ABA grants will promote programs that employ new law grads to help lower-income people
The ABA plans to award startup grants for new programs with a dual purpose: to employ new law graduates and to address unmet legal needs of poor and moderate income individuals.
The grants will range from $5,000 to $15,000 according to a press release and this request for proposals (PDF). The money will be given through the Legal Access Job Corps initiative backed by ABA President James R. Silkenat.
Bar associations, courts, law schools and other groups involved in the delivery of legal services to poor or moderate-income individuals are eligible to apply for the grants. The application deadline is May 15.
Silkenat explained the reason for the grant program in the press release. “Our nation is facing a paradox involving access to justice,” he said. “On the one hand, too many people with low and moderate incomes cannot find or afford a lawyer to defend their legal interests, no matter how urgent the issue. On the other hand, too many law graduates in recent years have found it difficult to gain the practical experience they need in order to enter practice effectively. The ABA’s catalyst grants will help nurture innovative programs that bridge the unmet legal needs of our society and the unmet employment needs of our young lawyers.”
Grant recipients will be announced by June 30.
Prior coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Jobs Corps task force promises to do more in coming year”
ABA Journal: “Legal Access Job Corps will place law grads in areas with unmet legal needs”
