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ATJ Strategic Planning and Our Justice For All

ATJ Strategic Planning
Over the several years since it was created, members had engaged in planning the work of the
Louisiana Access to Justice Commission. Over that time, three different plans were developed in
the form of both self-generated efforts and those imposed through the work of the LSBA. These
planning processes allowed for the examination of various access issues and the creation of
committees that would work to alleviate challenges and advance the identified areas of interest. In
addition to Commission members, issues experts and thought leaders have been invited to meet
regularly through these committees.

Justice For All Project
In October 2019, the ATJ Commission was awarded the Justice For All Project (JFA) grant from
the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). The purpose of the project is to bring traditional and
non-traditional stakeholders together to collaborate on statewide efforts that advance meaningful
access to civil legal services. The Louisiana Justice For All Project is led by a diverse group of
stakeholders including representatives from the Louisiana Supreme Court, Louisiana ATJ
Commission, LSBA and legal aid organizations. The process also encourages inclusion beyond
the traditional legal partners, with other stakeholders such as public libraries and local community
organizations. The grant is administered through the Louisiana Bar Foundation.

During the first year of the JFA Project, the Commission completed an Inventory Assessment,
which included a thorough statewide examination of residents’ access to in-person civil legal
resources. The findings show that in Louisiana, over 600,000 people income-eligible for civil legal
aid must drive 45-min or more to get legal help. These areas, termed “civil legal resources deserts”
encompass 60% of the state’s landmass and were found using Geographic Information Systems
Mapping tool. These maps were featured in the LSBA’s April/May 2021 Bar Journal, several
local articles and news outlets, and in the Louisiana Bar Foundation’s civil legal aid media
campaign. The final JFA report with recommendations is available here. The report became the
basis of a well-informed strategic plan for the ATJ Commission, its partners and access to justice
in Louisiana. The plan informs the ATJ Committee and Commission projects and initiatives, and
will continue to do so in the near future.

Access to Justice Committee

The ATJ Committee brings together civil legal aid providers to collaborate and address issues
impacting their efforts to provide access to legal services to low-income Louisianans. Detailed
below are the group’s subcommittees, through which issue-specific projects are completed:

Disaster Planning Subcommittee, Chair Ann Gregorie

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