Page 206 - 2021bogOrientationManual

Louisiana Appleseed has contributed to funding efforts by hiring lobbyists to assist the
ATJ Commission’s Funding Committee to obtain state funding for civil legal aid. The
ATJ Committee coordinates efforts with the Louisiana Bar Foundation on its Campaign
to Preserve Civil Legal Aid, to benefit Louisiana’s civil legal aid community.

In July 2020, with a budget surplus, the Louisiana Legal Services programs received
$500,000 in supplemental funds for FY2019-20. With ongoing engagement of a lobbying
firm by Louisiana Appleseed, and increased coordination, a state appropriation of
$500,000 was obtained for FY2020-21 for Louisiana civil legal aid.

In recent years, Louisiana Appleseed and the Committee have hosted a breakfast to
educate legislators on the importance of civil legal aid to their constituents, the state, and
our economy. Additionally, volunteer members of the Funding Committee annually travel
to Baton Rouge to conduct an “ATJ Day at the Capitol.” This provides yet another event
where members of the Funding Committee and ATJ supporters can educate their
legislators. The committee prepares educational material that will be distributed to all
legislators in advance of this day.

The ATJ Director coordinates participation of LSBA leadership in ABA Day in
Washington DC, an organized lobbying event at which our Bar leaders meet with each
member of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation to encourage adequate funding of the
Legal Services Corporation, the major funder of Louisiana’s largest legal services
entities. In 2020 and again in 2021, Bar leaders participated in virtual meetings in light of
the COVID-19 pandemic.

Access to Justice Fund
The Access to Justice Fund is an LBF Fund which supports specific access to justice
needs related to at least one of the following issues: Statewide Technology, Statewide
Intake and Referral, or Disaster Response.

The ATJ Committee identifies eligible projects and recommends allocation of funds. The
source of funding is an LSBA dues check-off which allows attorneys to make a financial
contribution to civil legal aid. In past years, the majority of these funds have supported
the statewide uniform cases management system and the Louisiana Civil Justice Center.

Pro Hac Vice Fee Increase
The Access to Justice Committee was successful in encouraging the Louisiana Supreme
Court to revise their Rule XVII Section 13A(4)(ii), increasing the pro hac vice fee filed
by out-of-state lawyers not licensed to practice law in Louisiana from $250 to $450 per
admission. The collected funds are used to support the work of civil legal aid programs in
Louisiana. The specifics are included in an agreement between the Louisiana Bar
Foundation and the Louisiana Disciplinary Board (LADB), which collects these fees.
Funds are distributed to the beneficiaries annually through the LBF’s grant process.