Access to Justice Facts
  • Currently in Texas, there are more than 4.6 million people living below poverty level. Approximately 6 million Texans qualify for legal aid.1
  • To qualify for free civil legal services, an individual must not earn more than $13,613 per year. A family of four must not earn more than $27,938 per year.2
  • Legal aid organizations help more than 120,000 Texas families each year with their civil legal needs.3
  • The average starting salary for a public interest attorney is approximately $46,000.  Most new law school graduates carry approximately $86,000 or more in student loan debt.3
  • In 2011, Texas attorneys donated more than $887,000 through the State Bar of Texas dues collection for the provision of civil legal aid for low-income Texans.5
  • There is approximately one legal aid lawyer for every 11,152 Texans who qualify.3
  • Due to a lack of resources, only about 20-25 percent of the civil legal needs of low-income and poor Texans are being met.4
  • For every one person helped by legal aid, a qualifying individual is turned away.6

Download a copy of the Access to Justice Facts [pdf]

Sources:
1 U.S. Census Bureau Current Population Survey (CPS)
2 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
3 Texas Access to Justice Foundation
4 American Bar Association
5 State Bar of Texas
6 Legal Services Corporation

Recent News

 

Jan. 27, 2012

Statement on News Regarding the Hold on Low Interest Rates and the Effect on Legal Aid Programs

Dec. 15, 2011

Texas Senator Kirk Watson to Receive Texas Access to Justice Legislative Hero Award

Nov. 15, 2011

Statement on Funding Cuts to Texas LSC-funded Legal Aid Programs

Nov. 4, 2011

State Bar Gives $1.75 Million for Student Loan Repayment Program

Oct. 25, 2011

Texas Joins in National Pro Bono Celebration: Supreme Court of Texas Issues Resolution

Oct. 3, 2011

Rep. Pete Gallego Reappointed to TAJF Board

Sept. 29, 2011

Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law Section Donates $30,000 to TAJF

Sept. 27, 2011

First State Bank (Ennis) Becomes Prime Partner

Sept. 13, 2011

First State Bank of Mineral Wells Becomes Prime Partner

Sept. 7, 2011

Roland Johnson Appointed to TAJF Board of Directors

Aug. 29, 2011

Tate Reappointed Chair of TAJF Board of Directors

July 21, 2011

Commission and Foundation Applaud the Texas Legislature for Providing Funding for State's Legal Aid System

June 27, 2011

Texas Legislature Issues Joint Resolution Commending the State Supreme Court for Its Efforts to Preserve Access to Justice for All Texans in Legislature

 

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© 2012 Texas Access to Justice Foundation