The Justice in Government Project (JGP) helps bridge the gap between what researchers can tell us and what policymakers need to know about civil legal aid. This page provides JGP publications, webinars, and media mentions that illustrate how civil legal aid can help advance access to justice.
Karlee Naylon, Anna deDufour and Karen Lash published an article in the Summer 2020 issue of the MIE Journal titled, “Civil Legal Aid Funding in the Time of COVID-19”. The article explains how new and old sources of federal pass-through grants can address civil legal problems tied to the COVID-19 fallout and provides examples of states that have incorporated civil legal aid into COVID-related funding opportunities.
Karlee M. Naylon and Karen Lash published an article in the Spring 2020 edition of The Guardian, a quarterly law journal published by the National Association of Counsel for Children. Read their article, “Using Legal Aid to Keep Families Together and Prevent Child Welfare Involvement”(starting on p.15).
Karlee M. Naylon and Karen Lash published an article, “How Can Civil Legal Aid Help Keep Families Together and Kids Out of Foster Care?”, in the April 2020 edition of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Children's Bureau newsletter.
Maha Jweied and Karen Lash published an article with the Center for American Progress, “Civil Justice Needs Federal Leadership”. It uncovers the civil justice crisis in the United States and the ways in which federal policymaking can incorporate civil legal aid into its suite of solutions for low-income and underserved individuals.
Casey Chiapetta and Karen Lash published an article in the MIE Journal as a special feature titled “How Civil Legal Aid Can Tap Federal Funds to Support Partnerships with Schools, Bar Associations, Courts, and Hospitals to Improve the Lives of Those Affected by Substance Use Disorders”.
Karen Lash published an article in the Winter 2019 issue of Dædalus, the Journal of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, titled "Executive Branch Support for Civil Legal Aid". The article explains how civil legal services are essential tools for making government programs more effective, efficient, and fair when they are included alongside other supportive services.
JGP director Karen Lash was recognized in a New Republic article, "No Money, No Lawyer, No Justice", that uncovers the inequities of the civil legal system and the individuals mobilizing to fix them. As the first executive director of the White House Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable during the Obama administration, Lash collaborated with 22 federal agencies to advance civil legal aid as a means to enhance government program effectiveness. The JGP replicates LAIR’s strategy at the state level.
Law360, "Karen Lash On Finding Legal Aid Funding In High Places"
Karen Lash was interviewed by Law360 in a series of discussions with leaders in the access to justice field. The results of the interview, covering Lash’s work in the Department of Justice and her current work with state executive branches to improve program outcomes through civil legal aid, were published in an article titled, “Karen Lash On Finding Legal Aid Funding In High Places”.
Karlee Naylon, Anna deDufour and Karen Lash published an article in the Summer 2020 issue of the MIE Journal that explains why civil legal aid must be included in a holistic pandemic response. The article also provides examples of states using CARES Act funding and recommendations to advance legal aid alongside other supportive services.
The JGP Toolkit helps government policymakers, grant administrators, legal profession leaders, social service providers and advocates improve the quality and efficiency of government programs, increase access to justice, and achieve policy outcomes.
Just Research presents topical research, useful data sources, legislative updates, and sources of federal funding that can support legal aid. Read previous issues of the newsletter here, or subscribe below.
Karlee Naylon and Karen Lash published an article in the April 2020 edition of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Children's Bureau newsletter. It explains how legal aid can help prevent families' legal issues from escalating and provides examples of how states can utilize federal funds to support legal services to keep families together.