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.

• 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.

• 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
  

• 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.

Recent News

March 5, 2025

Farmers Bank & Trust Joins Texas IOLTA Prime Partner Bank program

February 2025

"Funding Access to Justice for 40 Years"

December 4, 2024

TAJF Honors Chief Justice Nathan Hecht with Kleinman Award

November 19, 2024

TAJF Adds Dr. Benjamin Alexander to Board of Directors

November 11, 2024

Editorial: Helping in the Fight Against Veteran Suicide By Hon. Nathan L. Hecht

October 31, 2023

TAJF honors contributions to access to justice at luncheon with Supreme Court

October 10, 2023

TAJF adds Aranda to board of directors; Hon. Deborah Hankinson reappointed as chair, Torrence reappointed 

July 13, 2023

Cendera Bank Joines Prime Partner Bank Program

June 12, 2023

TAJF Sponsors Five Equal Justice Works Fellows

More news