The National Center for Access to Justice at Fordham Law School (NCAJ) provides guidance to justice system stakeholders in New York City, New York State, and across the country on the value of outcomes data in deepening understanding of civil legal aid.
Legal Aid Attorneys
Study Group on Immigrant Representation: The First Decade
In this transcript of a speech, Robert A. Katzmann, Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Court, calls out the “deficient representation” of immigrants in the courts. He calls for competent counsel in deportation proceedings.
Securing Equal Justice for All: A Brief History of Civil Legal Aid Assistance in the United States
By: Alan W. Houseman and Linda E. Perle. Published by the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP). Published in May 2018. Link to article Link to PDF Houseman & Perle begin their article with a discussion of the early… Read More ›
Race-Based Advocacy: The Role and Responsibility of LSC-Funded Programs
In this article, researchers at the Center for Law and Social Policy examine how LSC-funded programs may engage in race-based advocacy. They highlight examples of how programs have pursued race-based advocacy within the confines of LSC restrictions.
The Economic Impact and Social Return on Investment of Civil Legal Aid Services in the State of Louisiana
This social return on investment study finds that the immediate net direct value of services to be approximately $34.3 million and the long-term net consequential value to be $59.7 million. Overall, they find that for every $1 invested in legal aid in Louisiana, Louisiana received an immediate $8.73 immediate and long-term financial benefits.
Economic Impacts of Civil Legal Aid Organizations in Virginia: Civil Justice for Low-Income People Produces Ripple Effects That Benefit Every Segment of the Community
In FY 2009-10, civil legal aid provided, in a conservative estimate, a total quantifiable economic impact of $139 million, a return of $5.27 for every dollar invested legal aid programs from all sources.
Legal Problems and the Poor
The national survey found that there is a disproportionate percentage of individuals who experience legal problems — 10 percent of people who experienced at least one legal problem experienced one-third of all legal problems. They also find that low-income people were more likely to experience legal problems.
Legal Deserts: A Multi-State Perspective on Rural Access to Justice
The researchers surveys rural populations in six states — California, Georgia, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maine, and South Dakota — to provide insights on the rural challenges confronting each of these states, the legal resources available, and existing policy responses.
Increasing Access to Restraining Orders for Low-Income Victims of Domestic Violence: A Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Proposed Domestic Abuse Grant Program
This report evaluates the benefits and costs of expanding the Domestic Abuse Grant Program (DAGP) to improve access to legal aid for women seeking restraining orders. Overall, the research team estimated that the net benefit from enacting the DAGP expansion would be $9,840,500.
An Analysis of Rules that Enable Lawyers to Serve Self-Represented Litigants
This ABA analysis provides an overview the the rules authorizing limited scope representation, rules clarifying communications between counsel and parties, rules creating parameters for the lawyer’s role in document preparation, and rules governing the entry of appearances and withdrawals in court.
Legal Aid Research 