Closing the Justice Gap

Personal Experience

• Speaker's ex-husband abused her through the court system
• Resulted in severe financial difficulty
• No money, nowhere to live, potential homelessness
• Highlights the importance of having access to legal counsel

2022 Justice Gap Study by LSC

• Key Findings:
  • 92% of civil legal problems for low-income Americans go unaddressed
  • 74% of low-income households faced at least one civil legal problem last year
  • Nearly half did not seek legal help due to cost concerns
• Demonstrates the lack of accessible legal aid for low-income individuals

Consequences of Insufficient Legal Aid

• Loss of home, child custody, and healthcare
• People are severely impacted without legal representation
• The civil justice system is not equally accessible to all

Call to Action

• Need to address the lack of counsel in civil legal matters
• Make the civil justice system more accessible to low-income individuals
• Fulfill the promise of equal justice for all in the United States

The Justice Gap

• Significant disparity between the legal needs of ~50 million low-income Americans and available resources
• Shortage of legal aid lawyers
• Many are unaware of where to seek help

Speaker's Conclusion

• Grateful for receiving necessary help
• Urges immediate action to close the justice gap