The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) reports that the nonprofit programs funded by LSC to deliver civil legal assistance to low-income Americans are implementing layoffs and staff reductions because of budget constraints, based on a survey conducted by LSC.
According to the survey, LSC-funded programs anticipate laying off 393 employees, including 163 attorneys, in 2012. The reductions continue a staffing downturn that began about a year ago. In December 2010, LSC-funded programs employed 4,351 attorneys, 1,614 paralegals and 3,094 support staff. During 2011, LSC programs reduced their staffing by 833 positions through layoffs and attrition. They now anticipate a new round of layoffs this year, bringing the staffing loss to 1,226 full-time personnel.
The survey was conducted in late December and early January, and 132 of the 135 nonprofit legal aid programs funded by LSC responded. Eight of the regional programs of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, serving individuals and families in Pennsylvania, are among the programs receiving funding from the Legal Services Corporation.