Civil Legal Resource Folder Check out ATJ's Civil Legal Resource Folder! This folder offers easy, user-friendly access to civil legal resources in Louisiana. Whether you’re with the judiciary, private bar, legal aid/pro bono community, or a community partner, you’ll find tools designed to connect people to the legal help they need.
https://rb.gy/4idzay
2026 Civil Legal Aid Award Nominations
The Louisiana State Bar Association is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Civil Legal Aid Awards to recognize the outstanding work of lawyers serving in the public interest community. There will be two awards presented at the Louisiana Justice Community Conference on November 19, 2026.
Nominate Now
ATJ Commission Launches Legal Help Access Point in St. BernardJune 22, 2026, the Louisiana Access to Justice Commission recently launched a Legal Help Access Point at the United Way St. Bernard Prosperity Center located at 7143 St. Claude Ave., in Arabi.
The Access Points are physical computers or booths that allow users to access a spectrum of services and information to get assistance with their civil legal issues. At the Access Points, users can: get access to Self-Help resources and automated court forms; find out if you qualify for free legal aid; get customized legal help and referrals through the Civil Legal Navigator; meet virtually with an attorney in a confidential enclosed space; attend a virtual hearing with participating courts via an online court program.
4th Annual Access to Justice (ATJ) Conclave On Wednesday, April 1
st, the Louisiana ATJ Commission hosted the 4th Annual Access to Justice (ATJ) Conclave, which highlighted the vital role pro bono initiatives, statewide resources, and community partnerships play in connecting low- and moderate-income individuals with essential legal assistance. The Conclave’s theme, Justice for All (JFA) Five Years Later: Looking Back and Looking Forward with a Focus on Civil Legal Deserts, invited participants to reflect on progress made while exploring strategies to expand access to justice in underserved areas across Louisiana. LSBA Past Presidents Stephen Dwyer and Alainna R. Mire, along with current LBF President Edmund Giering, IV, and current LSBA President Edward Walters, Jr., were all on hand to welcome Conclave attendees. Further, consultant Tara Veazey facilitated the Conclave for the 4th time, helping to shape the strategies that expand access to justice for all in our state. Overall, the Conclave provided insight into established programs, facilitated opportunities for shared learning and collaboration among leaders, and identified areas for replication, growth, and improvement. By bringing together the judiciary, legal aid providers, pro bono programs, and community organizations, the Conclave strengthened coordinated efforts to ensure that Louisiana’s legal system is accessible, navigable, and responsive to the needs of all residents.
2026 Louisiana Association of Drug and Specialty Courts ConferenceOn April 22, LSBA ATJ staff presented at the 2026 Louisiana Association of Drug and Specialty Courts Conference, sharing strategies for connecting clients to civil legal resources and addressing reentry needs.
In Forma Pauperis (IFP) Bench Card and White PaperThe ATJ Committee recently released its new
In Forma Pauperis (IFP) Bench Card and White Paper, providing judges and court staff with practical guidance for handling IFP requests and improving access to the courts for individuals with limited financial resources. The materials were highlighted at the
28th Annual Meeting of the Louisiana Judicial Council of the National Bar Association in Bossier, where
ATJ Committee Chair Judge Woodruff-White, Judge Guillory of the 14th JDC, and
Greg Hopkins, Pro Bono Manager at the ALSC, shared insights on the importance of consistent IFP practices and the role of the bench and bar in expanding access to justice across Louisiana.
Special Thanks to All Lawyers in Libraries VolunteersThe Louisiana State Bar Association’s 11th Annual Lawyers in Libraries Week and National Celebrate Pro Bono Week were made possible by the extraordinary dedication of volunteer attorneys and library partners across the state. Through in-person consultations, phone-based assistance, and educational webinars, attorneys helped bring meaningful legal guidance directly to Louisiana communities—especially those facing barriers to access.
Thanks to the dedication of volunteers, 192 attorneys signed up to serve at 206 events in 64 library branch locations statewide, contributing more than 500 hours of pro bono service during the Lawyers in Libraries week.
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Monthly Law Talks Scheduled The Access to Justice Commission’s Justice For All Project presents Law Talks, a monthly educational series of virtual presentations on timely and important legal topics, led by legal aid and volunteer attorneys. These sessions are hosted via Zoom and livestreamed on the Louisiana Lawyers in Libraries Facebook page. Additionally, many local libraries host in-person watch parties; be sure to check with your library for viewing opportunities in your community. View the full Law Talks schedule here:
https://www.lsba.org/documents/ATJ/LawTalks2026Schedule.pdf
Welcome to Newly Admitted Attorneys!Welcome to the Louisiana legal community—and congratulations to all newly admitted attorneys! We invite you to explore meaningful ways to serve clients and communities across the state. Learn how Louisiana’s civil legal aid network, pro bono programs, and the Access to Justice Commission work together to expand access to justice for all. Discover valuable resources such as the
Find Legal Help page,
LA.FreeLegalAnswers.org, the
Online Modest Means Directory, and the
Disabilities Assistance Network (DAN), and see how the
Access to Justice Commission strengthens collaboration and promotes equal access to justice.
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