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Mergers of Arkansas legal services organizations begin
Mergers of Arkansas legal services organizations begin in an effort to more effectively represent low-income Arkansans. Six organizations merge into two separate 501(c) (3) nonprofit organizations: Center for Arkansas Legal Services and Legal Aid of Arkansas. The first Access to Justice Conference is held. -
Statewide HelpLine and ALSP is formed
The Center and LAA launch the statewide toll-free HelpLine (1-800-9 LAW AID), doubling the number of clients served. Arkansas Legal Services Partnership (ALSP) is formed to coordinate statewide initiatives, trainings, and justice technologies. The Arkansas Bar Association House of Delegates and the Access to Justice Working Group petition the Arkansas Supreme Court to create an Access to Justice Commission. -
The Arkansas Access to Justice Commission & Arkansas Pro Bono Partnership are formed
The Arkansas Access to Justice Commission is created by per curiam order of the Arkansas Supreme Court. ALSP begins providing full-time staffing resources for the Commission. The Arkansas Pro Bono Partnership Blueprint Agreement is formed as a long-term initiative between the Arkansas Pro Bono Partnership, Arkansas Bar Association, and other stakeholders. The two free Arkansas legal aid organizations provide services for 13,195 clients. -
ALSP launches the Justice Technology Project,
ALSP launches the Justice Technology Project, beginning with the creation of www.arlegalservices.org, which provides legal resources for low-income Arkansans as well as poverty law resources for attorneys. The two free Arkansas legal aid organizations provide services for 14,501 clients. Learn more about Arkansas Justice Technology -
Public Legal Aid Fund is created
The Public Legal Aid Fund is created when the Arkansas Legislature passes SB584. This is the first time state funds are designated in support of legal services in Arkansas. These funds now constitute 14 percent of total funding for legal services in Arkansas. The two free Arkansas legal aid organizations provide services for <b>14,026 clients</b>. -
AATJ Commission holds Town Hall Meetings
The Arkansas Access to Justice Commission holds town hall meetings in the state’s four congressional districts. Each U.S. Representative hosts the meetings. The two free Arkansas legal aid organizations provide services for 14,281 clients. -
LSP website receives more than 1 million page views & launches Automated Document Project
ALSP and the Commission launch the Arkansas Automated Document Project. Pro Bono Case Alerts, a monthly e-newsletter, is sent to more than 1,500 registered pro bono attorney subscribers. The two free Arkansas legal aid organizations provide services for 15,094 clients. Arkansas Legal Services Partnership Website -
LiveHelp, an online chat service, launches on the ALSP website
Thousands of real time chats have provided self-help users with legal information and advocates with online resources. -
Additional funding passed for the Public Legal Aid Fund & Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation is formed
Arkansas Legislature passes SB348, which provides additional funds for the Public Legal Aid Fund. The Arkansas Supreme Court provides funding for Commission staff. The Arkansas Supreme Court combines the efforts of the Commission and IOLTA Foundation. The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation is formed to help raise funds. The ALSP website receives more than 2 million page views. The two free Arkansas legal aid organizations provide services for 16,900 clients. -
Over 16,600 clients received free legal help
The two free Arkansas legal aid organizations provide services for 16,600 clients. AATJ Commission's proposal that attorneys licensed out-of-state be allowed to provide pro bono services in Arkansas is unanimously supported by the Arkansas Bar Association Board of Governors. AATJ Foundation conducts 2nd annual statewide fundraising campaign with VOCALS & LAA raising $372,285. ALSP helps launch www.statesidelegal.org an event hosted by the White House. -
Congress cuts LSC Funding
The House and Senate voted to provide the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) with $348 million in funding for Fiscal Year 2012, a reduction of about $56 million from current funding. The funding reduction was taken from basic field grants, a cut of 14.8 percent. President Obama signed the appropriations bill on Nov 18, 2011. Additional cuts were made on the state level to the Public Legal Aid Fund. LSC