Across the Lone Star State, there are nearly 6 million low-income citizens who need and seek help for legal problems. Due to limited resources, assistance is available for less than 20 percent of them.
This October, through a grant from the Texas Bar Foundation, the Texas Access to Justice Commission will host the Law Student Leaders Access to Justice Summit, where movers and shakers from each of the state’s law schools will learn about the unique and pressing challenges that low-income Texans face in accessing legal services. The aim is to create a statewide culture of pro bono, as well as leaders in the field.
During the two-day event in Austin, participants will experience a hands-on poverty simulation, in which they will be challenged to budget a limited income under set circumstances. Students will partake in roundtable discussions and receive information on pro bono placements and related internships. They will also pledge to take the information gleaned during the summit back to their respective law schools and to educate their peers.
“The summit with generate greater attention to access to justice issues and eventually lead to more resource for civil legal services,” said Trish McAllister, executive director of the Texas Access to Justice Commission.
For more information on the Law Student Leaders Access to Justice Summit, contact Liza Levine at liza.levine@texasbar.com or (512) 427-1892.