AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Access to Justice Foundation (TAJF) announces the creation of the Randy Chapman Fellowship program for legal aid lawyers. The announcement was made on June 20 at an event recognizing the recent retirement of Chapman as the executive director of Texas Legal Services Center.

“Randy Chapman has a deep commitment and passion for the cause of justice, and is uniquely known for his creative approaches to legal aid challenges,” Richard L. Tate, chair of the board of directors for the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, said. “This fellowship will encourage new ideas and creative approaches to the delivery of legal services as a lasting reminder of Randy’s work for those in need of legal help.”

Since 1985, Chapman has served as the executive director of Texas Legal Services Center, a nonprofit legal office that serves the elderly, veterans, sexual assault survivors and other disadvantaged Texans. Chapman is credited with creating partnerships and collaborations that have led to new statewide funding streams for civil legal services in the state. Prior to coming to Texas, he worked with legal aid organizations in Pennsylvania to provide legal aid in rural areas, in safe and affordable housing laws and mental health law. He announced his retirement in 2017 after more than 43 years of providing access to justice for the poor.  

The Texas Access to Justice Foundation will fund and administer a four-year fellowship for a lawyer at Texas Legal Services Center to continue to provide creative approaches to civil legal services in Texas. Program details and eligibility guidelines are currently being developed and will be available at www.teajf.org. 

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The Texas Access to Justice Foundation, created by the Supreme Court of Texas in 1984, is the largest state-based funding source for the provision of civil legal aid in Texas. The organization is committed to the vision that all Texans will have equal access to justice, regardless of their income. The Foundation administers a variety of funding sources, which are earmarked to assist nonprofit organizations in providing legal aid to more than 150,000 Texas families each year. For more information, please visit: www.teajf.org..