National Legal Aid & Defender Association

It's that time of the year again! The 2024 NLADA Annual Conference is almost here, and we're ready to go. This year, our Annual Conference will bring together civil legal aid, public defender, and community advocate professionals from across the nation to unite and ignite our shared passion to fight for justice for all. Come November 16, you will leave Atlanta empowered with new ideas, strategies, and tools to advance equity and access to justice for everyone in the new year! Will we see you in Georgia this November? Learn more and register: ?? https://lnkd.in/eUSaE-NF ??

Our report, “At What Cost?" details the extent to which fees are dis-proportionally applied to already marginalized populations, further entangling them within the justice system. We have to #EliminatePDFees to make meaningful steps toward reform: https://lnkd.in/gcWP9-hn

This year, we honored 40 law firms as Beacon of Justice Awardees for the work they did to address issues related to Civil & Human Rights in 2023. Browse this year’s awards book to learn more about the work of the winning firms! https://lnkd.in/enjUWRtm

Our CEO Jo-Ann (pictured here) was honored to present the award earlier this year!

Defending constitutional rights is what we do. We ensure everyone gets a fair trial. ??? JOIN T?? FIGHT ??? US to get your FREE E-Book and Social Media Toolkit: https://lnkd.in/evQTEc8n #FightingfortheaccUSed???

Public defenders represent over 80% of criminal defendants, not only offering legal assistance but also supporting clients to improve their lives. Despite this, public defender offices nationwide are “grossly underfunded, particularly compared to district attorney offices or police departments,” say Chief Defenders Keisha Hudson of Defender Association of Philadelphia and Mano Raju of San Francisco Public Defender's Office. See how funding #PublicDefense helps #SafeguardJustice https://lnkd.in/eJ3TfNdS #FightingfortheaccUSed Newsweek

We're hiring! NLADA is seeking a Program Manager to lead our AmeriCorps VISTA Program, which supports public defense agencies across the country. If you’re passionate about improving access to justice and making a lasting impact on communities, we encourage you to apply! Learn more and apply today: https://lnkd.in/eTceF_AU

?? Calling all legal aid experts! The request for proposals is NOW OPEN! This is your chance to help us shape the 2025 Equal Justice Conference into an unforgettable event and gain exposure on a national stage. Learn more about the process and submit yours today: https://lnkd.in/e2deK2b6

In the United States, public defense system fees are a serious issue that needs to be addressed. People have the right to receive court-appointed attorneys, but those attorneys often come with hefty fees. This fee barrier makes #AccessToJustice difficult for those without the means to pay. It's important for states to reevaluate their policies and ensure that access to legal representation is truly equal for all. To learn how states can make their policies more equal, visit: https://lnkd.in/gcWP9-hn #EqualJustice #EliminatePDFees #SafeguardJustice

"Despite being the 'land of the free,' the U.S. remains the world leader when it comes to locking people up, with some 1.9 million people behind bars," says the Prison Policy Initiative. See the breakdown by state: https://lnkd.in/dFBgJ2dd