Programs

Access to Justice Summer Internship Program

The Commission and the nine Texas law schools created the Access to Justice Internship Program in 2006 to encourage more students to help address the legal problems of underserved individuals and communities and educate future attorneys about those problems. This unique program places students in summer academic internships with civil legal service providers across Texas located outside communities with law schools.

The program incorporates both fieldwork and an academic component. A stipend is provided to every student, and academic credit may also be available.Please check back in mid-January for applications for the Summer 2010 program.

Prior Year – Student Perspectives

Access to Justice Speakers Bureau

The Texas Access to Justice Commission and the Texas Access to Justice Foundation created the Access to Justice Speakers Bureau to provide local bar associations and other attorney and community groups with a FREE ethics CLE highlighting the many ways attorneys can get involved to increase access to legal services for poor and low-income Texans. Presentations are tailored to local areas and individual group needs and are a great time to recognize local pro bono champions—individual attorneys, attorney groups, corporations, law firms and banks. Several bar associations collaborate with TYLA local affiliates, law firms, American Inns of Court and Rotary Clubs to convene for joint meetings for these presentations. To schedule an Access to Justice Speakers Bureau presentation, contact: atj@texasbar.com or call 512-427-1855.

Technology Training Series

More information coming soon.

Texas Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program

Low salaries coupled with high student loan debt make it increasingly difficult, if not impossible, for lawyers to accept legal aid jobs or stay in those jobs long-term. The Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program (SLRAP) strives to assist attorneys who wish to work in legal aid programs long-term by providing legal aid attorneys with forgivable loans to repay their existing educational loans. More than 90 attorneys now participate in this program which was started in 2003. Their respective employers span 23 different legal services organizations around the state. Complete applications with all supporting materials must be received by March 22, 2010. NOTE: An attorney is ineligible for participation in the SLRAP if he/she graduated before June 1, 2000.

PDFs included on page:

Texas Trial Academy

The Texas Access to Justice Commission is pleased to announce its request for applications for the 2010 Texas Trial Academy for legal services attorneys. The Academy will be a four-day intensive trial advocacy skills training presented by faculty of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers.

Hosted at the University of Texas School of Law in Austin, the training will include live demonstrations of courtroom trial skills by experienced litigators who have distinguished themselves as some of the top trial lawyers in the country. Following each day's demonstration, participants in the Academy will have the opportunity to practice their skills and receive personalized professional critiques designed to develop and refine trial techniques. Topics will include voir dire, opening statement, direct and cross-examination and closing arguments.

Please complete the application which is required and must be received by March 5, 2010 at 5:00 PM. Applicants will be notified by March 12, 2010 if they have been selected.