The randomized evaluation found that the offers of representation from the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau (HLAB) clinic had no statistically significant effect on the probability that an unemployment claimant would prevail in the “appeal”.
Legal Aid Attorneys
The Impact of Legal Counsel on Outcomes for Poor Tenants in New York City’s Housing Court: Results of a Randomized Experiment
Tenants with pro bono representation from the program did significantly better than tenants that did not have representation. Representation did not significantly impair the court system’s efficiency.
Effects of an Interdisciplinary Approach to Parental Representation in Child Welfare
Researchers analyzed the impact of interdisciplinary representation (i.e., having a legal team which incorporates other professionals for parents in child welfare proceedings. They found that when parents received interdisciplinary representation, children spent an average of 118 fewer days in foster care during the four years following the abuse or neglect case filing. Children whose parents received interdisciplinary representation achieved overall permanency, reunification, and guardianship more quickly.
The Justice Gap in Montana: As Vast as Big Sky Country
Montana Access to Justice Commission evaluates the unmet legal needs of low and moderate income residents, overviews the various existing providers of legal aid services, and describes the gaps in assistance in Montana.
Legal Needs of Low Income Households in Montana
This report analyzes the data from the 2004 Montana Legal Needs Study and responses from over 850 interviewees who are lower income regarding their legal needs and their experiences with civil legal services and the legal system.
Defusing Debt: A Survey of Debt-Related Civil Legal Aid Programs in the United States
In order to better understand the work that civil legal aid programs are doing to serve some of the nation’s consumers, the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) developed this survey to gather data about what kind of representation organizations provided to clients who are being contacted or sued by debt collectors, debt buyers, or creditors. Sixty-four civil legal aid organizations completed the comprehensive survey.
Aging, Women and Poverty in California: We Must Do More
In 2016, the CA Commission on Aging joined with the California Women’s Law Center and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls to host the first statewide convening focused on older women in poverty through the lenses of retirement options, elder justice, food insecurity, and health access. This article provides evidence that the relationship between legal services and Adult Protective Services (APS) and the Long Term Care Ombudsman should be strengthened in order to expand and improve elder justice resources.
Economic Impacts of Civil Legal Aid Organizations Funded in Part by the Florida Bar Foundation
This report by the Florida Bar Foundation provides quantifiable evidence to support the economic argument for civil legal aid. Data collected from the work of 33 organization in Florida indicates that providing pro bono service to low-income individuals results in substantial social and economic returns.
Economic Impact of Civil Legal Aid Services in Maine
This report details the economic and social benefits driven by civil legal services in Maine in 2015. The report finds one-to-one civil legal aid assistance involving a variety of issues generated approximately $37 million in 2015 for the state.
Legislating Forgiveness: A Study of Post-Conviction Certificates as Policy to Address the Employment Consequences of a Conviction
A criminal record poses a variety of challenges to becoming a productive, law-abiding member of society. Certificates restoring eligibility for employment and certain licenses possess the potential to help individuals with a criminal record overcome such obstacles to achieve successful reentry. This study indicates that while the value of these documents often goes unrecognized by courts and employers, evidence suggests that legal aid providers can act as powerful advocates for expanding access to and successful implementation of certificates, ultimately facilitating stable employment.
Legal Aid Research 