What is the Campaign for Justice?

The goal of the Campaign for Justice is to increase funding for the important network of legal aid organizations that give a voice and representation to Californians who need help accessing justice. These nonprofit legal aid organizations collectively provide services in all 58 California counties, and all provide or support free civil legal services to indigent Californians, as defined by statute. The Campaign for Justice was created by a network of legal aid organizations, private lawyers, the Office of Legal Services of the State Bar of California and the Legal Aid Association of California, united in a mission to spread awareness about the importance of legal aid and of increasing the resources available to meet the needs of indigent Californians.

The Campaign for Justice consists of four key components: educating key policymakers about the importance of legal assistance, encouraging banks to maximize interest and waive fees on IOLTA accounts, increasing individual contributions to the Justice Gap Fund and legal assistance organizations, and encouraging pro bono services that leverage legal aid resources. By expanding awareness of the importance of legal assistance, the Campaign for Justice seeks to increase local and statewide legal aid resources so Californians are not denied justice simply because they cannot afford a lawyer.

Why a Campaign for Justice?

Currently, the State Bar of California administers three main sources of funding for the benefit of legal aid in California: Interest on Lawyers’s Trust Accounts (IOLTA), Equal Access Funds through the court budget; and voluntary contributions to the Justice Gap Fund. Unfortunately, due to the downturn in the economy, the need for legal services is rising and revenue continues to decline – one source of funding, IOLTA revenue, dropped from $22 million in 2008 to less than $8 million each subsequent year. In addition, currently less than six percent of California lawyers contribute through their member dues the suggested $100 to the Justice Gap Fund, which therefore yields less than a million dollars annually.

In September 2010, the State Bar and the Legal Aid Association of California gathered legal aid organizations for a statewide meeting to address the funding crisis. At that meeting, legal aid organizations committed to raise $10 million in new funds for California legal services, adopting a “campaign” model that was successful in other states. Thus, California’s Campaign for Justice was born.

Legal help is needed now more than ever in these troubled economic times. While the safety net is shrinking, California’s most vulnerable residents are facing housing crises, job losses, domestic violence, elder abuse, and obstacles to health care and education. When justice is available to those who need it, society benefits from increased family stability, safer communities, and a stronger workforce.

Yet, research shows that most people do not really know what legal aid does, or how important legal aid is in making a difference in people’s lives. This Campaign for Justice seeks to change that, first by creating awareness, and second by increasing funding. When you support the Campaign for Justice, you support critical access to healthcare, safety, food, education and shelter.

Who benefits from the Campaign for Justice?

The Campaign for Justice supports 95 nonprofit organizations throughout California that provide legal help to hundreds of thousands of individuals every year. These organizations form broad and creative partnerships to effectively leverage resources and expand critical legal services. Some programs provide services directly, and other programs coordinate legal services through attorney and law student pro bono. From the smallest legal aid program that serves frail seniors in Lake County to the largest legal aid program that provides statewide protection and advocacy for people with disabilities throughout California; from the legal aid organizations that fight to rehabilitate inner city slums in Los Angeles, to the program that secures guardianships for grandparent caretakers in Bakersfield and surrounding rural areas – each of these legal assistance organizations has a mission to provide legal aid to people who otherwise could not afford access to justice.

How Can You Help?

The Campaign for Justice seeks to promote awareness of the importance of legal aid and to support additional funding for established legal aid programs. In this era of reduced resources and increased need, legal aid needs your help to support the many Californians who have lost their homes, their jobs, and their healthcare. If you already give to legal aid – either your time or money – we urge you to continue to do so. If you already know about the important work of legal aid, we ask you to join the Campaign to educate others. If you do not already support legal aid, now is the time to do so. Donate or take action to support critical legal aid services in California.