NLADA Welcomes Increased Funding For LSC in 2018 Omnibus Appropriations

Contact: Sharon Singh; [email protected] 

(Washington, DC) Jo-Ann Wallace, President and CEO of the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) issued the following statement in response to the release of the omnibus appropriations bill for FY 2018 that provides $410 million for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), a $25 million overall increase from FY 2017 levels:

“NLADA welcomes Congress’ decision to increase funding for LSC.  Currently, too many of the civil legal problems faced by low-income Americans receive inadequate or no legal assistance at all.  The additional funding will help civil legal aid offices provide much-needed legal services to more people facing life-altering circumstances.

However, the fight has not ended. The administration’s budget for FY 2019 has again called for the elimination of the LSC program.  A broad-based coalition comprised of corporate giants, law firm principals, community and faith leaders and many other stakeholders worked together to save LSC. We will come together again to push for full LSC funding so that no one in need is ever turned away.  Only then will we fulfill America’s promise of ‘justice for all.’”

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The National Legal Aid & Defender Association, founded in 1911, is 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 through the creation of our public defender systems and other important institutions from The Sentencing Project to the Legal Services Corporation. A leader in the development of national standards for civil legal aid and public defense, NLADA also provides advocacy, training and technical assistance for equal justice advocates across the country.