federal, State, or local official, upon the formal request of such official: Provided further, That none of the funds appropriated in this Act for the Legal Services Corporation shall be used to bring a class action suit against the Federal government or any State or local government unless (1) the project director of a recipient has expressly approved the filing of such an action in accordance with policies established by the governing body of such recipient; (2) the class relief which is the subject of such an action is sought for the primary benefit of individuals who are eligible for legal assistance; and (3) that prior to filing such an action, the recipient project director has determined that the government entity is not likely to change the policy or practice in question, that the policy or practice will continue to adversely affect eligible clients, that the recipient has given notice of its intention to seek class relief and that responsible efforts to resolve without litigation the adverse effects of the policy or practice have not been successful or would be adverse to the interests of the clients: Provided further. That none of the funds
97-200 O—84—pt. 2
17: QL3
96 STAT. 1875
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