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On behalf of the Supreme Court of Texas, the Foundation administers the following
funds:
Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA)
The IOLTA program, established in 1984 by the Supreme Court of Texas, allows attorneys
to pool short-term or nominal deposits made on behalf of clients or third parties
into one account. Interest generated by these accounts is dedicated to helping nonprofit
organizations that provide free civil legal services. As of July 1, 1989, all Texas
attorneys handling qualifying client funds must establish an IOLTA account, unless
a low balance account exempts them.
Per Supreme Court of Texas rules, attorneys must hold IOLTA accounts in eligible
banks -- those that pay interest rates comparable to other similar situated accounts.
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Basic Civil Legal Services (BCLS)
The Texas Legislature enacted the BCLS program in 1997, when federal funding for
legal services decreased significantly. People who file lawsuits must pay a small
additional fee to the court, ranging from $2 in the lower courts to $25 for suits
taken to the Supreme Court of Texas. These fees are designated to assist nonprofit
organizations in providing free civil legal services to low-income Texans.
Included in this program are the mandatory Access to Justice fee (assessed to qualifying
Texas attorneys), "And Justice for All" license plate proceeds, pro hac vice funds
(fee assessed to out-of-state attorneys practicing in Texas), and other public funding.
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Crime Victims Civil Legal Services (CVCLS)
In 2001, the Texas Office of the Attorney General and the Supreme Court of Texas
entered into an agreement to administer a $5 million Crime Victims Civil Legal Services
fund over the biennium. The monies granted must be used to provide free civil legal
services to low-income victims of crime.
Eligibility Requirements
CVCLS-funded Organizations
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Voluntary Access to Justice Contributions
Each year, Texas attorneys have the option of donating $100 or more when paying
their State Bar of Texas dues. A significant portion of these donations is administered
by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation and granted to legal aid organizations
statewide.
These diverse funding sources make it possible for the Texas Access to Justice Foundation
to grant millions of dollars each year for the provision of legal aid to low-income
Texans.
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Recent News
July 20, 2010
Texas Rep. Pete P. Gallego Honored with Texas Access to Justice Legislative Hero Award
June 30, 2010
New booklet "A Lawyer's Guide to Client Trust Accounts"
created by Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel helps address common questions.
May 11, 2010
Tyler Banks Recognized for Supporting Legal Services to the Poor
May 5, 2010
Texas Access to Justice Commission Raises Funds for Legal Services for Veterans
Apr. 27, 2010
League of Women Voters of Texas Receives Star of Justice Award for Access to Justice Efforts
Apr. 19, 2010
Access to Justice Commission Hosts Gala Benefiting Legal Services for Veterans
Apr. 13, 2010
"Going it Alone"
an article on self-represented litigants on TexasTribune.org Apr. 8, 2010
A blog post on
Dallas Morning News
about the Forum on self-represented litigants
Apr. 5, 2010
An op-ed by Chief Justice Jefferson & Commission Chair Reasoner on self-represented
litigants appears in the
Dallas Morning News,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram and
Houston Chronicle
Mar. 30, 2010
First Texas Forum on Self-Represented Litigants and the Courts to be held April 8-9 in Dallas
Mar. 12, 2010
Chief Justice Jefferson names Justice Hecht as new Foundation liaison
More news
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