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Law students giving back
For the last two years, Pro Bono Spring Break harnessed the energy of student lawyers to support legal aid offices in underserved areas of the state. The gain for these students is two-fold: the satisfaction of helping low-income Texans in need of legal assistance and the hands-on experience that turns student lawyers into working attorneys. More »
Texas Chief Justice Presses Lawmakers on Legal Aid for Veterans
"For the past six years, at the judiciary's urging, the Legislature has provided critical financial support for the legal system's efforts to provide basic civil legal services to the poor," Hecht told a joint meeting of the Texas House and Senate in his State of the Judiciary address, which the chief justice delivers at the beginning of every legislative session. More »
The 84th Texas Legislative Session Begins
Throughout each legislative session, the Texas Access to Justice Commission works to provide lawmakers across the state as much information as we can about how barriers to having access to our justice system affect our court system and their constituents. Our efforts are to raise awareness about the importance of access to justice for all Texans and solicit legislators’ help in providing needed access. The 84th Texas Legislative Session convened on January 13th and concludes on June 1. More »
Texas Fellows Sponsor Litigation Academy
Each year thirty public interest and legal aid attorneys in Texas benefit from a litigation academy sponsored by the Texas Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the Texas Access to Justice Commission. Held at the University of Texas School of Law in Austin, Texas, dozens of attorneys around the state apply to the Commission to be selected as participants. More »
Help a Voice Be Heard
As we celebrate the holidays and embark on a new year, it is a good time to be grateful for all we have and to remember those who have so little. So many people come to legal aid for help with their basic human needs, such as maintaining a place to live, or keeping their children safe from family violence. More »
Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week Highlights Needs for Civil Legal Services
In honor of Veteran’s Day, legal aid programs, local bar associations, law schools, and pro bono private lawyers took part in a coordinated effort of the Texas Access to Justice Foundation to serve the civil legal needs of Texas veterans. The first Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week (TvLAW), held Nov. 10-14, provided clinics, workshops, and other events throughout the state to meet the increasing demand of services. More »
Year in Review
A civil justice system that works only for some, fails us all. Justice for all is a fundamental principle upon which our country was founded. The Texas Access to Justice Commission increases fairness in the judicial system for the 5.6 million Texans who qualify for civil legal aid by advocating for systemic change and the expansion of funding for access to justice initiatives. More »
