Legal Aid Chicago’s Post

Want to understand more about the criminalization of homelessness issue pending before the US Supreme Court? Check out this recent talk from University of California, Los Angeles - School of Law and PILP alum Shayla Myers of Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles , who has been battling this issue here in Los Angeles: https://lnkd.in/gCpREpZ7 Read this article on the LA Times about featuring Shayla's most recent case: https://lnkd.in/gFGagBcn

An astounding thirty percent of Maryland households are “modest means.” These Modest Means Marylanders” fall into a unique access to justice predicament: they exceed the income threshold to qualify for free civil legal aid, yet they do not make enough to be able to pay market rate for a lawyer. The result is a yawning “modest means” access to justice gap. The Affordable Law Task Force undertook the first comprehensive statewide study and analysis of the modest means justice gap in Maryland. After 18 months of study, it delivered this final report with recommendations on how to confront this crisis. Maryland Access to Justice Commission https://lnkd.in/ew6hmZEc

An astounding thirty percent of Maryland households are “modest means.” These Modest Means Marylanders” fall into a unique access to justice predicament: they exceed the income threshold to qualify for free civil legal aid, yet they do not make enough to be able to pay market rate for a lawyer. The result is a yawning “modest means” access to justice gap. The Affordable Law Task Force undertook the first comprehensive statewide study and analysis of the modest means justice gap in Maryland. After 18 months of study, it delivered this final report with recommendations on how to confront this crisis. Maryland Access to Justice Commission Read the report: https://lnkd.in/ew6hmZEc

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we want to highlight some ways that our projects make a difference! Tupelo Attorneys Sarah Phillips and Kristin Belvin have participated in multiple free legal clinics in the First Judicial District over the past year sponsored by the Mississippi Access to Justice. They attended the clinics held on February 13, 2023 in Lee County; April 5, 2023 in Itawamba County; September 18, 2023 in Lee County; and February 22, 2024 in Lee County. The Mississippi Access to Justice Commission seeks to improve access to justice in civil legal proceedings for the poor in Mississippi. More information about the Mississippi Access to Justice Commission can be found in the following link: Legal Resources | MSATJC #YWCares #VolunteerAppreciationMonth

Did you know 80% of civil legal needs for low-income Americans go unmet each year? Join the fight for equal access to justice by #VolunteeringWithCLA Your expertise is invaluable to providing free legal aid to those who can't afford representation. Become a #VolunteerAttorney and use your skills to uplift our community. 💪 Learn more https://lnkd.in/gPqq-3EJ

This week, U.S. Senator Christopher Coons chaired a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on our country's “justice gap”—the divide between those who can afford a lawyer and the millions of Americans facing civil legal problems who must navigate the system alone because they can’t access representation. Sen. Coons highlighted ways that Delaware has led the nation in addressing this critical gap. Last year, we became one of the first states to pass legislation giving low-income tenants a right to representation when facing eviction, and in 2022 we were the first state to allow non-lawyers to represent tenants in eviction cases through our innovative Qualified Tenant Advocate program, run by Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. and Legal Services Corp. of Delaware. “That program in Delaware has been a big success, and it shows that with some out-of-the-box thinking, states and legal aid agencies can help more people with more issues even when attorneys are in short supply,” Sen. Coons noted. We're grateful to the Senate Judiciary Committee for examining this issue, and to Sen. Coons for supporting our efforts here in Delaware, and nationwide, to make the civil justice system more accessible to everyone regardless of income. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/esxDDrfD To watch the full hearing, visit: https://lnkd.in/gwTGxTxn

Investing in civil legal aid is not just the right thing to do morally, but it also makes economic sense. Research shows that every $1 spent on civil legal aid returns $6 of benefits, generating significant economic activity, cost savings, and increased productivity. Read more in the @TheBaltimoreBanner story Funding civil legal aid vital to protect many Maryland families #MarylandLegalAid #EqualJustice #LegalAidForAll #MarylandJusticeNow #MLSC #A2JC

If you are at risk of eviction and need help, call Florida Rural Legal Services at 1-888-582-3410 to see if you qualify for free legal aid. 🛑 If you believe the eviction is unjust, you have the right to defend yourself. 🤝 Ensure your landlord follows proper procedures, and if not, you can take action to protect your rights. 💬 Disagree with the amount of rent due? You have the right to ask a court to decide a fair rent amount. 🔗 FRLS is here to empower tenants with legal information and assistance. Don't hesitate to seek guidance! Understanding your rights is the first step towards a secure housing situation. Stand up for your rights, and let FRLS be your advocate! www.FRLS.og | Non Profit Law Firm | 1-888-582-3410 Services funded by Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties 🏡💙 #TenantRights #EvictionDefense #LegalAssistance

Reflecting on this week's news and our episode of Class Action with the remarkable students from Brooklyn Law School: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld ordinances in the Oregon city of Grants Pass that prohibit homeless individuals from using blankets, pillows, or cardboard boxes for protection while sleeping within city limits. The court ruled 6-3 that these ordinances do not violate the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. This decision has significant implications for homelessness policies nationwide. Other cities have passed similar bans on "camping" in recent years, and this ruling sets a precedent. . **Listen Up**: If you're a law student or just fascinated by legal drama, check out Episode 6 of "Class Action" where law students compete in trial about a similar case in California, and state how this ruling impacts homelessness policies across the country. #SupremeCourt #Homelessness #LegalPodcast #ConstitutionalLaw #BrooklynLaw #HarvardLaw #LawStudents #UCDavisLaw Kevin Huffman Eliana Sands Anjani Shah #KatiePhang https://lnkd.in/gZkSJNhh

Not just Texas- many states with significant rural areas are experiencing critical shortages in lawyers and legal professionals. Texas was the model for licensing SLP assistants to work along side SLP’s in response to a critical shortage of services and professionals over twenty years ago. The Texas model was essentially adopted by SLP’s national organization in the last five years. If this legal model of licensing Law paraprofessionals can withstand the legal challenges, I predict more states will be taking a hard look at the way Texas has structured this. https://lnkd.in/gDnfeZkm