Publications
Civil Legal Aid
Facing Foreclosure Alone: The Continuing Crisis in Legal Representation
Recent data from state court systems show that a vast majority of homeowners facing foreclosure do not have a lawyer.
Authored by: Nabanita Pal
– 11/04/11
Foreclosures: A Crisis in Legal Representation
This report discusses the foreclosure crisis in terms of the larger crisis of the poor’s lack of access to civil legal representation. Anecdotal and empirical evidence show that in the areas hardest hit by foreclosures, Americans are not getting the legal help they need. The report highlights the many ways lawyers can help save families’ homes from foreclosure and recommends various policy steps to be taken on the national and state levels to increase access to attorneys for the most vulnerable.
Authored by: Melanca Clark with Maggie Barron
– 10/06/09
A Call to End Federal Restrictions on Legal Aid for the Poor
A report calling for the repeal of draconian and wasteful restrictions on civil legal aid programs receiving funding from the federal Legal Services Corporation.
Authored by: Rebekah Diller & Emily Savner
– 06/22/09
Access to Justice: Opening the Courthouse Door
Our nation’s promise of “equal justice for all” is among its proudest traditions. In this paper, the authors offerer a series of proposals to bridge the gap between the lofty promise of equal justice and the often disappointing reality of justice on the ground.
Authored by: David Udell & Rebekah Diller
– 04/16/07
Struggling to Meet the Need: Communities Confront Gaps in Federal Legal Aid
“Struggling to Meet the Need” presents a picture of the valiant efforts of state and local governments, as well as private entities, to find ways to support civil legal representation for vulnerable individuals and families despite massive setbacks imposed by Congress in 1996.
Authored by: Brennan Center
– 03/01/03
Hidden Agendas: What Is Really Behind Attacks on Legal Aid Lawyers
“Hidden Agendas” shines a bright light on the organizations and individuals responsible for imposing funding cuts and restrictions on civil legal aid lawyers, particularly on those in programs receiving federal funds from the federally funded Legal Services Corporation.
Authored by: Brennan Center
– 01/01/01
Left Out in the Cold: How Clients Are Affected By Restrictions on Their Legal Services Lawyers
“Left Out in the Cold” explores limits on legal services advocacy from the clients’ perspective, illuminating ways in which individuals’ sympathetic problems could be effectively addressed by class-action suits brought by legal services lawyers.
Authored by: Brennan Center
– 06/01/00
Bearing Witness: Legal Services Clients Tell Their Stories
“Bearing Witness” presents true narratives of individuals and families whose lives were altered for the better by the tenacious efforts of lawyers working on their behalf in programs funded by our nation’s Legal Services Corporation.
Authored by: Brennan Center
– 05/01/00
An Unsolved Mystery: Why are Rogue Politicians Trying to Kill Program Helping Neediest Constituents
“An Unsolved Mystery” describes the important work that advocates for the Legal Services Corporation are doing in the very states in which some of the strongest critics of legal services hold elected office.
Authored by: Brennan Center
– 03/01/00
Maintaining the Safety Net: Legal Services Works Closely With Communities to Help Those in Need
“Maintaining the Safety Net” illuminates the importance of legal services advocates to the larger communities in which their clients live.
Authored by: Brennan Center
– 03/01/00