Legal Services Corporation

White House Forum on the State of Civil Legal Assistance

by Sam Milkes on the PLAN blog

On April 17, 2012, the White House hosted a forum on the current state of Civil Legal Assistance in the United States. The forum, which was co-hosted by the Legal Services Corporation, looked at the critical role of civil legal assistance for the poor in fulfilling the promise of “justice for all,”’ and in maintaining America’s commitment to the rule of law, two nonpartisan issues that are fundamental to our way of life.

More than 200 national leaders attended the forum, which featured addresses from President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder. President Obama said that making civil legal assistance available to low-income Americans is “central to our notion of equal justice under the law,” and pledged to be a “fierce defender and advocate” for legal services.

Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court was in attendance as one of five state court chief justices invited to attend the forum.

Addressing the Justice Gap in America

On August 23 the New York Times published an editorial entitled, Addressing the Justice Gap on its website.

This editorial discusses the current situation in America where experts estimate that four-fifths of low-income people have no access to a lawyer when they need one. This coupled with research showing that litigants representing themselves often fare less well than those with lawyers, creates a "justice gap" that falls heavily on the poor.

House Proposal Would Cut Civil Legal Aid by $104 Million

Funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) would be cut by 26 percent in Fiscal Year 2012 under a proposal announced by the House Appropriations Committee on July 6. The Committee bill proposes a $300 million budget for LSC—rolling back LSC funding to a level not seen since 1999.

Basic field grants, which are currently provided to 136 nonprofit civil legal aid programs across the nation, would be cut to $274.4 million, a 27.5 percent reduction from current funding of $378.6 million.

LSC’s preliminary estimates show that about 235,000 low-income Americans eligible for civil legal assistance at LSC-funded programs would be turned away if the Committee proposal were enacted.

Reminder: Deadline to Request Free HotDocs Licenses is August 31

The deadline to request free HotDocs licenses is fast approaching: August 31, 2010.

LSC programs that were participants in the previous HotDocs software donation program, as well as other eligible organizations developing online assembly templates in conjunction with Pro Bono Net's Law Help Interactive program, are eligible for free copies of HotDocs Developer 10 and HotDocs User 10 but must apply for them by August 31, 2010.

These product licenses will never expire or require reapplication, but to obtain these licenses you must apply before the deadline.

House Passes Funding for LSC After Turning Back Amendments

The U.S. House of Representatives approved funding legislation on May 10, 2012 that provides $328 million for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in Fiscal Year 2013, after turning back two amendments that would have further cut or eliminated funding for the Corporation.

LSC funding was approximately $404 million in Fiscal Year 2011 before falling to $348 million in Fiscal Year 2012--the lowest funding ever, in inflation-adjusted dollars.

Most of LSC’s funding is used to support local nonprofit organizations via grants for the delivery of civil legal assistance to low-income Americans.

House Appropriations Committee Approves Bill Providing $328 Million for LSC

The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee approved funding legislation on April 26, 2012 that provides $328 million for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in Fiscal Year 2013, a cut of $20 million from current levels.

House Appropriations Subcommittee Approves Bill Providing $328 Million for LSC

The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) marked up funding legislation on April 19, 2012 that provides $328 million for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in Fiscal Year 2013.

Most of LSC’s funding is used to support local nonprofit organizations via grants for the delivery of civil legal assistance to low-income Americans. LSC funding was approximately $404 million in Fiscal Year 2011 before falling to $348 million in Fiscal Year 2012.

Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Approves Bill Providing $402 Million for LSC

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) on Tuesday approved funding legislation that provides $402 million for the Legal Services Corporation, a $54 million increase from current levels.

Most of the funding would provide grants to nonprofit legal aid programs to deliver civil legal assistance to low-income Americans who request help to avert foreclosures, escape domestic violence, deal with consumer fraud and appeal denial of veterans’ benefits, as well as other critical matters.

Language Access and LSC's TIG Program: Legal Aid and Court Collaborations

On Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. (EDT), The Legal Services Corporation will host an online webinar entitled, Language Access and LSC’s TIG Program: Legal Aid and Court Collaborations.

The goal of the webinar is to raise awareness about language access issues and to encourage LSC grantees and other stakeholders in the legal community to consider collaborations and the use of technology to improve access to justice for people who are limited English proficient. LSC will highlight three TIG-funded projects that are engaging in this work.

LSC's Promotion & Provision for the Delivery of Legal Services Committee to Meet

The Legal Services Corporation's Promotion & Provision for the Delivery of Legal Services Committee will meet March 9, 2012 at the F.William McCalpin Conference Center, Legal Services Corporation Headquarters Building, 3333 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007. The meeting will commence at 12 p.m., Eastern, and will continue until the conclusion of the Committee's agenda.

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