RD449 - Legal Services Corporation of Virginia Report to the Commonwealth and the General Assembly FY 2007-2008


Executive Summary:
The civil legal aid programs funded by the Legal Services Corporation of Virginia help the poorest and most vulnerable citizens in Virginia obtain assistance with legal problems affecting their most basic needs. In FY 07-08, legal aid programs addressed 35,774 legal problems that met LSCV’s definition of a “case,” helping 89,202 low-income Virginians overcome the devastating personal impacts of domestic violence, threatened eviction, unemployment, denial of disability benefits and other emergencies.

Another 134,042 low-income people received community legal education, assistance with self representation in court and other essential legal services, including referrals to other sources of non-legal assistance. These individuals were provided with the expert help they needed to address critical legal problems affecting their shelter, food, jobs, and access to health care.

The pro bono efforts of private lawyers served 3,244 clients and their families. Private attorneys donated over 11,700 hours, worth $1.76 million,* through their participation in organized pro bono programs operated by legal aid organizations in partnership with local bar associations.

Legal aid programs improve the justice system for all.

• They provide access to justice and fight for fairness through legal representation, and assistance to economically disadvantaged families in every city and county in Virginia.

• They enable people who need legal help but cannot afford it to act effectively and responsibly to settle their legal problems within the established justice system – as members, not victims, of society.

• In the vast majority of situations, they resolve legal problems without litigation. Legal aid advocates seek solutions that are fair, efficient and consistent with our society’s commitment to Equal Justice Under the Law.

* Estimated conservatively at $150 per hour.