Page 119 - 2023aprilBOG

The presentation included some of the findings and maps from the Justice for All project,
including:

• Forty percent of Louisiana’s population earn incomes below 200% of the Federal Poverty
Level (FPL), or approximately 1.8 million people in Louisiana. (This number has likely
increased because it is based on data collected pre-pandemic and before recent natural
disasters like Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida.)
• A family of four at 200% of the FPL makes $53,000/year at the time of this data.
• With only one legal aid attorney for every 11,000 people potentially eligible, we know the
need for legal assistance is not being met.
• The Louisiana ATJ Commission underwent an 18-month study and strategic planning
project under the National Center for State Courts’ Justice for All program. This Project is
about “making America’s justice system more responsive to people’s everyday civil legal
needs through innovation, collaboration, and support of statewide efforts.”
• Large geographic areas in Louisiana exist where the population is experiencing very high
rates of poverty and live at least 45 minutes away from the closest legal aid office, self-
help center, or other physical civil legal resource (“civil legal deserts”). You can find a
copy of the full JFA mapping project here.
• The continuation of the JFA project includes working to build physical access points in
identified civil legal deserts. You can find more information about the ongoing work of the
JFA project here.

Laura Tuggle, Executive Director of Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, then discussed the wide-
ranging consequences that can occur when legal issues are not addressed, with cascading impacts
on housing, employment, health, custody, and education. Civil legal aid is an essential part of the
solution for all these issues and, when available at the right time and place, can be part of positive
turning points and success stories for families.

Inspiration from Home: Reports on Activities & Impact

Five access to justice leaders at the conclave then took turns providing short reports highlighting
a few efforts within several key areas of access to justice work. The intent of the reports was to
create a shared understanding of the immense amount of work already happening in the state and
set the stage for discussing opportunities for growth and improvement.

Community Education and Prevention: Alainna R. Mire, City of Alexandria

• The LSBA Board of Governor’s has identified ATJ outreach as a strategic planning

priority.
• They continue to work on identifying, coordinating with, and supporting local partners who

can assist with spreading the word.

2023 ACCESS TO JUSTICE CONCLAVE NOTES 2