Pro Bono News

Louisiana Approves Money for Civil Legal Aid, Joining Most Other U.S. States (LA)

Monday, June 17, 2019

Louisiana Approves Money for Civil Legal Aid, Joining Most Other U.S. States

"Louisiana will soon join most states in the nation in helping pay for legal assistance for some of its most vulnerable residents, as Gov. John Bel Edwards’ office said he plans to sign a bill that includes $500,000 for the effort.

The money will remove Louisiana from a list of only four states that don’t provide any funding for legal assistance in civil matters such as housing, health insurance, employment, parental rights and protective orders against domestic abusers.

The lack of public money had forced the nonprofits that provide such services in Louisiana – Southeast Louisiana Legal Services and Acadiana Legal Services Corporation – to drastically cut back. As a result, one or both of the parties in 75 percent of civil cases in Louisiana were forced to represent themselves..."

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