Page 93 - 2020OctoberBOG

ACCESS TO JUSTICE REPORT NOVEMBER 2020

To: LSBA Board of Governors
From: Monte Mollere, ATJ Director

This memo highlights information on the programs and initiatives of the LSBA’s Access to
Justice Commission, Committee and Department that may be of interest or relevance to
the LSBA Board of Governors. Only activities occurring since the last board meeting are
included in this report. Should you have any questions or require additional background
on any item, I am happy to provide additional information.

ATJ Commission

Justice For All Grant work results in Commission adopted work plans and opportunity
for $100,000 supplemental implementation grant to address “Civil Legal Aid Deserts.”

The Louisiana Access to Justice Commission was one of three to be awarded the Justice for
All (JFA) project, currently funded by The JPB Foundation, in 2019. JFA is a project of the
National Center for State Courts (NCSC) designed to support states reach 100% meaningful
access to justice through a three-phase process: 1) inventory assessment, 2) gap analysis, and
3) strategic planning. An advisory committee, representing a broad range of industries, state
agencies, and organizations, helped carry out the phases of the project and presented a strategic
planning report to the ATJ Commission. The report includes information developed through
GIS mapping that shows Louisiana Civil Legal Aid Deserts. The ATJ Commission approved
application of a $100,000 implementation grant which will be designed to target areas with
significant rates of poverty, limited access to broadband, and long drive times to legal aid
offices. For more information about this project and the implementation phase contact Amy
Duncan (amy.duncan@lsba.org).

Funding Committee continues efforts to obtain ongoing state appropriation.
Chris Ralston, Chair
The Funding Committee continues to discuss and coordinate a statewide plan to investigate
diversified mechanisms available to increase civil legal aid funding, including collaborative
grant efforts, changes to LA RS 13:1000, and a state appropriation. In preparation for the 2021
legislative session, committee members plan to meet with legislators about the need for civil
legal aid funding and the positive impact civil legal aid provides our communities. A
$1,000,000 request was submitted in the annual NGO application form Louisiana Appleseed
is coordinating lobbying efforts for this civil legal aid legislative initiative.