Access to Justice
Pro bono, legal aid, justice gap, and legal services innovation for underserved populations
San Francisco Archdiocese Agrees to $395M Sexual Abuse Settlement
San Francisco Catholic Archdiocese agrees to a $395M sexual abuse settlement with transparency and survivor-centered conditions.
Amnesty Demands Release of Tunisian Activists on Appeal
Amnesty International urges Tunisian court to overturn convictions of activists Saadia Mosbah and colleagues amid crackdown on civil society.
Supreme Court May Decide Attorneys’ Fees in Immigration Detention Case
The Supreme Court may soon clarify attorneys’ fees awards under EAJA in immigration detention litigation, affecting legal aid and litigation finance.
ACLU Sues Over Prolonged Detention of Asylum-Seeking Teens with Disabilities
The ACLU sues the U.S. government for discriminating against disabled asylum-seeking teens by prolonging detention and denying protections.
Senators Introduce Bill to Make PACER Free for All Users
The Open Courts Act seeks to eliminate PACER fees, expanding free public access to federal court documents and increasing transparency.
Anthropic’s Claude AI Expands Legal Aid Access with New Integrations
Anthropic launches Claude AI legal plugins and partnerships to enhance legal aid and law firm workflows, boosting access to justice with tailored AI tools.
Massachusetts Students Sue State Over Alleged School Segregation
Nine students and four organizations filed suit alleging Massachusetts illegally maintains racially segregated schools, raising new questions about education equity.
States Expand Nonlawyer Legal Roles to Boost Access to Justice
About a dozen U.S. states now allow nonlawyers to provide limited legal help—reshaping legal service delivery and increasing options for unrepresented litigants.
San Diego Pays $450K to Settle Street Performer “Bubble” Lawsuit
San Diego settles lawsuit with street performer Sandy Snakenberg for $450,000 after a citation for liquid littering during a bubble show, raising questions on public space enforcement.
Justice Gap Study: 79% of Americans See Legal System as Unfair
A 2026 Justice Gap study finds 79% of Americans view the legal system as unfair, with cost and inadequate legal help remaining major barriers to justice, especially for low-income households.
Texas State Bar Honors 2026 Pro Bono Excellence Award Recipients
The State Bar of Texas recognized outstanding individuals and organizations for exemplary pro bono legal service in civil matters, spotlighting access to justice.
Texas Bar Recognizes Indigent Defense Innovators with 2026 Statewide Honors
The Texas Bar's 2026 awards spotlight Capital Area Private Defender Service and Bexar County Public Defender’s Office for pioneering work in indigent criminal defense.
Texas A&M Law, DHR Health Launch CALMA for Free Legal Aid in Hospitals
Texas A&M Law and DHR Health launch CALMA, a medical-legal partnership in Edinburg, TX, offering free legal aid to low-income hospital patients through on-site clinics and a legal kiosk.
U.S. Census Undercounts Multiracial Americans Amid 276% Population Jump
2020 Census and Pew data highlight major gaps in tracking multiracial Americans, raising legal concerns for voting rights, funding, and civil rights enforcement.
AI seen as vital—but not a substitute—for justice systems under strain
AI is being integrated into global justice systems to boost efficiency and access. Experts argue it won’t replace judges but may become essential as court caseloads rise.
Free Law Project to Add Millions of Recent Case Decisions to CourtListener
Free Law Project will digitize and add millions of recent US case opinions to its CourtListener platform, expanding public access to up-to-date legal decisions for legal tech users.
Nonprofits Urge NY's Top Court to Overhaul 'Shadow' Foster Care System
Nonprofits are pressing New York's highest court to reform the state's 'shadow' foster care system, raising legal concerns about due process and child welfare protections.
Human Rights Watch Presses Senegal on Forgotten Flood Victims
Human Rights Watch urges Senegal to provide permanent housing and legal status for nearly 1,000 citizens still living in temporary shelters a decade after climate displacement.
7,000 Protest in Brasília Over Indigenous Land Rights Threats
Over 7,000 Indigenous people rallied in Brasília, pressing for urgent action on land rights amid stalled demarcations and regulatory risks for legal practitioners.
Espionage Charges Against Journalist Panyi Raise Alarm for Press Freedom
Hungary's charges against journalist Szabolcs Panyi for espionage pose threats to press freedom.