Resolution of The Iowa State Bar Association in Support of Federal Funding for Civil Legal Services

WHEREAS, the principle of equal justice under law is central to our democracy and our system of justice; and

WHEREAS, many Iowans lack the means to secure legal advice and representation in matters of critical importance to their safety, shelter, sustenance, and health; and,

WHEREAS, Iowa Legal Aid provides essential legal services throughout the state to low-income Iowans with critical legal needs, such as:

• Protecting victims of domestic violence,


• Protecting families from unsafe housing and illegal evictions,


• Protecting elderly Iowans from consumer fraud and financial abuse,


• Securing health care, SSI and basic services for low-income Iowans,


• Helping Iowans understand their legal rights and responsibilities; and,

WHEREAS, the most recent census data indicates that over 498,000 Iowans meet Iowa Legal Aid 's income eligibility guidelines. This is up from 359,741 in the 2000 Census; and,

WHEREAS, the annual funding provided by the federal government allows low-income Iowans from all 99 counties to access and receive legal assistance from Iowa Legal Aid; and,

WHEREAS, a report from the Legal Services Corporation Office of Program Performance determined that: “Iowa Legal Aid is an effective and efficient program with many forward thinking attributes …. The program is very well managed with strong leadership and board support. It is highly productive, providing high quality legal services to a significant number of clients”; and,

WHEREAS, the legal services provided by Iowa Legal Aid assists clients by giving them a hand up to get through a crisis and navigate the legal system. Often this leads to a return to productivity. Providing crucial legal services before the problem gets worse minimizes the expenditures by other governmental and private bodies; and,

WHEREAS, Iowa Legal Aid currently receives approximately $2.5 million in federal funding from the Legal Services Corporation to serve Iowans in all 99 counties; and,

WHEREAS, as of January 1, 2016 Iowa Legal Aid had 13 fewer attorneys and 6 fewer support staff than it had at the beginning of 2010, which has required Iowa Legal Aid to restrict intake in several areas of law, and reduce the hours when staff are available to process new intake applications; and,

WHEREAS, Iowa Legal Aid closed approximately 16,350 cases in 201 6, serving nearly 38,000 Iowans, 16,100 of whom were children. The number of cases closed in 2016 is almost 39% less than the number of cases closed by Iowa Legal Aid in 2010. This reduction in closed cases is not because of reduced need, but rather because of reduced funding and reduced staff levels; and,

WHEREAS, according to Iowa Legal Aid's recent unmet needs study, a projected 10,000 families were turned away due to lack of staff resources; and,

WHEREAS, increasing numbers of pro se litigants create additional demands on the courts; and,

WHEREAS, the support of the legal community is critical to the future of legal aid in Iowa; NOW, BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED:

THAT The Iowa State Bar Association supports continued federal funding of the Legal Services Corporation in an amount needed to maintain or increase the current appropriation.

THAT The Iowa State Bar Association calls upon all Iowa lawyers to support federal funding, and request Iowa lawyers to contact their Representatives and Senators to ask for continued federal funding of the Legal Services Corporation in an amount needed to maintain or increase the current appropriation.

Adopted by the Board of Governors of The Iowa State Bar Association on the 22nd day of March, 2017.