Catherine Titzer, PBI Intern As Domestic Violence Awareness Month concludes, it remains crucial to address the pressing issue of domestic violence in Indigenous communities and the barriers that sustain it. Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women face disproportionately high rates of violence, compounded by significant challenges in accessing support services, including legal assistance. The POWER Act, a federal law, promotes pro bono legal services as a crucial means of empowering survivors of gender-based violence, helping to provide the resources necessary for healing. Fostering collaboration and prioritizing culturally relevant support through pro bono efforts can work towards creating safer,

Erin Palmer, Associate Director, Corporate Pro Bono In a significant development aimed at closing the access to justice gap, DC Courts are considering proposals to allow trained nonlawyers to provide legal assistance to residents facing civil legal challenges. This initiative aligns with similar efforts in multiple states, including Texas, where licensing of paraprofessionals and court-access assistants is being pursued as a means to better serve low-income individuals. Unlocking Legal Access A staggering 75-97% of people involved in certain civil cases in DC do not have legal representation, often due to high costs or a lack of available resources. Thousands of

Sarah Lahlou-Amine, Director, Law Firm Pro Bono Project® In a groundbreaking move aimed at addressing the widening gap in access to legal services, the Supreme Court of Texas has recently taken steps toward licensing paraprofessionals and court-access assistants to provide legal services to low-income individuals. This development marks a significant shift in the traditional legal landscape and builds on a growing movement to expand access to justice through the use of nonlawyer legal service providers. The Access to Justice Gap The “access to justice gap” refers to the disparity between the need for legal services and the ability of individuals