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On behalf of the Supreme Court of Texas, the Foundation administers the following
funds:
Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA)
The IOLTA program, established in 1984 by the Supreme Court of Texas, allows attorneys
to pool short-term or nominal deposits made on behalf of clients or third parties
into one account. Interest generated by these accounts is dedicated to helping nonprofit
organizations that provide free civil legal services. As of July 1, 1989, all Texas
attorneys handling qualifying client funds must establish an IOLTA account, unless
a low balance account exempts them.
Per Supreme Court of Texas rules, attorneys must hold IOLTA accounts in eligible
banks -- those that pay interest rates comparable to other similar situated accounts.
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Basic Civil Legal Services (BCLS)
The Texas Legislature enacted the BCLS program in 1997, when federal funding for
legal services decreased significantly. People who file lawsuits must pay a small
additional fee to the court, ranging from $2 in the lower courts to $25 for suits
taken to the Supreme Court of Texas. These fees are designated to assist nonprofit
organizations in providing free civil legal services to low-income Texans.
Included in this program are the mandatory Access to Justice fee (assessed to qualifying
Texas attorneys), "And Justice for All" license plate proceeds, pro hac vice funds
(fee assessed to out-of-state attorneys practicing in Texas), and other public funding.
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Crime Victims Civil Legal Services (CVCLS)
In 2001, the Texas Office of the Attorney General and the Supreme Court of Texas
entered into an agreement to administer a $5 million Crime Victims Civil Legal Services
fund over the biennium. The monies granted must be used to provide free civil legal
services to low-income victims of crime.
Eligibility Requirements
CVCLS-funded Organizations
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Voluntary Access to Justice Contributions
Each year, Texas attorneys have the option of donating $150 or more when paying
their State Bar of Texas dues. A significant portion of these donations is administered
by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation and granted to legal aid organizations
statewide.
These diverse funding sources make it possible for the Texas Access to Justice Foundation
to grant millions of dollars each year for the provision of legal aid to low-income
Texans.
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Recent News
June 16, 2021
Texas Legislature Provides Funding for the State's Legal Aid System May 11, 2021
TAJF
Executive Director honored with national Innovations in Equal Justice Award
Apr. 15, 2021
Help sexual assault survivors and support legal aid - Justice Eva Guzman,
Houston Chronicle Mar. 3, 2021
Hurting from the pandemic and storm, more Texans need legal aid - Chief Justice
Nathan Hecht, Austin American-Statesman
Nov. 5, 2020
Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week goes virtual, free clinics held Nov. 9 - 13
Oct. 21, 2020
Stop TX Eviction Launches to Keep Renters Housed
Oct. 1, 2020
TAJF Creates New Tate Rural Justice Fellowship
Sept. 22, 2020
Hispanic Issues Section Raises Funds for Legal Aid
Sept. 2, 2020
TAJF Adds Houston Attorney Travis Torrence to Board Aug. 25, 2020
TAJF
Names Former Texas Supreme Court Justice Deborah Hankinson as Board Chair
Aug. 12, 2020
TAJF Sponsors Five Equal Justice Works Fellows
Aug. 10, 2020
American Bar Association Appoints TAJF Executive Director to New Positions
June 25, 2020
Nearly 50 Prime Partner Banks Remain Committed to Funding Civil Legal Aid
June 9, 2020
No
Justice, No Peace - By Betty Balli Torres
May 21, 2020
Jamail
Endowment Supporting Legal Services for Texas Veterans Reaches $1M
More news
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