Support NLADA

For more than 100 years, NLADA has provided solution-based and creative leadership to the community of equal justice advocates. We are America's oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to excellence in the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. NLADA has pioneered access to justice at the national, state, and local levels, and works to establish and strengthen the nation's public defense and civil legal aid systems. There is no other legal organization that touches on all the access points of poverty as does NLADA.

CLICK HERE to support NLADA’s 2024 End of Year Campaign

CLICK HERE to support NLADA’s General Campaign

In early 2024, NLADA launched our Community Research Department. Priority one was a guided conversation with our Research Director, Dr. Patricia Foxen and NLADA President & CEO April Frazier Camara, participants spoke passionately about their insights into the work of public defenders, as well as the devastating, far reaching impact that our highly inequitable system has had on their lives, their families and their communities. Community Advocate Colie Levar Long spoke to the deep racial biases within the criminal legal system.

"Sometimes I'd be in the law legal room at the jail. And you can hear how the attorneys are talking, you know, to their clients. And first of all, they think that when you’re Black, the concept of time is different. ‘Oh, you’re young, you can just do 10 years or something.’ That’s their mindset. And it's sad. I feel like it's impossible for you to really advocate for my cause if you're not personally willing to intimately know my character, you know?"

Please be an NLADA advocate-partner for systemic change with your contribution today.

This year NLADA introduced the Courageous Leaders executive training for racial equity advocates – a program that in 2025 will be expanded to meet a growing need for courageous, trailblazing advocates … with your support!

Every day, NLADA tackles a wide range of equal justice-related issues to produce positive, sustainable change, from advocating for increased funding for legal aid programs and public defense systems to helping organizations build courageous leadership capacity and racial equity, and more.  

Below are a few highlights outlining what you are investing in when you make a contribution to NLADA. Please click on each photo for a brief 2-minute inspirational video then please support NLADA here.

Tom Fritzsche, Executive Director of Pine Tree Legal Assistance Inc., Maine.

Liza Merrill, Chair of NLADA’s Client Counsel & NLADA Board member.

Anne K. Sweeney, Chief, Civil Legal Services at NLADA

Fighting for the Accused: The Public Defense Campaign for Safe, Secure Communities

For more information on donor opportunities, please contact Aileen Moffatt, Vice President External Relations at [email protected] or 202-452-0620, ext. 223.

Thank you so much for your generous commitment to equal justice for all. Your donation is making a difference for so many!