National Legal Aid & Defender Association

At a time when the justice gap is widening and resources are shrinking, investing in the people on the front lines of equal justice has never been more important. Donate today to help more members of the equal justice community attend next year’s ABA/NLADA Equal Justice Conference, where learning, collaboration, and shared purpose inspire action across the country. Share your gift today: https://bit.ly/49WmUlG

Last Friday's Awards Luncheon at #EJC26 allowed hundreds of pro bono professionals, civil legal aid providers, and advocates to celebrate and uplift the work of equal justice. Congratulations to Lena Hopkins of Community Legal Services, recipient of the NAPBPRO Tanya Nieman Pro Bono Professional of the Year and the NAPBPRO William Reece Smith Jr. Special Services to Pro Bono Awards; and National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership, recipient of the Nan Heald Innovations in Equal Justice Award for your contributions to the access to justice movement! We'd also like to thank our award luncheon speakers, American Bar Association President Michelle Behnke and NLADA VP of Civil Legal Services and Strategic Policy Initiatives Radhika Singh. We appreciate all of our attendees for participating in such a momentous and beautiful ceremony!

RFPs for #NLADA26 close this Friday! Submit your session proposals by May 22 so you can make your voice heard at this year's Annual Conference, taking place from November 4-7 in St. Louis, MO. We are seeking dynamic sessions that highlight collaboration across civil, criminal, and community advocacy, elevate client and community voices, and share innovative strategies, legal approaches, and service models that improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. Individuals, groups, and organizations committed to advancing equal justice for people who cannot afford counsel are encouraged to submit proposals that offer lessons and strategies that can be adapted nationally. Visit our website for more information: https://lnkd.in/gtKRQqAU

Alongside the American Bar Association, we want to thank all of our attendees for coming to #EJC26! Over the past several days, advocates, legal aid professionals, pro bono leaders, and partners from across the country came together to learn, collaborate, and recommit to advancing equal justice. From this year's panelists and plenary speakers to our guests and everybody in between, our community is most powerful when we come together and work as one. We'll be sharing more highlights throughout the week, so stay tuned!

"If we keep believing in the worthiness of this work, we will find a way out of this wilderness." #EJC26 is currently underway! We just wrapped an amazing opening plenary led by Roof Above CEO Liz Clasen-Kelly, a dedicated advocate for the unhoused population in North Carolina. Her insight into how we can end homelessness in Charlotte and across the country is beyond valuable, necessary, and pertinent. Sessions are currently in progress. Hundreds of civil legal aid professionals, educators, students, and more are strategizing and sharing knowledge on how we can best protect equal justice for all. Learn more about our talented and brilliant speakers, our sponsors, our exhibitors and more via our website: https://lnkd.in/guk2K8rw.

Pre-conferences for #EJC26, hosted by NLADA and American Bar Association are starting NOW! We're grateful to be hosting several organizations holding pre-conferences in Charlotte with us, including Management Information Exchange and Frontline Justice. Other pre-conferences include: 🔹 Beyond the Basics: Experienced Pro Bono Managers 🔹 New Pro Bono Managers: Nuts & Bolts Law School 🔹 Pro Bono Advisors Program 🔹 Promoting a 2SLGBTQIA+ Landscape Plan your optimal EJC26 experience via Sched: https://lnkd.in/gHRsNBFE

We're elated to announce that the 2026 Nan Heald Innovations in Equal Justice Awardee is the National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership (NCMLP) at The George Washington University. Established in 2006, the NCMLP has grown from a small number of local programs into a nationwide approach operating in nearly 500 hospitals and health centers across 49 states. These partnerships embed legal professionals into health care teams to address issues such as unsafe housing, access to public benefits, barriers to education, and other legal needs that affect stability. NLADA and the American Bar Association will bestow this award to NCMLP at #EJC26 in Charlotte on May 15. Get the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gX26HBjw

Earlier today, NLADA President and CEO April Frazier Camara, Esq. urged the Council of the District of Columbia to reject the proposed 86 percent reduction to the District’s Access to Justice (ATJ) Initiative, warning that the cuts would destabilize the civil legal aid system and leave thousands of residents without critical support. National data shows that 92 percent of civil legal problems experienced by low-income individuals receive inadequate or no legal help. The proposed cuts would lead to staff layoffs, reduced intake, and potential office closures among legal aid providers. They would also weaken the pro bono legal network that depends on these organizations for training and case management. Learn more and read the full testimony here: https://lnkd.in/gA_73QR8

Among a month's worth of highlights, last month's Virtual Hill Day allowed legal aid providers, public defenders, and community advocates to represent their communities from the comfort of their homes. During these unprecedented times, the ability to vocalize the needs of our communities to lawmakers is of utmost importance. Access to affordable and nutritious food, various educational and skill-building opportunities, low-cost housing, and more will help ensure that everyone has the tools to support themselves, their families, and their neighbors. Because our members are on the frontlines working with people in need of these resources, we're committed to providing platforms and making their voices and concerns heard. Find more resources and get informed on our fight for equal and accessible justice for all here: https://lnkd.in/dGt4NbaY

We're pleased to announce that RFPs for #NLADA26 are now open! Submit your session proposals by May 22 so you can make your voice heard at this year's Annual Conference, taking place from November 4-7 in St. Louis, MO. We are seeking dynamic sessions that highlight collaboration across civil, criminal, and community advocacy, elevate client and community voices, and share innovative strategies, legal approaches, and service models that improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. Individuals, groups, and organizations committed to advancing equal justice for people who cannot afford counsel are encouraged to submit proposals that offer lessons and strategies that can be adapted nationally. Visit our website for more information: https://lnkd.in/gFGd9tnA