"This paper provides an overview of the current U.S. civil legal aid system; a brief history of legal aid in the United States; the future of the legal aid system, including the evolution of state justice communities, the increased use of the Internet and hotlines in service delivery, and pro se developments; future funding sources; efforts to improve service quality; and other developments affecting civil legal aid." (Summary from earlier 2003 paper; summary not revised to reflect changes in July 2005 version).

33 pages.

"Much has changed in the delivery of legal services in the past decade. State bars and state courts have become increasingly involved in supporting civil legal assistance. Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) has expanded and survived constitutional challenges. Non-LSC funded providers have come into existence. Documentation of the level of non-federal funding has increased. These changes suggest that it is time for a new effort to assess how we as a nation are faring in our efforts to provide necessary access to civil legal assistance, what it would take to achieve that goal, and the role of federal funding."

...

The enormity of the justice gap documented in this report means that eliminating the gap will require a sustained, long-term effort involving a partnership of federal and state governments, the private bar, and concerned public and private parties. A key first step is to quantify what it would take to provide necessary access to civil legal assistance.

35pages.

"Information clearinghouse for civil and defender members of the equal justice community. ... will ... contain documents relating to the work of civil and defender advocates, including ... information about organizational, management and delivery issues, .... substantive law ... technology, training and conferences, government relations, communications, etc."

"America's Partner for Equal Justice." One might ask, though, why does a government-created corporation, especially one focused on assisting poor people, need a marketing tag line?

Includes the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Act, LSC bylaws, regulations, appropriation acts, property acquisition & management Manual, and Office of Legal Affairs External Opinions

Introduction. Early Years of Legal Aid: 1876-1965. The OEO Era. Legal Services Corporation. The Struggle for Survival. Some Thoughts About the Future. Conclusion. References. 71 pages.

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