2025 Equal Justice Conference

"Right to counsel" for tenants facing eviction is a growing part of the access to justice landscape. Should that mean the same essentially unlimited right as it is on the criminal side or is a tiered strategy of legal assistance? How does each approach measure up with regards to effectiveness and sustainability?

Housing courts have long been viewed as places of last resort, defined by their shortcomings and systemic power imbalances. Over the last three years, 24 courts set out to challenge this notion by launching eviction diversion programs that connect litigants with time, information, and resources to resolve their disputes in a less harmful way. Learn more about how these programs are reducing the number of eviction judgments, increasing trust and confidence in the justice system, and efficiently connecting litigants with legal aid and wraparound services.

This session will explore the vital role libraries play in addressing legal inequities through partnerships with legal aid organizations and pro bono initiatives. By leveraging library resources, these collaborations empower underserved communities, provide legal information, and support attorneys. Attendees will learn about successful projects, strategies to engage volunteers, and innovative ways to increase access to justice. Participants will gain actionable insights on creating impactful, sustainable partnerships to serve diverse client needs.

The student loan crisis disproportionately impacts women, low-income, and Black borrowers, but few borrowers have access to legal help. This session will explore how legal aid organizations can learn from established models, such as newer programs in California and New York, to develop a student loan practice to assist borrowers.