Access to justice is a foundational principle of the American legal system, yet millions of low-income Americans continue to face civil legal challenges without the assistance of a lawyer. This year, during ABA Day 2025, members of the American Bar Association (ABA) will advocate for one of the ABA’s most long-standing priorities: robust funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC).
Since its creation by Congress in 1974, LSC has served as the single largest funder of civil legal aid in the United States. In 2021 alone, LSC-funded organizations handled over 1.7 million cases and provided critical legal information to more than 1.4 million additional individuals. From protecting victims of domestic violence to assisting veterans and seniors with access to vital benefits, LSC grantees serve as a legal lifeline to some of our nation's most vulnerable populations.
Yet, despite LSC's indispensable role, the demand for legal services continues to outpace available resources. A 2022 LSC report revealed that 92% of the civil legal problems faced by low-income Americans received inadequate or no legal help. In fact, LSC-funded programs turned away nearly half of the approximately four million requests for assistance due to insufficient funding.
LSC grantees serve clients from every congressional district, guiding individuals through increasingly complex legal challenges. These services include securing protective orders for survivors of domestic violence, resolving housing and consumer disputes, advocating for veterans, and providing critical disaster legal aid. Through a vital partnership with the ABA Young Lawyers Division’s Disaster Legal Services team, LSC-funded organizations help communities recover from natural disasters by offering essential legal assistance for housing, benefits, insurance claims, and more. Without these coordinated efforts, countless Americans would face these crises alone, often with life-altering consequences.
This year, ABA members will not only highlight the importance of preserving and increasing LSC’s funding in the FY2026 budget but will also emphasize the critical role that disaster legal aid plays in ensuring equitable recovery for those affected by wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.
ABA advocates will urge Congress to continue its tradition of bipartisan support by preserving and expanding LSC funding to ensure that every American can access justice, regardless of their income.