WASHINGTON – With federal budget negotiations and executive actions placing critical community services at risk, the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) today launched "JustFundIt," a national campaign demanding increased federal investment to protect equal access to justice for all Americans.
For more than 114 years, NLADA has fought tirelessly to ensure equity and justice for every individual needing legal counsel, regardless of income, background, or zip code. Today, that historic commitment faces unprecedented threats.
"Every day, NLADA’s members, civil legal aid attorneys, public defenders, clients, and community advocates, stand in the gap for people navigating life-altering legal crises," said April Frazier Camara, President and CEO of NLADA. "But without stable federal funding, the very service providers that ensure access to justice risk shutting their doors. JustFundIt is our call to action to protect these critical services."
Millions of Americans rely on legal aid to stay housed, employed, safe, and healthy. More than 90% of people accused of crimes depend on public defenders to protect their rights and freedom. A significant majority of civil legal aid and public defense clients rely on federally funded programs like Medicaid, public benefits, housing, and educational resources to improve their legal and life outcomes.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Without robust federal support:
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Evictions go unchallenged.
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Survivors of abuse can't get essential protections.
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Veterans lose access to vital benefits and mental health services.
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Children risk being pushed from classrooms into the criminal justice system.
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Individuals face incarceration or deportation without adequate defense.
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Government misconduct and overreach go unchecked.
JustFundIt demands action:
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Protect and increase federal funding for civil legal aid and public defense.
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Uphold constitutional rights by ensuring no one is denied legal representation due to federal budget cuts.
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Defend frontline advocates, attorneys, and legal professionals who ensure justice is accessible in every community.
"This is not a partisan issue — it's a people issue," Camara emphasized. "We must fund justice as if our communities depend on it, because they absolutely do."
NLADA invites everyone to join the fight. Raise your voice, share the stories, and demand action. Together, we can challenge the current narrative, advocate for equal justice, and secure essential funding for legal service providers and critical federal services in our most vulnerable communities.
If you’re interested in speaking to an NLADA expert about the campaign please contact Rabiah Alicia Burks at [email protected]
To learn more and get involved, visit www.nlada.org/JustFundIt.
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The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA), founded in 1911, is America's oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to excellence in the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. NLADA has pioneered access to justice at the national, state, and local levels, playing a leadership role in the creation of public defender systems and other important institutions from The Sentencing Project to the Legal Services Corporation. A leader in the development of national standards for civil legal aid and public defense, NLADA also provides advocacy, training, and technical assistance for equal justice advocates across the country.