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.
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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.
Limited Scope, Unlimited Potential: Rethinking How You Deliver Legal ServicesThe Access to Justice Commission's Modest Means Committee hosted Limited Scope, Unlimited Potential: Rethinking How You Deliver Legal Services at Southern University Law Center. The hybrid CLE provided Louisiana attorneys with practical guidance on incorporating limited scope representation (LSR) into their practices as a sustainable business model while expanding access to justice.
The program featured a variety of perspectives on implementing LSR. Professor Virginia Listach and members of the Modest Means Committee shared their experiences successfully integrating LSR services into their practices. Austin Benton demonstrated technology and practice-management tools that can help attorneys deliver LSR services more efficiently and effectively. Judge Erika Green, Judge Cynthia Clay Guillory, and Judge Patti Oppenheim offered valuable insight into how limited scope representation is viewed and implemented from the bench, while Eric Barefield discussed the ethical considerations and potential pitfalls attorneys should consider when offering LSR services.
Attorneys interested in expanding their practices by offering LSR services are encouraged to join the Modest Means Directory, which connects participating attorneys with clients seeking affordable legal services while helping expand access to justice across Louisiana. You can learn more or join the Modest Means Directory here: https://www.lsba.org/Public/FindLegalHelp/ModestMeans.aspx.